Accademic Appeals and procedures

If the learner believes that their assessment has not been marked and graded in a fair manner, then they may lodge an appeal. The learner shall be entitled to appeal if they believe that the assessment of their submitted work is unfair.

This may be regarding:

• Assessment access
• Assessment method
• Assessment decision

The Appeals procedure will:

• Allow learners to raise concern without fear of disadvantage and with the assurance that their privacy will be respected
• Ensure that its procedures are fair and decisions are appropriate and that the appeals will be dealt with in a timely manner, using simple and transparent
  procedures
• Ensure that appropriate remedial action is implemented The Appeal process will be based on stages

Stage 1 – Raising a concern (Informal Appeal)

• If a learner feels that there is a reason to challenge an assessment decision he/she should approach the assessor to discuss the issue in the first instance, clearly explaining the disagreement in detail.
• If an agreement cannot be reached then the Internal Verifier who was involved will be asked to intervene, consider the views of both parties and make an appropriate decision.
• If the matter remains unresolved, the learner may request a personal interview with the Course Coordinator.
• If the candidate remains dissatisfied after the action taken by the Course Coordinator, they should proceed to Stage 2 of the procedure

Stage 2 – Formal Appeal

• The learner should submit the Appeals form and a written notice of appeal to the Programme Coordinator within 10 days of a meeting with the Course Coordinator. On receipt of the appeals notice the Programme Coordinator should immediately inform the Training Manager and will convene a meeting with Assessment Team at a mutually convenient date and time. The meeting will consist of three members none of whom was
  involved in the original assessment. The members of the team are
  • Appropriate manager as chairperson
  • The Internal verifier
  • The original assessor
  • Another staff member with programme area knowledge who was involved in the learner’s assessment

  The team will consider the submitted evidence and subsequently will decide on a course of action which may be the following:

  • • Confirming  (upholding) the assessment decision made by the original assessor
    • Call for a re-assessment of the work by another assessor

  A written record of the panel meeting will be made and the outcome will be communicated to
  the learner within 7 working days by the Training Manager

Stage 3 – 2nd Re appeal

If the appeal has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the learner, they may request a review of the decision. They need to specify clearly in writing to the Centre Head, with supporting explanation and evidence. The Centre Head will reconsider the evidence presented and take advice from other relevant senior staff where necessary.

The final outcome will be advised to the learner in writing within 10 days.

Completion of the Appeals Procedure

Once the THD’s appeals procedure has been completed, an Appeals Procedure Completion letter is provided to the learner confirming completion of the appeals procedure. At this stage, outcomes in relation to the appeals decision are implemented.

Retention of records

All records relating to academic appeals is retained confidentially, for a period of five years after a case has been settled.