Support at school should follow need, not paperwork. The most effective adjustments for ADHD are small, specific and consistent — and most of them cost nothing.
Adjustments to ask for by name
- Seating near the teacher, away from doors, windows and walkways.
- Instructions given one step at a time and written on the board.
- A task broken into visible chunks with a check-in after each one.
- Legitimate movement: handing out books, a job between tasks, a movement break.
- Extra time to start work, and a discreet cue to re-engage.
- Homework recorded by the teacher or photographed, not copied from the board.
- A named adult to check in with at the start and end of the day.
How to run a productive SENCO meeting
A structured meeting produces a written plan rather than sympathy.
- 1
Before
Send a short written summary in advance: three specific difficulties, with examples and dates, plus your screening profile.
- 2
Opening
Agree the shared goal — what a good school day looks like for your child.
- 3
Middle
Ask for named adjustments, not general goodwill. Reference the SEND Code of Practice and the graduated approach.
- 4
End
Ask for the adjustments and review date in writing, and who is accountable for each.
- 5
After
Follow up by email the same week summarising what was agreed, and diarise the review.
Exam access arrangements
For older children, access arrangements such as extra time, rest breaks or a separate room are decided by the school based on a demonstrated 'normal way of working' and evidence of need. Raise it well before exam years, not weeks before, because the evidence has to be built up over time.
If progress stalls
- 1Ask for the graduated approach to be documented: assess, plan, do, review.
- 2Request involvement from external services the school can access, such as an educational psychologist or specialist teacher.
- 3Ask what would trigger an application for an Education, Health and Care needs assessment.
- 4Keep every agreement and review in writing.
Frequently asked questions
- Does my child need a diagnosis to get support at school?
- No. Schools should provide support based on identified need under the SEND framework, and you can request adjustments at any point.
- Who is the SENCO?
- The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator — the member of staff responsible for coordinating support for children with additional needs.
- Can we get extra time in exams for ADHD?
- Access arrangements are possible where there is evidence of need and it reflects the child's normal way of working. Raise it early with the school.
Free · 8 minutes · No sign-up
Screen your child in eight minutes
Answer 22 questions based on recognised diagnostic criteria and get a written profile you can take to your GP or a private clinician.
Start the ADHD screening