This policy represents an appeals framework that ensures students can request a review of an assessment decision made by SCCD Training, where there are grounds to do so.
a) The policy aims to ensure appropriate, fair, and consistent treatment of all parties involved in any qualification appeal.
b) This procedure allows students to raise an appeal at an informal level and, if the outcome of this is not satisfactory, to use the formal procedure.
c) The internal formal Academic Appeal Procedure should be followed before escalation to external Awarding Body appeals processes. Students will be signposted to relevant external Awarding Body appeal processes at the start of their programme of study in the IAG session.
d) External appeals procedures vary, depending on the type of qualification for which the appeal is being made and the awarding body. The overriding principle is that all appeals will be treated fairly and objectively.
e) Without prejudice to the outcome of an appeal, a student may continue to attend classes and make use of the facilities of SCCD whilst their appeal is being heard.
d) Students who have completed their programme, who have grounds to appeal an assessment decision or programme, will be unable to receive their award until the matter has been fully resolved.
e) The time scale for the procedure must be followed. Students and staff should note where there may be variations between awarding bodies.
Grounds for Appeal
Appeals against an assessment decision will normally only be considered on one or more of the following grounds:
a) That a student’s performance in the assessment was adversely affected by illness or other factors. The student must have been unable to, or have a valid reason not to, divulge the information to their lecturer prior to assessment.
b) In case of moving to a higher level of appeal, any new information must have been unavailable at the time the determination was made. In these cases, the appeal must be accompanied by documentary evidence to the Director of Curriculum or head of the Education
c) Department.
d) There is evidence of SCCD academic assessment administrative error or that an assessment was not conducted in accordance with the specifications of SCCD and the awarding body policies/procedures. This may be evidence that some other material irregularity has occurred.
Notifications
a) All staff members will be notified of changes to the Academic Appeals Policy and Procedures through the normal channels.
b) Teaching and admin staff like Student Support who regularly advise students should have a detailed knowledge of the Academic Appeals Policy and Procedures.
c) Any changes to awarding body regulations will be reflected in the annual review process of this policy and associated procedures.
d) Students will be made aware of the policy within four weeks of commencing their course. But this information will be presented in their first session of training which is the IAG session.
e) The policy will be available in the student’s handbook as well.
Roles and Responsibilities
SCCD Training Board of Management is responsible for approving the policy and ensuring that it is followed. Inverness College UHI Board of Management are also responsible for ensuring the strategic effectiveness of the policy.
The Head of Education and Training, including senior lecturers will be responsible for operational compliance with the policy set SCCD Ltd by making recommendations to the Board about updates to the policy and is also responsible for ensuring the operational effectiveness of the policy and making provision for training for relevant staff.
Other line managers are responsible for ensuring staff participate in training and follow the policy in their day-to-day role.
All relevant staff are responsible for familiarising themselves with the policy and procedures.
Stage 1 of appeal (informal)
1:1 If a student wishes to make an appeal relating to an assessment decision, the matter should initially be raised with the appropriate examiner/assessor.
Appeals against assessment decision are only valid if they fail relate to
one of the following:
a. The assessment/examination procedures have not been conducted in accordance with approved regulations.
b. There has been some material administrative error or irregularity.
c. The Assessor/Assessment Board has been unaware of extenuating circumstances which might have adversely affected the learner’s performance. Such grounds would normally be endorsed by Student Services.
d. Unfair discrimination is alleged.
Time frame for an appeal
1:1b An appeal should be made within 7 days of an assessment result being received/feedback given.
1:1c Once it is established if the student has grounds for an Appeal, the examiner/assessor will attempt to resolve the issue satisfactorily and amicably.
1:1d If a student is not satisfied with the outcome, they may wish to progress to stage 2.
Stage 2 of appeal (formal)
2.1 If students are not satisfied with the outcome of stage 1, they can progress. their appeal to the next stage of the process by raising the appeal with the Head of Curriculum area/Head of Education and Training.
2.2 Appeals against assessment decision are only valid if they relate to one of the following:
a) The assessment/examination procedures have not been conducted in accordance with approved regulations.
b) There has been some form of material administrative error or irregularity
c) The Assessor/assessment team has been unaware of extenuating circumstances unaware of extenuating which might have adversely affected the learner’s performance. Such grounds would normally be endorsed by Student Services.
d) If unfair discrimination is alleged.
2.3 An appeal must be raised within seven days from a stage 1 decision.
2.4 The Head will first determine if the student has grounds for an Appeal.
2.5 The Head of Curriculum area will then convene a Curriculum area Appeals Board normally within 7 days of receiving the Appeal.
2.7 The Curriculum area Appeals Board will consider all information provided and has the power to request further information/discussions with relevant parties if required.
2.8 The decision of the Curriculum area Appeals Boards will be communicated in writing, via a formal report, to the student and Quality and Standards normally within seven days.
Stage 3 of Appeal
2.8. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of appeal at stage 2 they can progress their appeal to the next (and final stage) of the appeal process.
2.9 Curriculum area appeals progressing to Stage 3 should be made within seven working days of the Appeals Board meeting and submitted to Quality and Standards, stating the grounds of the appeal together with supporting documentation.
Grounds for Appeal to stage 3 should fall into one of the categories below.
The Curriculum area Appeals Board has not conducted the appeal in accordance with approved regulations especially in the case of alleged unfair discrimination.
2.10 The Quality and Standards (IQA) will convene an independent member to review the appeal.
2.11 The composition of this Appeals Board will be made up from independent members. No members of the Curriculum area Appeals Board shall be from the Curriculum area directly involved in the appeal.
2.12 After consultation with the Chair of the curriculum area Appeals Board the College Appeals Board may call for further information or clarification and the Board may make the following decisions:
a. To uphold the decision of the Curriculum area Appeals Board.
b. To amend the decision of the Curriculum area Appeals Board.
c. The Quality and Standards will notify relevant parties of its decision, normally within 7 days. All relevant stakeholders must be notified. The student has no further right to appeal.