Appeal Procedures

Assessment within NVQs/RQF/QCF is ongoing with the student/candidate fully participating in the assessment process, e.g., through assessment planning and reviews of performance.

If this participation is taken seriously, then it must be accepted that there will be times when the students / candidates and assessors’ perceptions, of whether agreed evidence (agreed during assessment planning/review stages) meets the standards, are going to be different.

If this occurs, the student/candidate should have the right to appeal via an accessible and open system.
The characteristics of our appeals structure related to NVQs/RQF/QCF will include:

• Access to fair and reliable assessment
• Clear and prompt response times
• Stages that provide all parties with the opportunity to put their case
• Clear outcomes
• Constructive feedback
• Be related to the Student/Candidates assessment records
• A formal recording system
• Evaluation of appeals

Response times to appeals will be measured in days rather than in months or years and not be so bureaucratic as effectively to nullify the purpose of having such a system.

STAGE 1: Lecturer / Assessor and Student / Candidate

Where a student/candidate disagrees with the assessment given, he/she must explain the reasons for this with the assessor concerned, as soon as possible. In the circumstances this will be immediately after receiving the assessment decision.
The lecture / assessor must consider the student / candidate’s explanation explanation and provide an immediate response through:

• A clear explanation/reiteration, as appropriate, of the assessment decision following a re-evaluation of the evidence.
• Completion of Section 1 of the Student/Candidate Appeal form.
• Amendment of the Student/Candidates Assessment Record, if appropriate.
• If the candidate agrees with the decision, then the appeal need not proceed further.
• In case the college has been shut down related to any reason the student will contact the awarding bodies directly.
• In the case of 4 units out of which 3 have been failed by the student and that time the college is shut down, the student can switch to another college and inform the awarding body.
• ⦁ Where the candidate remains unhappy with the decision reached, the appeal must proceed to Stage 2.
• ⦁ The final appeal “is to the awarding body”.

STAGE 2: Internal Verifier Consultation

The lecturer/assessor concerned must forward the original assessment record and student/candidate’s
evidence and the student/candidate appeal form (section I complete) to the internal verifier.

The Internal Verifier must review the assessment decision. This will normally involve an evaluation of:

• The student/candidate evidence and associated records
• The lecturer/assessor’s rationale for the decision
• The opinion of another lecturer/assessor
• The opinion of the candidate

In doing so the internal verifier must complete Section 2 of the Student/Candidate Appeal Form and provide the candidate with the reconsidered decision within 5 working days of receiving the appeal.

If the candidate disagrees with the decision, the internal verifier must inform the external verifier that there is an unresolved appeal. The external verifier will review the evidence from Stage 1 and Stage 2 and provide the student/candidate the reviewed decision within 5 working days.

Where the candidate remains unhappy with the reconsidered assessment decisions, appeal must proceed to Stage 3.

STAGE 3: External Verifier Review

Where candidates remain unhappy with the decision made at Stage 2, they will have the right to forward
their case to the External Verifier. The Internal Verifier concerned at stage 2 must forward relevant
details to the relevant awarding body external verifier. These should include:

• Candidate Appeal Form – appropriate sections completed
• Assessment Record Sheet(s)
• Any written comments of the Internal Verifier (perhaps providing background details)

Records of all appeals are to be logged and made available as appropriate to:

• The External Verifier
• The Centre Co-Ordinator
• The NVQ/RQF/QCF Programme Team with responsibility for assessment

The following documents should be attached to this procedure:

• Student/Candidate appeal form – SECTIONS 1, 2 & 3
  The appeal form will facilitate the candidate, assessor and the internal verifier/external verifier to formally record their evidence in the event of an appeal. Alternatively, an appeal can be lodged by letter. The letter should contain the following information, candidate name, lecturer/assessor name, date of assessment, the circumstances for requesting an appeal, any initial decision taken by the assessor and a formal request to move the appeal to Stage 2 of the appeals procedure.

Monitoring and Review

CCL will seek to assess of its impact of its policies on staff/candidates to ensure that real improvements are being made in tackling discrimination and promoting diversity.