A fair education has no barriers

Our aim at Cambridge OCR is straightforward. To create an assessment experience that allows every student to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills.

What do we mean by accessible? It means removing unnecessary barriers so students can fully demonstrate their knowledge and skills without disadvantage caused by the assessment itself.

Accessibility is not a separate workstream bolted on at the end. It’s built in from the moment a qualification is designed. Our accessibility framework ensures we develop qualifications and assessments that are clear, consistent and straightforward.

Making assessment straightforward in a shield

Clear plain English language
Consistent structure, visual indicators and terminology
Careful management of cognitive demand
Logical structure and sequencing
Clear understanding of what students are being asked to do/show
Fair access, regardless of background or learning differences
Clearly defined and inclusive specification content
Accurate sample assessment materials and practice papers

Franklin Sixth Form College

"Flexibility in assessment gives students the opportunity to achieve their very best."

Hornsea School and Language College

"There’s no ambiguity, so students know what’s being asked and can produce their best work."

Repton School

"Subject advisor advice is readily available, and teacher guidance and support are always there when needed."

Bromsgrove School

"Consistency of structure and language gives our students real confidence."

St Paul's School

"What Cambridge OCR does really well is choose contexts that are accessible for any young person."

Brockenhurst College

"The mark schemes are very clear and help students understand exactly what they need to do."

Brockenhurst College

"Through a sense of diversity and inclusivity, Cambridge OCR removes barriers and allows all students to achieve."

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Franklin Sixth Form College

"Cambridge OCR is very fair and equitable in how students are assessed. Their approach to assessment fits with our ethos as a college."

Download the case study

Hornsea School and Language College

"The language is always clear. There’s no ambiguity, so students know what’s being asked and can produce their best work."

Download the case study

Bromsgrove School

"Questions are much more straightforward, and there’s much less clutter. We really value the expert support and advice."

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St Paul's School

"If teachers can access resources easily, it means we can use them more effectively, and students benefit from that straight away."

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Repton School

"The papers are well laid out and clear to read, allowing all students full access."

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Resources and materials

Cambridge OCR leads the way in accessibility, and we continually review and refine our approach to ensure no student faces unnecessary barriers. Accessibility isn’t just a word we say, or something we’re unclear on. Combining teacher and sector insight with Cambridge research and expertise, we know what accessibility in assessment looks like. And we’re here to deliver it.

Teacher looking over students in classroom

Why accessibility matters for school and college leaders

Read our article, ‘A strategic imperative for school and college leaders’, which explains how removing hidden barriers is not about lowering standards; it makes assessment fairer for every student.

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