This virtual conference is for anyone involved in the access arrangements process who wants to update their knowledge for the 2026/27 academic year. It assumes a working knowledge of the JCQ regulations (for our introductory course, please click here).
For those who would prefer to access our On-Demand Video course at a date of their choosing, please click here.
For those who select the Morning Only option, Caroline Read and Rebecca Thompson (joined by Nick Lait JCQ) will present a live Update/Refresher for the 2026/27 JCQ regulations, set in the context of the changes over the last few years and the regulations as a whole. There will also be the opportunity to take part in a live Q&A.
For those who select the Full Day, in addition to the Update/Refresher for Access Arrangements outlined above, there will be a wide range of pre-recorded seminars focussed on different aspects of the access arrangements process. These seminars will be available to delegates for 2 weeks before, and 2 weeks after the conference date. There will be live Q&A sessions on the conference day, and handouts available to download.
There will also be opportunities to network online with those in similar roles or settings, 1:1 appointments with our experts, and colleagues from the JCQ, as well as time to ask questions of publishers, suppliers and software developers.
Full day delegates will receive access to a recording of the update/refresher training for two weeks following the Conference, so they can revisit the training.
Caroline is one of the founders of Communicate-ed. She is a specialist teacher who has practical experience in all areas of the access arrangements process and trains for local authorities, universities and SEND services. Caroline has contributed to a range of publications, including academic journals. She has worked with a number of publishers to develop tests, and has been involved in various DfE and Ofqual training and policy projects. She was a member of the working party that established the Access Arrangements Online system. In 2024 Caroline was presented with a University of Roehampton Chancellor’s Alumni Award, for Innovation and Inspiration in her industry.
Rebecca is a Specialist Teacher with more than 21 years’ assessment experience. She has a current Assessment Practising Certificate, regularly carrying out diagnostic assessment for dyslexia and dyscalculia, as well as carrying out access arrangement assessments. She is a senior assessor and IQA for the PAPAA course, supporting students with the course demands. She is a member of the APC accreditation team for the BDA and is a SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) approved CPD provider, with current SASC courses for mentoring on diagnostic report writing; building assessment confidence in report writing for SpLD in maths; branching out into EAA: a guide for Level 7/APC holder; and using the SASC 2025 report format for SpLD in maths.
Nick Lait is Chair of the JCQ Special Requirements Committee. His responsibilities include the production of JCQ documents relating to examination administration, such as the JCQ publication Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments and Instructions for Conducting Examinations. Nick provides advice and guidance to schools and colleges, predominately on access arrangements. He has a thorough knowledge of the examination administration system having previously worked with Edexcel for 11 years, in both UK and International exam operations, taking a lead role in the development of Access Arrangements Online.
Seminars will be available on the conference platform from 8th September - 6th October.
Seminar titles for 2026 will include:
Titles are kept up to date at communicate-ed.org.uk/seminars26
The morning conference session is SASC-approved for 3 hours core CPD. Delegates who attend this full session will be emailed a certificate a few days after the conference.
Full day delegates who attend the afternoon Q&A and watch at least one seminar will be eligible for the full day certificate, SASC-approved for 5 hours core CPD.
Live online keynote training session by Caroline Read and Rebecca Thompson (with contribution from Nick Lait JCQ). This will provide comprehensive Update/Refresher Training on the 2026/27 JCQ regulations and procedures, SASC-approved for 3 hours core CPD and including live Q&A
Networking opportunities - Connect with colleagues in similar roles
Two weeks access to the recorded update/refresher training - delegates will also receive access to the recorded version of the update/refresher training for two weeks following the Conference so they can revisit it.
Four weeks access to a range of pre-recorded seminars - A range of seminars on aspects of exam access arrangements, all of which can be accessed for two weeks before, during the conference, and two weeks after the conference. Seminars will include Assistive Technology and Exam Access Arrangements, Extra Time in Exams - Test Areas and Procedures, Examination Access Arrangements - Guidance for Subject Teachers, Supporting Students who are Young Carers and a session on the Woodcock Johnson V. Details of all confirmed seminar titles will be kept up to date here.
Live online Q&A sessions - Opportunities on the conference day to ask any questions arising from seminars
Expo - The facility to view materials from publishers and distributers, with the option to book 1:1 consultations
Individual online appointments with experts - 10-minute slots on the day of the conference, available to book in advance
You can book online using the form below. You can Pay online, or we can supply you with an invoice.
