Exam season can place enormous pressure on schools. Staff have to organise access arrangements, timetable rooms, and ensure that staff and students feel confident using approved technology.

In this blog, we explore how schools can streamline their approach to exams by embedding technology as part of everyday practice, and the steps that schools can take to ensure they have a seamless exam season with DocsPlus.

What you need from an exam tool	Why DocsPlus is the answer
JCQ & SQA compliant	Use as a computer reader, scribe, and word processor in line with regulations.
No internet required	Work fully offline – ideal for exam conditions.
Customisable student settings	Access pre-saved student preferences (voice, font, colours, etc.).
Coloured overlays & font choices	Adjust font size, style, colour, and personalised background colours for accessibility.
Text-to-speech	Read questions or answers aloud with synchronised highlighting.
Variable speech speed	Fully adjustable to suit processing speed and preference.
Writing support	Exam-safe word processor with optional word prediction, spell-check, and voice notes (can be turned off for exams).
Read PDFs	Open and read PDFs directly within DocsPlus – ideal for digital papers or modified materials.
No switching between programs	Dual-view: read and write in one window – no distractions or extra software.
Auto-save & backup	Keeps work safe in Exam Mode – it makes a new backup of the Document every minute.
Simple candidate management	Add and manage student details directly within DocsPlus.

Utilising IT support and training through the DocsPlus technical team

Our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to help throughout your subscription with all things IT. We offer exam support meetings to help schools and exam centres effectively integrate DocsPlus into their exam environments. The meetings cover key areas such as installation and setup, exam day considerations, and personalised student support. You can also book a technical support meeting around your schedule to address any specific technical issues.

Training for teachers and support staff

When investing in a DocsPlus subscription, it's essential that staff and teaching assistants are confident in using the software to its full potential. A bespoke, focused training session can empower staff to support students more effectively during exams, especially those with access arrangements. Our Flexi-subscriptions now include unlimited online training sessions with our DocsPlus experts*. You can choose what you want the session to cover, and tailor the length of the session to your needs. For example, if you know lots of students will be using the DocReader, you can arrange a session to ensure that staff are confident using it and instructing students how to do so.

*Subject to our fair use policy.

Reducing invigilator stress

We know that exams are stressful for students, but we often forget about the invigilators and exam teams working tirelessly to ensure a seamless exam season. Here at Crick Software, we understand the importance of both training and support for key staff and stakeholders involved in the exam process. You can utilise your unlimited training sessions to support invigilators and exam support staff with their bespoke challenges.

Reducing room and resource demand

Almost every school I have spoken to has found it difficult to timetable exams. A common problem is room shortages and lack of space. This can sometimes result in moving regular lessons or using staff offices.  If this sounds like a familiar problem, DocsPlus is your answer. With DocsPlus, your students who use support tools can complete their exams in the same room as students who don’t. No need for extra rooms.

Ensuring exam arrangements are a ‘normal way of working’

One of the most significant changes to JCQ guidance is the importance placed on exam access arrangements being a ‘normal way of working’ for students before the exam season. This isn't particularly feasible in the case of readers and scribes. However, iPads, laptops, and Chromebooks can easily be integrated into regular lessons. Students can use DocsPlus as they learn the content and simply switch to exam mode when it’s time to sit assessments.

If you’d like to learn more about using DocsPlus in exams, you can read our blogs:

• How DocsPlus helps students tackle revision and exam stress
  
  
• How DocsPlus can support SENCos with the new JCQ updates
  
  
• Embedding technology as students’ normal way of working

Before joining Crick Software, I was a headteacher at a primary school and witnessed the fantastic impact anchor charts made when we introduced them to our teaching and learning practice. These graphic aids consistently proved themselves as valuable tools to staff as they modelled individual small steps within a lesson and empowered pupils to take ownership of their learning.

What are anchor charts?

Anchor charts are essentially large, visually appealing displays that contain key information, strategies, or reminders related to a particular topic or lesson. They are typically created collaboratively with pupils during or after a lesson, making the learning process interactive and empowering for young learners. These charts are then prominently displayed in the classroom, serving as a constant reminder of the material covered and providing a reference point for pupils to revisit as needed. 

The power of anchor charts

Visual reinforcement: Young learners often benefit from visual aids to reinforce concepts and ideas. Anchor charts provide a colourful and engaging way to present information, making abstract concepts more tangible and easier to understand. 

Reference tools: In the fast-paced environment of a classroom, pupils may forget key details or strategies discussed during a lesson. Anchor charts serve as organised reminders that pupils can glance at whenever they need a reminder, helping to reinforce learning and build independence. 

Promoting collaboration: By involving pupils in the creation of anchor charts, teachers foster a sense of ownership and collaboration within the classroom. Pupils feel invested in the learning process and are more likely to engage with the material when they see their contributions displayed. 

Encouraging reflection: Reflecting on their learning is an important skill for pupils to develop. Anchor charts provide a visual record of what has been covered in class, allowing pupils to reflect on their progress and identify areas where they may need additional support. 

Clicker Boards: Interactive anchor charts for the digital classroom

Using Clicker Boards, teachers can easily create customisable anchor charts with the option to incorporate multimedia elements such as images, videos, and audio recordings. Furthermore, Clicker Boards can be easily shared with pupils and staff digitally to access at home, share best practice or print to include in workbooks.  

Here are some examples of how you can use a Clicker Board as an anchor chart: 

LearningGrids: A treasure trove of anchor chart templates

For teachers looking to use Clicker Boards as anchor charts, LearningGrids is a valuable resource. It has a wide range of pre-made templates for creating interactive anchor charts across various subjects and year groups. 

LearningGrids’ Clicker Board templates can be easily customised to suit the needs of each classroom, saving teachers valuable time and effort in creating engaging anchor charts with their class.  

Anchor charts are great tools that visually reinforce classroom lessons and help students remember and reflect on key ideas. With tools like Clicker Boards and resource banks like LearningGrids, teachers can make anchor charts even more fun and accessible, creating an interactive and engaging learning experience. 

Want to explore how Clicker can support the teaching and learning in your school? 

• Talk to our friendly team: info@cricksoft.com 
• Watch our on-demand webinars to see Clicker in action 
• Read our Clicker success stories to learn how schools are using Clicker to boost writing outcomes and pupils’ confidence