Support Documents (TLS/SSD) and In-Class Tests – Advice for Module Leaders, Programme Managers and Personal Tutors. ( Faculty of Science and Environment )

Please note that Teaching and Learning Support documents (TLS) and Student Support Documents (SSD) are provided for students who have been assessed by Disability ASSIST as requiring access to learning support and/or Modified Assessment Provision (MAP).

This information is confidential to the Module Leader/Programme Co-ordinator and to the individual student, however if you feel that it is appropriate to give access to this information to other relevant teaching staff/technical staff, please do so, i.e. if this would be in the student’s interest.

Permission to view these documents must not be given to students under any circumstances.

  1. Information for Module Leaders:

As Module Leader, you have been provided with access to a secure directory which contains the TLS/SSD documents relating to students who have been assessed by Disability ASSIST. The support is detailed on the documents contained in the directories and summarised on the report contained in the “DAS” directory for your School.

In order for you to check if there are any students requiring support or MAP on your module:

  • Open the report entitled “MAP Report by Module” and find your module code (this is contained in the column highlighted in yellow and should be in alpha order).
  • Each line of the worksheet against the module code should note the student name and any modified provision allocated to the student in relation to their examinations. Please note that we are asked to ensure that the modified provision is also applied to the in-class test elements of modules.
  • The list of students identified on this report against modules will also have a TLS/SSD document stored in the directory. There are directories for each stage of the programmes within the School and all TLS/SSD documents are ordered by surname within the directories.
  • In addition to the modified provision allocated in relation to examinations, there may also be other provision and information contained on the TLS/SSD in relation to other aspects of the course and its teaching methods. You are advised to check the documents for students on your modules.

Disability ASSIST constantly assess students so we will add new documents for any newly diagnosed/assessed students to the directories as they are received by the Faculty Office. The report held in the DAS directory will be updated every two weeks to ensure it is as up-to-date as possible.

It is also essential that you follow recommendations for producing documents in an accessible format. Guidance can be found at under “student focussed resources” (document entitled “SENDA Compliance in HE SWANDS.pdf”). It is recommended that you familiarise yourself with other documents and resources available through this site.

  1. Information for Programme Managers/Personal Tutors:
  • In addition to the “MAP Report by Module”, and following suggestions from Programme Managers/Personal Tutors, there is a report entitled “Science and Environment – DAS Assessed Students 2014-2015 Academic Year”, which lists students by School and programme and can be used to identify any students who have been assessed by Disability ASSIST.
  1. In-Class Tests

Arrangements for in-class tests are the responsibility of Module Leaders who are responsible for booking their own rooms (if different from the teaching room). Additional rooms and invigilators should be booked by academic staff however some support can be provided if academic staff have difficulty finding rooms and invigilators. Briefing invigilators and providing each venue with the appropriate stationery is also the Module Leader’s responsibility.

It is good practice to send an email to each student requiring MAPs that have been recommended for exams. In this the student should be encouraged to discuss the nature of any in-class test and their provisions with the person responsible for setting the assessment in order to ascertain whether they will need any or all of the MAPs for particular tests. Any amendments to MAPs should be documented by the student on the RMAP form (a copy of the form is held in the SSD directory). This form should only be completed if the student does NOT require some or all of the MAPS listed on the TLS document. The form must be signed by the student and a copy forwarded to the Deputy Faculty Registrar for filing.

Only provisions already recommended by DAS can be put in place. This is not an opportunity for students to request additional provisions. If the student believes that they should have some provision which does not appear on the list or the provisions listed for them are not correct, then they should be advised to contact DAS as soon as possible.

Some of the most common MAPs are listed below. Should a student have a more complicated MAP which is not listed below and you need advice please contact your Senior Programmes Administrator.

  • Booking a room: Module leaders are responsible for booking their own rooms (if different from the teaching room). This should be done via the online web room bookings facility. In case of difficulties please contact .
  • Own Room: If a student indicates that they do require their own room for an in-class test every effort should be made to accommodate this. It is perfectly acceptable for staff offices to be used for this purpose. Alternatively, please contact for help. The exams scheduler has access to central room bookings and will be able to help source available space.
  • Booking Invigilators: The rules governing the allocation and use of invigilators for formal exams do not apply for in-class tests. It is therefore acceptable for all categories of staff to invigilate in-class tests. The University has a database of trained external invigilators who may be used if required. Requests for external invigilators should be made to a minimum of 2 weeks prior to your test. This will maximise the chance of the team being able to source an appropriate invigilator. Once an invigilator is found the module leader will be passed the contact details and will be required to brief the invigilator directly as to arrangements. External invigilators will need to be paid by the School/Faculty at the invigilator’s contracted hourly rate. Invigilators should submit claim forms either direct to the module leader or to the Faculty Support Office for payment.
  • Supervised Timed Breaks: These would not ordinarily be permitted for in-class tests. If a student insists that they need this provision please be aware that additional invigilators will be required to supervise the breaks.
  • Ergonomic Equipment: This is not normally provided for in-class tests.
  • IT equipment: The provision of IT equipment for MAPs (eg laptops, specialist software) can be complex. If a student requires a lap-top/word processor for an in-class test it is perfectly acceptable for them to use their own equipment.
  • Readers & Scribes: When required the student must be allocated to an own room. Specialist reader/scribes are available through the invigilator database. Please contact

In order to comply with equality legislation we need to ensure that we are providing the facilities/allowances recommended by Disability ASSIST for the students identified. If you envisage any problems in supporting these needs please contact your Senior Programmes Administrator as soon as possible.

The reports contained in the School directories will be updated regularly, depending on the number of new documents received by the Faculty Office, but as these can come in at any time the reports may not be as accurate as required for facilitating the planning of in-class tests etc. If you require an up-to-date report of students with Modified Assessment Provision for any purpose, please contact your Senior Programmes Administrator who will be able to provide a report for your particular module

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