Hi

I have a student taking part in a food GCSE course. She has a practical assistant to support her during lessons, coursework and practical assessments. The key thing I learnt was to find out what skill the teacher was assessing during each practical. So for example when we were making sausage rolls was it the making of pastry, the meat mixture, the glazing or the baking which was the skill being taught. It turned out to be the baking so she was able to provide ready made pastry. This has allowed us to reduce the amount of skills in each practical and concentrate on what is required.

Thanks, Rebecca.

We have had students and as above made sure they completed the assessed component. We also taught them to ask for the practical assistant to lift pans, wash up and fetch and carry which then can cut time used for non assessed tasks. The main thing was teaching them that they can ask if the practical assistant wasn't able to do it, this was reinforced through lessons and the use of the practical assistant becomes the normal way of working.

thanks - how did the school get around this from JCQ, please?

5.14.3 A practical assistant must not be allowed to carry out physical tasks or demonstrate physical abilities where they form part of the assessment objectives. A practical assistant will not normally be permitted in subjects such as Art & Design, Design & Technology and Music.

is it a case of the school being assertive and writing directly to the exam board to explain the child's circumstances?  Thanks!