Girl wins right to use iPod in exams

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A schoolgirl has won the right to listen to an iPod while sitting her exams - after threatening to sue her school.

 

The Edinburgh pupil claimed listening to music helps her concentrate during exams, reports The Sun.

 

At first the sixth former's demand was rejected by Mary Erskine School and the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

 

But they were forced to back down after being threatened with legal action under the Equalities Act.

 

Teachers will load her favourite tracks on to a new iPod to ensure it doesn't contain study notes.

 

The pupil, who hasn't been named, suffers from autism and attention deficit disorder. She'll sit in a separate area so the noise doesn't disturb other pupils.

 

Nick Seaton, of the Campaign for Real Education, added: "This is ridiculous. Exams lose their integrity if some children are treated differently from the others."

 

Linda Moule, deputy head of Mary Erskine School, said they lifted the restriction due to a "special arrangement".

 

An SQA spokesman added: "This decision sets no precedents. We treat all requests for special arrangements on their individual merits."

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[Andy_1984]

it would certainly work for her but its unfair for the other students as its a clear advantage listening to music so her claim over equality is absolute rubbish, would other students be allowed to listen to an ipod, unlikely.

 

its already been studied and that children pay more attention when classical music was played in class.

 

i know myself i do my work faster if i have some easy listening music on.

Edited May 25, 2011 by Andy_1984

[Newt]

The pupil, who hasn't been named, suffers from autism and attention deficit disorder.

 

What rubbish. Next thing you know blind students will be demanding materials in braille and hearing impaired students will demand to be allowed to wear a hearing aid.

 

Why should this student be allowed assistive technology that allows him/her to concentrate better and perform decently on an exam? One would almost think the purpose of education is to prepare people to find a productive job or something equally silly.

[Chris Goddard]

Absolute codswallop!

[Huge_Vitae]

What rubbish. Next thing you know blind students will be demanding materials in braille and hearing impaired students will demand to be allowed to wear a hearing aid.

 

Why should this student be allowed assistive technology that allows him/her to concentrate better and perform decently on an exam? One would almost think the purpose of education is to prepare people to find a productive job or something equally silly.

Absolute rubbish Newt, we have a guy here who has been blind since birth, he keeps setting records by doing things, his latest was to 'fly' a Hovercraft across the Solent to raise money. He was 'allowed' to have a qualified Pilot at his side to 'assist' him, bloody rubbish and pandering, if I wanted to 'fly' a hovercraft across the Solent, I bet they wouldn't let a blind qualified Pilot help me, how fair is that?

[Ken L]

One would almost think the purpose of education is to prepare people to find a productive job or something equally silly

 

Strangely, I can't think of many jobs where she will be able to listen to an i-Pod whilst at work.

[corydoras]

i know myself i do my work faster if i have some easy listening music on.

Perry Como? Val Doonican? Sydney Devine? Patsy Kline? We should be told

[corydoras]

Strangely, I can't think of many jobs where she will be able to listen to an i-Pod whilst at work.

NHS Switchboard Operator

[Worms]

It's unfortunate when people are disabled, for whatever reason. It is good when disabilities are recognised and assistance is given to help those that are disabled to live as normal a life as possible.

 

To threaten a school with legal action, a school that we all pay for (It's compulsory Newt, it's not an insurance 'choice'), because a person that, with the best will in the world, may not be able to achieve success in fields that a non disabled person can is, in my opinion a complete cheek.

 

If you are 'able-bodied' (read non disabled....sorry, not up with the latest PC ****s) and you are not able to do the job then you don't get the job. If you are unable to do a job for any reason then you shouldn't get it. You could be taking a job from somebody that has the skills to do that job and has had to rely on their own graft to get that far.

 

You can't 'make' a person that is 'unsuitable', 'right' for the job through legislation. To penalise the rest of the country's workforce (sueing a school)because one person out of 60 million has a particular requirement is.....to put it mildly....quaint (****ing stupid)

Edited May 25, 2011 by Worms

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Right then, I am registered disabled, blind and I have aspergers, but would I expect any preferential treatment from anyone, NO. I choose to live life as fully as pssible, which it seems the person in the report does, so he/she should abide by the rules of the school, if they wanted to be treat differently they should have chosen to go to a "specialised" school, one which would be set up to meet ALL their requrirements, one which they would not feel the need to take to court.