As schools and colleges face increasing pressure to meet the needs of learners while balancing staffing and budget constraints, the question often arises:

“Should we handle access arrangements in-house or bring in a freelance assessor?”

Having worked across multiple schools and colleges, I see firsthand how freelance assessment support fills a gap and can enhance the quality, compliance, and efficiency of provision. I am the founder of Inclusion Compass and The EAA Assessor, leading a team of experienced assessors who offer flexible, specialist support.

We not only complete Form 8s, but also offer diagnostic dyslexia assessments, evidence-based educational reports for students, and workplace needs assessments for the entire school workforce.

Here are the reasons why more schools are turning to freelance support.

1. You Only Pay for What You Need

No on-costs, no long-term contracts. You commission our services when needed, which means:

·       No pension or National Insurance contributions

·       No CPD or exam board training expenses

·       There is no expense of renewing assessment kits every year.

·       You pay for high-quality work delivered—nothing more.

2. Flexibility and Scale

Whether you need support with five assessments or fifty, we can flex to match demand. Our small team expands during peak periods, offering capacity exactly when you need it most (especially January–March).

3. Access to a Broad Range of Assessments

We invest heavily in up-to-date, compliant assessment materials that many schools cannot afford to purchase outright. This enables us to select the most suitable assessments for each learner, rather than relying on a limited selection.

4. More Than Just Form 8s

Alongside exam access arrangements, we offer:

·       Diagnostic dyslexia assessments

·       Evidence-based educational reports with classroom-ready recommendations

·       Workplace needs assessments for all school-based staff: teachers, teaching assistants, administrative colleagues, and any team member.

These services support compliance and your broader inclusion and wellbeing strategies.

5. Independent, Professional Judgement

External assessors provide a valuable level of objectivity, particularly in complex or borderline cases. They avoid internal bias and ensure evidence led decisions.

6. No Extra Burden on SENCOs

Our work will relieve pressure on your internal team, freeing up SENCOs and inclusion leads to focus on EHCPs, reviews, and day-to-day student support. We also provide a mini-report that can inform your teaching plans for students.

7. Consistent, Personal Service

You will work with the same small team throughout. We take time to understand your setting, learners, and processes. That continuity builds trust and leads to better outcomes.

Final Thought: It is About Quality, Not Just Capacity

Whether you are a mainstream secondary, an FE college, or a training provider working with apprentices, exams access arrangements need to be robust, defensible, and fair. Schools do not always have the time, tools, or expertise in-house to make that happen, but that is where freelance assessors like us can help.

If your internal team is stretched or you want to improve the quality and consistency of your assessment provision, let’s have a conversation.

We help you support your learners and staff with clarity, compliance, and care.

Barry Wheller

Founder of The EAA Assessor & Inclusion Compass

Exams Access Arrangements Assessor and Workplace Needs Assessor

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