Apprenticeship Handbook 2023/24

Assessment appeals procedure
The appeals procedure exists to assist apprentices
who may require greater understanding or who
may feel dissatisfied with their assessment outcome.
The specific aims of the procedure are to:
● Provide a means for open discussion of assessment
outcomes to ensure a full understanding of
the assessment process and outcomes.
●
●
To provide a supportive context for apprentices
to challenge assessment outcomes
that they feel are unfair or biased.
To provide a procedure to enable swift and
appropriate response so that those apprentices
seeking appeal are not disadvantaged.
The appeals process consists of three stages.
It’s important that these stages are followed, and
all parties are aware of the outcome at each
stage. Wherever possible you should try to seek
a solution through an informal procedure.
Procedure A – Seek clarification (informal)
If you feel that any part of your assessment has been
unfair or has left you feeling confused, you should
discuss this with your trainer/assessor or teacher
- whoever had responsibility for the assessment
activity. Please keep a record of all discussions.
Through discussions it is hoped that an agreement
can be met regarding: The appropriateness of the
assessment outcome, any amendments to the
assessment outcome that may be required and a set
of actions to avoid any further confusions or concerns.
Where the apprentice is dissatisfied with
the outcome of procedure A, the process
must proceed to procedure C.
Procedure B – Seek clarification
through a mediator (informal)
If you fee unable to follow procedure A and approach
the person responsible for the assessment directly
you may wish to seek the help of a mediator.
You should approach your chosen mediator to
explain your concern and seek their agreement
to assist you in discussing the issue. The
mediator may be a fellow student, a member
of staff, your employer or a colleague.
The process and anticipated outcome are the same
as that described in procedure A however, the
mediator can provide support to you in carrying out
your discussions with the trainer/assessor or teacher.
Procedure C – Challenge (formal)
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of
your informal appeal. You may wish to move
to formal proceedings and challenge the
outcome of the assessment decision.
The process is instigated by the apprentice, but
activities are led by the person responsible for quality
assurance of the assessment (the internal verifier).
Within one week of completing procedure A/B you
should contact the Head of Student Services who
will assist you to complete a ‘Student Appeal Against
Assessment Outcome Form’ and will arrange a
meeting with the internal quality assurer/course
leader responsible for quality assurance of assessment
on your apprenticeship. This meeting wherever
possible should take place within two weeks.
The internal quality assurer/course leader will formally
assess all evidence and write to you confirming
their findings within five days of the meeting.
Procedure D – Appeal (formal)
An appeal should be lodged within one
week of completing Procedure C.
The Head of Student Services will arrange an appeals
committee within two weeks. The committee should
comprise of an Independent external and internal
trainer/assessor as well as the apprentice, who may
be accompanied by a friend or colleague. During the
meeting you will be invited to explain your area(s) of
concern and provide evidence in support of your case.
The outcome of the meeting will be communicated
to you within five working days. The possible
outcome of the meeting may be that:
1. The assessment outcomes are upheld
2. Amendments should be made to
the assessment outcome.
As a final stage of the appeal procedure, the college
may contact the awarding body if the apprentice
does not feel their appeal has been resolved. An EQA
will review the assessment and make a judgement.
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