Definition
For the purpose of this policy, assessment is taken to include Pre and Post 16 programmes where assessed work contributes towards external Awarding Body accreditation.
Rationale
We believe that each student has the right to appeal against an assessment decision if she/he feels that a decision is unfair. The Policy is part of our overall quality assurance framework.
Grounds for Appeal
All students should be aware of their right to appeal against an assessment decision on the following grounds:
• The student disagrees with the assessor’s decision on assessment
• The student is not satisfied with the result of an assessment
• The student is not satisfied with the number of re-assessment opportunities offered
• The student is not satisfied with the time allowed for assessment
• The student’s feels that they achieved the required criteria of the awarding body
Appeals Procedure
Each Awarding Body publishes procedures for appeals against its decisions. The Assistant Principal (Director of The Skills Academy) will be able to advise students of these procedures.
Appeals may be made to Lees Brook Academy – Post 16 The Skills Academy regarding procedures used in internal assessment, but not the actual marks or grades submitted by the school for moderation by the Awarding Body.
Students wishing to appeal against the procedures used in internal assessments should contact the Assistant Principal (Director of The Skills Academy) or Departmental Internal Verifier as soon as possible to discuss the appeal. The Assistant Principal (Director of The Skills Academy) will inform the student of the appeals procedure. This is outlined below:
Stage 1 – Informal Discussion and Resolution
A student who is unhappy with the outcome of assessment should discuss the matter as soon as possible with the member of staff who was directly involved. In the case of an overall course, or unit grade, it may be more appropriate for the student to discuss the concern with another member of the teaching team or Departmental Internal Verifier.
The member of staff approached by the student will respond and both have the opportunity to reach an agreement through discussion. This informal stage of the procedure should be completed within 5 school days of the student first raising his/her dissatisfaction with the assessment.
A student should not normally proceed to the next stage of the appeal until this informal attempt at resolution has been made.
The student may be reassessed on the same areas of assessment that the appeal concerns.
Stage 2 – Assessment Appeals Form
If the attempt to resolve the concern informally has failed, the student should submit a completed Assessment Appeals Form within 5 school days of receiving the member of staff’s response at the informal stage. The completed Assessment Appeals Form should be submitted to the Assistant Principal (Director of The Skills Academy) and the Departmental Internal Verifier.
When the Assistant Principal (Director of The Skills Academy) receives the completed form he or she will consider the student’s appeal and, if necessary, ensure that the work is re-assessed. The outcome of this stage of the appeal, including the results of any re-assessment of the work, will be discussed with the student and with the member of staff who made the original assessment. In any event, the Assistant Principal (Director of The Skills Academy) will confirm the outcome of this stage of the appeal to the student, in writing, within 10 school days of receiving the completed Assessment Appeals Form.
Copies of the Assessment Appeals Form are available from your tutor.
Stage 3 – Further Review of Appeal
If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of Stage 2 of this procedure, he/she should write, within 10 school days, to the Assistant Principal (Director of The Skills Academy) requesting a review of the Appeal. At this stage, all aspects of the student’s appeal will be reviewed and the student will be notified of the outcome, in writing, within 10 school days of receipt of the request for a review.
Normally, the outcome of this stage of the appeal is final. However, if the work in question is part of an externally accredited qualification, the student should be aware that external awarding bodies have their own appeals procedures, which may be applied in appropriate circumstances and an External Verifier will make an informed decision.
