Julie Jones

 Julie holds a Level 7 Postgraduate Award of Proficiency in Assessment for Access Arrangements (PAPAA) and has over 20 years' experience working within SEND across mainstream and specialist educational settings. Her experience includes supporting learners with a wide range of needs, including specific learning difficulties (SpLD), ADHD, autism, SEMH needs, communication difficulties and processing and working memory difficulties.

Having worked as a Testing and Assessment Lead and Assistant SENCO, Julie has extensive practical knowledge of SEND provision and understands the demands placed on busy SENCOs and their teams. She works collaboratively with SENCOs, Teaching Assistants, teachers, examinations staff and SEND administrators, providing guidance and practical support with assessment, evidence gathering, record keeping and the implementation of appropriate support for learners.

Julie has particular expertise in exam access arrangements and regularly supports schools, colleges and private examination centres with the identification and assessment of learners who may require reasonable adjustments. This includes advising centres on establishing a candidate's normal way of working, gathering appropriate evidence from teaching staff, completing the relevant JCQ documentation and helping centres maintain clear and robust evidence in preparation for inspection.

For the past five years, Julie has worked independently as a specialist assessor and is commissioned by schools, colleges and examination centres across the West Midlands. Her work now encompasses learners across secondary, post-16 and adult education, allowing her to bring experience of a wide range of educational settings and learner needs.

Julie undertakes regular professional development and keeps her knowledge of SEND practice, assessment and current JCQ Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments regulations up to date. Her approach is collaborative and supportive, with a particular focus on reducing the administrative burden on SENCOs and SEND teams while ensuring that learners receive appropriate support and centres remain compliant.