university academy warrington examination policy · university academy warrington examination...
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University Academy Warrington Examination Policy
Principle
At University Academy Warrington, students will gain the best qualifications
recognised by all to credit their achievements and learning
Purpose
• To ensure the planning and management of examinations is conducted
efficiently and in the best interest of candidates.
• to ensure the operation of an efficient examination system with clear
guidelines for all relevant staff
Implementation
Head of Centre
Overall responsibility for the school as an exam centre:
• advises on appeals and re-marks
• the head of centre is responsible for reporting all suspicions or actual
incidents of malpractice. Refer to the JCQ document Suspected malpractice
in examinations and assessments.
The Examination Officer is responsible for
• Advising the senior leadership team, subject and class tutors and other
• relevant support staff on annual examination timetables and application
• procedures as set by the various awarding bodies.
• Overseeing the production and distribution to staff, governors and
candidates
• of an annual calendar for all examinations in which candidates will be
• involved and communicates regularly with staff concerning imminent
• deadlines and events.
• Ensuring all rooms used for examinations adhere to the ‘Instructions for
• Conduct of Examinations’ and are selected to maximise the opportunity for
students to conduct their examinations with minimal disturbance.
• Production of examination timetables and seating lists
• Ensuring that candidates and their parents are informed of and understand
those aspects of the examination timetable that will affect them.
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• Ensuring that candidates are informed of the rules and regulations that
apply to examinations and all forms of assessment
• Consulting with Heads of Department to ensure that necessary coursework
is completed on time and in accordance with Awarding Body guidelines.
• Providing and confirming detailed data on estimated entries.
• Receiving, checking and storing securely all examination papers and •
completed scripts.
• Administering access arrangements and making applications for special
consideration using the JCQ publications: Access arrangements, reasonable
adjustments and special consideration.
• Identifying and managing examination timetable clashes.
• Accounting for income and expenditures relating to all examination
costs/charges.
• Line managing the examination invigilators.
• Submitting candidates' coursework marks, tracking despatch and any other
material required by the appropriate awarding bodies correctly and on
schedule.
• Arranging for dissemination of examination results and certificates to
candidates and forwarding, in consultation with the SLT, any appeals/re-
mark requests.
• Maintaining systems and processes to support the timely entry of candidates
for their examinations.
• Informing the Senior Leader of malpractice in Examination rooms and in
internal assessment.
• Entering s for individual units, whether assessed by controlled assessment,
external exam or on-screen test, before the deadline for final entries.
• Entering s' 'cash-in' codes for the terminal exam series.
• Where confidential materials are directly received by the exams office, to be
responsible for receipt, safe storage and safe transmission, whether in CD or
hard copy format.
• On the few occasions where controlled assessment cannot be conducted in
the classroom arrange suitable accommodation where controlled
assessment can be carried out, at the direction of the senior leadership
team.
• Enter s for individual units, whether assessed by controlled assessment,
external exam or on-screen test, before the deadline for final entries.
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The Senior Leader with responsibility for Examinations is responsible for
• The line management of the Examinations Officer
• Adherence to statutory regulations by the Examinations Officer
• Ensuring value for money in the Examinations budget
• Recruitment and training of Examination invigilators
• Investigating and informing Awarding Bodies in cases of reported
malpractice
• Accountable for the safe and secure conduct of controlled assessments.
Ensure assessments comply with JCQ guidelines and awarding bodies’
subject-specific instructions.
• At the start of the academic year, begin coordinating with heads of
department/subject to schedule controlled assessments. (It is advisable that
controlled assessments be spread throughout the academic years of key
stage 4).
• Map overall resource management requirements for the year. As part of this
resolve:
clashes/ problems over the timing or operation of controlled assessments.
issues arising from the need for particular facilities (rooms, IT networks,
time out of school etc.)
• Ensure that all staff involved have a calendar of events
• Create, publish and update an internal appeals policy for controlled
assessments.
Heads of Department are responsible for
• Choice of awarding body and qualification that will best suit the learners
needs
• Ensuring students are properly prepared for all forms of assessment
• Ensuring students are entered or registered for the correct tier and
qualification
• Ensuring internal and controlled assessment is carried out according to the
awarding body’s specifications
• Decision making on post-results procedures
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• Accurately completing entries, coursework marksheets and declaration
sheets
• Adherence to deadlines set by the Examination Officer
• Storing returned coursework
• Ensure that at least 40% of overall assessment (controlled and/or external
assessment) is taken in the exam series in which the qualification is
certificated, to satisfy the terminal assessment requirement in accordance
with the awarding body specification.
• Standardise internally the marking of all teachers involved in assessing an
internally assessed component.
• Ensure that individual teachers understand their responsibilities with regard
to controlled assessment.
• Ensure that individual teachers understand the requirements of the
awarding body's specification and are familiar with the relevant teachers'
notes, and any other subject specific instructions.
• Where appropriate, develop new assessment tasks or contextualise sample
awarding body assessment tasks to meet local circumstances, in line with
awarding body specifications and control requirements.
Teachers are responsible for
• Ensuring they keep themselves fully informed of the requirements for
assessment
• Prepare students for all forms of assessment
• Identifying malpractice and informing Heads of Department and the
Examination Officer
• Understand and comply with the general guidelines contained in the JCQ
publication Instructions for conducting controlled assessments.
• Understand and comply with the awarding body specification for conducting
controlled assessments, including any subject-specific instructions,
teachers’ notes or additional information on the awarding body’s website.
• Supply to the exams office details of all unit codes for controlled
assessments.
• Obtain confidential materials/tasks set by awarding bodies in sufficient time
to prepare for the assessment(s) and ensure that such materials are stored
securely at all times.
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• Supervise assessments (at the specified level of control). Undertake the tasks
required under the regulations, only permitting assistance to s as the
specification allows.
• Ensure that s and supervising teachers sign authentication forms on
completion of an assessment.
• Mark internally assessed components using the mark schemes provided by
the awarding body. Submit marks through the exams office to the awarding
body when required, keeping a record of the marks awarded.
• Retain candidates’ work securely between assessment sessions (if more than
one).
• Post-completion, retain candidates’ work securely until the closing date for
enquiries about results. In the event that an enquiry is submitted, retain
candidates work securely until the outcome of the enquiry and any
subsequent appeal has been conveyed to the centre.
• Ask the appropriate special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) for any
assistance required for the administration and management of access
arrangements.
The SENCO is responsible for
• Identification and testing of candidates’ requirements for access
arrangements
Invigilators are responsible for
• Invigilating internal and external Examinations in accordance with
‘Instructions for the Conduct of Examinations’
• Attending annual training on Child Protection and ‘Instructions for the
conduct of Examinations’
• Secure transfer of examination material from the Examination Office to
examination rooms and its return.
• Completion of registers and the preparation of completed scripts for
despatch
• Reporting to the Examination Officer any instances of malpractice in the
Examination room
Students are responsible for
• Confirmation of entries and personal details
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• Understanding coursework/controlled assessment regulations and signing a
declaration that authenticates the coursework/controlled assessment as
their own.
• Adherence to the rules and regulations of Public Examinations
Monitoring, Review and Evaluation
The Senior Leader with responsibility for Examinations is accountable for
• Delegated responsibilities as Head of Centre
The Senior Leader with responsibility for Examinations is responsible for
• Analysis of Examination results
• Communication to the Senior Leadership Team and the Governing Body on
the performance of students of University Academy Warrington in Public
Examinations
Senior Leaders are accountable for
• Decisions made within line-managed departments
• Quality control within line-managed departments
Links with other policies
Assessment Recording and Reporting
Child Protection
Charging policy
Appeals
Approvals Signature of Principal: Signature of Chair of Governors:
Date of approval by Governors: 20.3.13 Date of next review: March 2015 Status: Non-Statutory
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Appendices
Appendix A – Qualifications offered at University Academy Warrington
Appendix B – Examination series and associated deadlines
Appendix C – Examination fees and procedures on charging
Appendix D – Disability Discrimination Act, SEN and Access Arrangements
Appendix E – Results, Enquiries about Results and Access to scripts
Appendix F – Procedures
Appendix G – Controlled Assessment
Appendix H - Appeals
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Annex A – Qualifications offered at University Academy Warrington from January
2013
English GCSE English GCSE English Literature GCSE Media Studies Entry Level English Entry Level Creative Media A level English Language & Literature A Level Psychology
AQA AQA WJEC WJEC WJEC WJEC AQA
Maths GCSE Mathematics Linear GCSE Statistics A level Mathematics
Edexcel Edexcel AQA
Science GCSE Science GCSE Triple Science BTEC First Applied Science Level 2 A level Chemistry A level Biology
AQA AQA Edexcel OCR AQA
Humanities GCSE History GCSE Geography GCSE Religious Studies BTEC First Public Services GCSE Business Studies A level History A level Geography Applied A level Business Studies A level Travel & Tourism BTEC National Public Services BTEC First Business Studies
WJEC OCR WJEC EDEXCEL AQA AQA Edexcel AQA AQA EDEXCEL
MFL FCSE Spanish FCSE French GCSE Spanish GCSE French
AQA AQA AQA AQA
Technology GCSE Art GCSE Resistant Materials GCSE Food Technology GCSE Graphic Products BTEC First Art and Design
A level Art BTEC National Art and Design
AQA AQA AQA AQA Edexcel
AQA Edexcel
Performing Arts GCSE Drama GCSE Music GCSE Dance BTEC First Performing Arts BTEC National Photography
Edexcel Edexcel AQA Edexcel Edexcel
ICT OCR Nationals Level 2 OCR
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GCSE Computing BTEC Nationals Level 3
OCR OCR
Sport BTEC First Sport BTEC National Sport Sports Leader Award level 1/2 GCSE PE Football Coaching Level 2/3
Edexcel Edexcel City & Guilds Sport
Others Career Planning CoPE/AoPE Personal Progress Main Awards
ASDAN
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Annex B –
Examination Series & Associated Deadlines 2012-2013 for University Academy
Warrington
Entry Deadline
Amendment without
charge Withdrawal with refund of fee
November 2012
4 October 2012 24 October 2012 25 October 2012
January 2013
21 October 2012 2 14 December 2012
WJEC 21 October 2012 01 December 2010 01 December 2012
March 2013 Edexcel 21 January 2013 04 February 2013 21 February 2013
Summer 2013
GCSE ENTRY
DEADLINE
GCE DEADLINE AMENDS/WITHDRAWAL
S
AQA 21-Feb 21-Mar 21-Apr
WJEC 21-Feb 21-Mar 31-Mar GCSE Only
EDEXCEL 21-Mar 21-Mar 03-Apr
OCR
OCR
21-Feb
21 Mar
21-Mar
21 Apr
BTEC
Registrations 2012
31 October 2012 n/a 31 January 2013
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Annex C – Procedures on charging for Examinations
Candidates or departments will not be charged for changes of tier, withdrawals made by the proper procedures or alterations arising from administrative processes provided these are made within the time allowed by the awarding bodies.
Initial GCSE entry examination fees are paid by the Centre.
Initial AS entry examination fees are paid by the Centre.
Initial A2 entry examination fees are paid by the Centre.
Late entry or amendment fees are paid by the Departments.
Fee reimbursements are sought from candidates who decide to sit an examination after the late entry/withdrawal deadline/fail to sit an examination/do not meet the necessary coursework requirements without medical evidence or evidence of other mitigating circumstances.
Re-sit fees post 16 are charged to candidates
Re-sit fees in Y11 or before are paid for only by the centre if a fails to achieve his/her target grade on the first attempt.
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Annex D - Disability Discrimination Act, SEN and Access Arrangements
All Examination centre staff must ensure that meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), extended in 2005, and the Disability Equality Duty (DED), introduced in 2006.
The DDA introduced measures aimed at eliminating the discrimination often faced by disabled people. The main provisions of the Act give protection to disabled people in the areas of employment and education.
'A person has a disability for the purposes of the DDA if s/he has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on her/his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
The centre will meet the requirements of the DDA by ensuring that the Examinations centre is accessible and improving candidate experience. This is the
responsibility of the Head of centre.
Access arrangements
The SENCO will inform subject teachers of candidates with special educational needs who are embarking on a course leading to an examination. The SENCO can then inform individual staff of any special arrangements that individual candidates can be granted during the course and in the examination.
A candidate's access arrangements requirement is determined by the Specialist teacher.
Submitting completed access arrangement applications to the awarding bodies is the responsibility of the Examinations Officer
Making access arrangements for candidates to take examinations is the responsibility of the Examinations Officer
Rooming for access arrangement candidates will be arranged by the SENCO with the Examinations Officer
Invigilation and support for access arrangement candidates will be organised by the Examinations Officer
Special consideration
Should a candidate be ill before an exam, suffer bereavement or other trauma, be taken ill during the examination itself or otherwise disadvantaged or disturbed
during an examination, then it is the candidate's responsibility to alert the centre, the examinations officer, or the examination invigilator, to that effect.
The candidate must support any special consideration claim with appropriate evidence within three days of the exam, for example by providing a letter from the candidate's doctor.
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The Examination Officer will forward a completed special consideration form to the relevant awarding body within seven days of the exam.
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Annex E – Results, Enquiries about Results and Access to scripts
Results, enquiries about results (EARs) and access to scripts (ATS)
Candidates will receive individual result slips on results days, either in person at the centre or by post to their home addresses (candidates to provide self-addressed envelope).
Arrangements for the centre to be open on results days are made by the Head of Centre.
EARs
EARs may be requested by centre staff or candidates if there are reasonable grounds for believing there has been an error in marking. The candidates consent is required before any EAR is requested.
If a result is queried, the Senior Leader with responsibility for Examinations will investigate the feasibility of asking for a re-mark at the centre's expense.
When the centre does not support a candidate’s or parent’s request for an EAR, a candidate may apply to have an enquiry carried out. If a candidate requires this against the advice of subject staff, they will be charged.
ATS
After the release of results, candidates may ask subject staff to request the return of papers within three days scrutiny of the results.
Centre staff may also request scripts for investigation or for teaching purposes. For the latter, the consent of candidates must be obtained.
GCSE re-marks cannot be applied for once a script has been returned.
Certificates
Certificates are presented in person or collected and signed for.
Certificates can be collected on behalf of a candidate by third parties, provided they have been authorised to do so.
Certificates are withheld from candidates who owe fees.
The centre retains certificates for four years.
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Annexe F – Procedures
Entries, entry details and late entries
Candidates are selected for their examination entries by the Heads of Department and subject teachers. For Y11 final examinations, initial indication of entries and tiers of entry are made through Assessment Manager in the Attainment Tracker session prior to February of Y11.
Examination Entry lists are printed for Heads of Department. These require a signature to confirm entries before they are sent to the Awarding Body.
The centre accepts entries from external candidates with appropriate fees and with evidence of identity
Entry deadlines are circulated to Heads of Department via Email
Late entries are authorised by Heads of Department and Examination Officer.
GCSE retakes are allowed.
AS retakes are allowed.
A2 retakes are allowed.
Retake decisions will be made in consultation with Candidates, Subject teachers, Learning Manager for the sixth form and Heads of Department.
Estimated grades
Heads of Department are responsible for submitting estimated grades to the Examination Officer when requested.
Managing invigilators
Support staff and external staff are used to invigilate public examinations.
Recruitment of invigilators is the responsibility of the Senior Leader with responsibility for Examinations and the Examination Officer
Securing the necessary Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance for new invigilators is the responsibility of the Personnel Administrator
CRB fees for securing such clearance are paid by the centre.
Invigilators are timetabled and briefed by the Examination Officer
Invigilators rates of pay are set by the Local Authority
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Exam days
The Examination Officer will book all examination rooms after liaison with other users and make the question papers, other examination stationery and materials available for the invigilators.
Site management is responsible for setting up the allocated rooms.
The lead invigilator will start all examinations in accordance with the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) guidelines.
Subject staff may be present at the start of the examination to assist with identification of candidates but must not advise on which questions or sections are to be attempted.
In practical examinations subject teachers may be on hand in case of any technical difficulties.
Examination papers must not be read by subject teachers or removed from the examination room before the end of a session. Papers will be distributed to Heads of Department at the end of the examination.
A relevant subject teacher may be available to read out any subject-specific instructions and start the examination, if required.
Candidates
The centre's published rules on acceptable dress, behaviour and candidates' use of mobile phones and other electronic devices apply at all times.
Candidates' personal belongings remain their own responsibility and the centre accepts no liability for their loss or damage.
Disruptive candidates are dealt with in accordance with JCQ guidelines. Candidates are expected to stay for the full exam time at the discretion of the Examination Officer or senior invigilator.
Candidates may only leave the examination room for a genuine purpose and are required to return immediately to the examination room. They must be accompanied by a member of staff at all times.
The Examination Officer is responsible for handling late or absent candidates on examination day or subsequently.
Clash candidates
The Examination Officer will be responsible as necessary for supervising escorts, identifying a secure venue and arranging overnight stays.
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Appendix G – Controlled Assessment
Example risks and issues
Possible remedial action Staff
Forward planning Action
Timetabling
Assessment schedule
clashes with other activities
Plan/establish priorities well ahead
(e.g. start of academic year) for all
subjects or lines of learning
Plan dates in consultation with
school calendar – negotiate with
other parties
Examination
Officer consulted
Senior Leader
accountable
Heads of
Department to be
responsible
Subject teachers to
be informed
Too many assessments
close together across
subjects or lines of learning
Plan assessments so they are spaced
over the duration of the course
Space assessments to at least
allow candidates some time
between assessments
Examination
Officer consulted
Heads of
Department to be
responsible
Accommodation
Insufficient space in Once group sizes are known at the Use more than one classroom or Heads of
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classrooms for candidates start of the year, flag instances where
regular classroom space may not be
suitable to conduct controlled
assessment
multiple sittings where necessary Department to be
responsible
Examination
Officer consulted
Insufficient facilities for all
candidates
Careful planning ahead and booking of
rooms / centre facilities
Examination
Officer
consulted/inform
ed
Downloading awarding body set tasks
IT system unavailable on
day of assessment
Download tasks well ahead of
scheduled assessment date in all cases
Book IT equipment well ahead and
download tasks before scheduled
date of assessment
Heads of
Department
responsible
Senior Leader
accountable
Teaching staff/assessors
unable to access task
details
Test secure access rights ahead of
schedule every year and every session
Ensure teaching staff/assessors
have access rights for correct area
of awarding body secure extranet
sites ahead of time
Heads of
Department
responsible
Examination
Officer responsible
Loss of task details in
transmission
Download tasks well ahead of
scheduled assessment date
Report loss to awarding body for
replacement; download again
Examination
Officer responsible
Heads of
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Department
responsible
Absent candidates
Candidates absent for all or
part of assessment
(various reasons)
Plan alternative session(s) for
candidates
Heads of
Department
responsible
Candidates have a
scheduling clash for exams
or assessment (possibly
offsite on consortium
teaching)
Always consider candidate timetables well ahead and decide on priorities in advance to scheduling clashes
Check before booking the date;
provide an alternative date, where
necessary and consult awarding
body procedures for dealing with
timetabling clashes
N.B. retakes of controlled
assessment are limited
Heads of
Department
responsible
Examination
Officer responsible
Senior Leader
accountable
Control levels for task taking
Assessment is undertaken
under incorrect level of
control (time, resources,
supervision and
collaboration)
Ensure teaching staff/assessors know
what level is applicable and
understand what is involved. Provide
training if required
Seek guidance from the awarding
body
Heads of
Department
responsible
Supervision
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study diary/plan not
provided or completed*
Ensure teaching staff/assessors are
aware of the need for study
diary/plans to be completed early in
course
Ensure candidates start, continue
and complete study diary/plans
that are signed after every session
Subject teachers
responsible
Teaching staff/assessors do
not understand supervision
of controlled assessment is
their responsibility
Ensure teaching staff/assessors
understand nature of controlled
assessments and their role in
supervision
Heads of
Department
responsible
Suitable supervisor has not
been arranged for an
assessment where teaching
staff/assessors are not
supervising
A suitable supervisor must be
arranged for any controlled
assessment where a teacher/assessor
is not supervising, in line with the
awarding body specification.
Examination
Officer responsible
Task setting
Teaching staff/assessors
fail to correctly set tasks
Ensure teaching staff/assessors
understand the task setting
arrangements as defined in the awarding
body specification**
Seek guidance from the
awarding body
Heads of
Department
responsible
Assessments have not been
moderated as required in
the awarding body
specification
Check specification and plan required
moderation appropriately
Seek guidance from the
awarding body
Heads of
Department
responsible
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Security of materials
Assessment tasks not kept
secure before assessment
Ensure teaching staff understand
importance of task security
Request/obtain different
assessment tasks
Heads of
Department
responsible
Examination
Officer responsible
Candidates’ work not kept
secure during or after
assessment
Define appropriate level of security, in
line with awarding body requirements,
for each department as necessary
Take materials to secure storage Heads of
Department
responsible
Examination
Officer responsible
Insufficient or insecure
storage space
Look at provision for suitable storage
early in the course
Find alternative spaces Senior Leader
accountable
Deadlines
Deadlines not met by
candidates
Ensure all candidates are briefed on
deadlines/penalties for not meeting
them
Mark what candidates have
produced by deadline and seek
guidance from awarding body on
further action.
Heads of
Department
responsible
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Deadlines for marking
and/or paperwork not met
by teaching staff/
assessors
Ensure teaching staff/assessors are
given clear deadlines (prior to awarding
body ones) to complete
marking/paperwork so the exams
office can process and send off marks
ahead of AB deadlines
Seek guidance from awarding body
Heads of
Department
responsible
Authentication
Candidate fails to sign
authentication form
Ensure all candidates have
authentication forms to sign and attach
to work when it is completed before
handing in
Find candidate and ensure form
is signed
Heads of
Department
responsible
Teaching staff/assessors
fail to complete
authentication forms or
leave before completing
authentication
Ensure teaching staff/assessors
understand importance of
authentication forms and the
requirement of a signature
Return form to staff for signature.
Ensure forms are signed as work
is marked, not at end of season
Heads of
Department
responsible
Marking
Teaching staff/assessors
interpret marking
descriptions incorrectly
Ensure appropriate training and
practicing of marking. Plan for
sampling of marking during the practice
phase.
Arrange for remarking. Consult
awarding body specification for
appropriate procedure
Heads of
Department
responsible
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Centre does not run
standardisation activity as
required by the awarding
body
Plan against the requirements for
standardisation for the awarding body
when and how this activity will be
conducted.
Check with the awarding body
whether a later standardisation
event can be arranged.
Heads of
Department
responsible
Senior Leader
accountable
Aspire ● Believe ● Achieve
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Appendix H
INTERNAL APPEALS ABOUT ASSESSMENT DECISIONS
Sometimes a candidate may not agree with the coursework marks awarded by a teacher.
If the disagreement cannot be resolved by discussion between the teacher and candidate
concerned, then the candidate may appeal to the Examinations Officer, who will put into
action the agreed appeals process. This will be the final stage in the normal process of
considering and resolving disputes. It is expected that it will be used only in exceptional
circumstances.
1. The Examinations officer is in overall charge of managing appeals relating to internal
assessments.
2. If a wishes to appeal about his/her internal assessment marks, then the
following procedures should be followed:
• The appeal should be made in writing to the exams officer stating the details of the
complaint and the reasons for the appeal
• The appeal must be submitted before the end of the first week in May of the year
in
which the written examinations are taken
3. The teacher(s) concerned in marking the assessment which is the subject of the
appeal
will respond to the appeal in writing to the exams officer; a copy will be given to the
candidate.
4. If the candidate is not happy with the written response they have received, then they
can request a personal hearing before an appeals panel.
• The appeals panel will consist of the exams officer and two of the following:
the Head of Year, Deputy Principal, an Academy Governor.
• The request for a personal hearing must be made within two days of receipt of the
written reply to the initial appeal.
• The candidate will be given at least two days’ notice of the hearing date.
• A breakdown of the marks awarded will be given to the candidate in advance of
the
appeal.
• The candidate may bring a parent/guardian to the hearing.
• The teacher(s) involved will be present at the hearing.
• The Examinations Officer will convey the outcome of an appeal and the reasons for
that outcome in writing to the candidate.
• The Academy will maintain a written record of all appeals.
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• The Academy will inform the awarding bodies (examining boards) of any change to
an internally assessed mark as a result of an appeal.
APPEALS AGAINST INTERNAL ASSESSMENT OF WORK FOR EXTERNAL
QUALIFICATIONS
University Academy Warrington is committed to ensuring that whenever its staff assess
s’ work for external qualification this is done fairly, consistently and in accordance with
the specification for the qualification concerned. Assessments are conducted by staff
who have appropriate knowledge, understanding and skills, and who have been trained
in this activity. The centre is committed to ensuring that assessment evidence provided
by candidates is produced and authenticated according to the requirements of the
relevant specifications for each subject. Where a set of work is divided between staff,
internal moderation and standardisation will ensure consistency.
If a feels that this may not have happened in relation to his/her work, s/he may make
use of this appeals procedure. Note that appeals may only be made against the process
that led to the assessment and not against the mark or grade submitted by the centre for
moderation by the awarding body.
This procedure is available from the Examinations Officer and is posted on the Academy
website.
1. Appeals should be made as early as possible and at least two weeks before the end
of the last externally assessed paper in the examination series (e.g. 9th June where the
last GCSE written paper in the June GCSE exam series is 23rd June)
2. Appeals should be made in writing by the candidate’s parent/carer to the
Examinations Officer, who will investigate the appeal with at least two other members of
staff who have not been involved in the internal assessment decision. If the
Examinations Officer was directly involved in the assessment in question, the Principal
will appoint another member of staff of similar or greater seniority to conduct the
investigation. Likewise, if the Examinations Officer is not able to conduct the
investigation for some other reason.
3. The purpose of the appeal will be to decide whether the process used for the internal
assessment conformed to the published requirement of the awarding body and the
examinations code of practice of the QCA.
4. You will be informed in writing of the outcome of the appeal, including any relevant
correspondence with the awarding body and any changes made to the procedure relating
to internal assessment.
5. The outcome of the appeal will be made known to the Principal and will be logged as
a complaint. A written record will be kept and made available to the awarding body upon
request. Should the appeal bring any significant irregularity to light, the awarding body
will be informed.
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After work has been assessed internally, it is moderated by the awarding body to ensure
consistency between centres. Such moderation frequently changes the marks awarded
for internally assessed work. That is outside the control of University Academy
Warrington and is not covered by this procedure. If you have concerns about it, please
ask the Examinations Officer for a copy of the appeals procedure of the relevant
awarding body.
Approvals Signature of Principal: Signature of Chair of Governors: Date of approval by Governors: 20.3.13 Date of next review: March 2015 Status: Non-Statutory