Access Arrangements Co-ordinator/Assessor

Deer Park School; Southampton; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site car park

Leisure Centre membership

Public sector pension scheme

Cycle-to-Work scheme

Good transport links

Job summary

Deer Park School in England is seeking an Access Arrangements Co-ordinator/Assessor to manage exam adjustments for SEND students, ensuring JCQ compliance and fair assessment. The role is 30 hours per week, term time only, with 38 weeks per year.

You will oversee referrals, coordinate assessments, liaise with teachers, SENCO and exams staff, and provide training on JCQ rules and arrangements. The Trust offers supportive colleagues, pension benefits, and on-site facilities.

Qualifications

• Experience in an educational setting, SEND or exams department preferred.
• Understanding of JCQ regulations and Equality Act 2010 is advantageous.
• Willingness to complete Level 7 qualification support.

Responsibilities

• Administration & Management: manage access arrangements process and records; prepare evidence for JCQ inspections.
• Assessment & Identification: identify students needing access arrangements and coordinate assessments.
• Liaison & Communication: contact students, parents, staff; advise on normal ways of working with staff.
• Compliance & Training: ensure procedures meet JCQ rules; deliver training to staff and invigilators.
• Facilitating student support and access arrangements in exams and lessons as required.

Skills

Administration

Organisation

Communication

JCQ regs

Education

Level 7 postgraduate specialist assessment qualification (e.g., CPT3A)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Access Arrangements Co-ordinator/Assessor - 30 hours per week, 8.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday, term time only (38 weeks). Grade D - Step 1 Actual Annual Salary £19,508.51 (which is equivalent to a full time salary of £28,696).

As part of our commitment to staff wellbeing RAISE Education Trust is trialling a two week half term break 19th to 30th October 2026. Following this trial, should the Trust revert back to a one-week October half term break from 2027 the contractual working weeks would increase to 39 weeks and the salary would increase accordingly.

Deer Park School is a new, state of the art, seven-form secondary school which opened in September 2021. At present there are just under 1,000 students on roll across Yr7, 8, 9, 10 & 11. We are part of the RAISE Education Trust, which comprises of Deer Park Secondary School, Wildern Secondary School and Boorley Park Primary School. We will have a PAN of 1,050 when full.

As we embark on our next phase of growth, we are seeking to appoint new members to our team to support us on our journey to excellence. We strive to provide an exceptional educational experience for every student. Our values and culture of ambition, excellence, kindness, inclusion and community underpin this vision.

An Access Arrangements Co-ordinator/Assessor is responsible for overseeing and managing the process of providing exam adjustments for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring compliance with the regulations set by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). This role is crucial in ensuring that students receive the support they need to demonstrate their abilities fairly in exams.

Key Responsibilities:

The main duties of an Access Arrangements Co-ordinator typically include:

• Administration & Management: You'll manage the entire access arrangements process, from initial referrals and screenings to the final submission of applications. This involves organising and maintaining meticulous student records and files, ensuring all necessary evidence is collected and stored securely for potential JCQ inspections.
• Assessment & Identification: A key part of the job is identifying students who may need access arrangements. This can involve liaising with teachers, parents, and students, as well as conducting assessments (e.g., for reading speed or comprehension).
• Liaison & Communication: You'll act as the main point of contact for all stakeholders regarding access arrangements. This includes communicating with students and their parents, providing guidance to teaching staff on the "normal way of working" for students, and working closely with the school's exams officer and SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) to ensure a smooth process.
• Compliance & Training: The role requires a deep understanding of the JCQ regulations, as well as any other relevant legislation, like the Equality Act 2010. You'll be responsible for ensuring all applications and procedures adhere to these rules and for staying up to date with any changes. You may also provide training to other staff members and students, like invigilators, readers, or scribes, on how to correctly facilitate these arrangements.
• Facilitating student support and access arrangements in both exams and lessons as required

Essential Skills & Qualifications:

To be successful in this role, you'll need a strong mix of administrative, interpersonal, and specialised skills. While some job postings may provide training, here are some common requirements:

• Experience: Experience working in an educational setting, especially within a SEND or exams department, is highly desirable. Experience specifically with access arrangements and JCQ regulations is a significant advantage.
• Qualifications: As part of our commitment to professional development within the RAISE Education Trust, we will support the successful candidate to complete a Level 7 postgraduate specialist assessment qualification (such as the CPT3A - Proficiency in Assessment for Access Arrangements or an equivalent approved route). This will allow you to gain expertise in administering, scoring, and interpreting nationally standardised psychometric tests (evaluating areas such as cognitive processing speed, reading, spelling, and writing) on a 1-to-1 basis and group setting.
• Skills: Excellent organisational, administrative, and IT skills are a must for this role. You'll also need strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively manage relationships with a wide range of people. The ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines, particularly during exam periods, is also crucial.

Benefits of working for our trust include:

• Friendly and sociable colleagues.
• Free on-site car park.
• Staff membership rates to our modern on-site Leisure Centre.
• Enrolment in one of the UK's Largest public sector pension schemes.
• A tax efficient Cycle-to-Work scheme through salary sacrifice.
• Good transport links.

We are part of the RAISE Education Trust which comprises of Wildern School, Deer Park Secondary School and Boorley Park Primary School. Our staff form a collective team that makes a difference to the lives of our students. This is an exciting time for the trust and all colleagues present and future.

If you currently work in a school, please ensure one of your references is from your current Headteacher.

Closing Date: Midday, Monday 2nd November 2026.

RAISE Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.