Introduction
This policy sets out the steps our centre, and learners or other personnel must follow when making reasonable adjustments. The College is committed to meeting its duties under the Equality Act 2010 and removing barriers to learning and assessment.
Reviewed October 2026 and next review is September 2027
Definition of Reasonable Adjustment
A reasonable adjustment is any accommodation, change or support that can be given to a learner with a disability, or difficulty, learning or otherwise, that can be applied to their studies and/or their assessments.
This does not include adjustments to marking standards or assessment requirements.
Reasonable Adjustment is different from Special Consideration. Special Consideration is a separate process for learners whose assessment performance has been affected by temporary illness, injury or other adverse circumstances. The relevant awarding or assessment organisation will determine what action is appropriate.
Who are Reasonable Adjustments for?
Some learners may find standard arrangements for learning and/or assessment can create unnecessary barriers. Such barriers can arise when learners have:
- Disabilities
- Learning difficulties
- Temporary Disabilities
- Temporary illness, injury, or adverse circumstances at the time of the assessment that could be detrimental to the learner’s performance.
Learners may request reasonable adjustments at any stage including during application, enrolment or at any point during their programme.
Examples of reasonable adjustment
- Up to 25% extra time for assessment papers and additional time for completing any tutor set tasks
- Provision for rest breaks during assessments
- Provision of a scribe and/or reader, either physically or by technology.
- Moving an assessment date, or allow the examination to take place at the learner’s place of work, under supervision.
Process for Reasonable Adjustment
College staff, Learning Support Advisor and tutors endeavour to identify any learner needs and to aid the learner in requesting adjustments. Reasonable adjustments may cover course content and not just the assessment. Identified support needs and agreed adjustments will be recorded and reviewed throughout their programme.
All requests are reviewed on an individual basis and information received is carefully considered. For apprenticeships, the College will work with the learner and employer, where appropriate, to coordinate support. Employers remain responsible for reasonable adjustments in the workplace.
Learners may be asked to provide relevant evidence of their needs. These can be documents from medical practitioners or educational psychologists, but a formal medical diagnosis is not always required. The College will assess individual requirements and arrange further assessment where necessary. If a learner isn’t sure if something counts as evidence, they should contact the college admin team or Learning Styles Advisor who will be able to give advice.
The College will discuss requests for Reasonable Adjustment with the relevant Awarding Body on a sympathetic and confidential basis.
Appeals against a Reasonable Adjustment decision
If the learner has concerns or disagrees with the Cambridge Marketing College’s decision regarding Reasonable Adjustment in their case, they can follow the procedures laid out in the College's Complaints Policy