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Appeals procedure 

The Appeals procedure should be used where a candidate is unhappy with any stage of the assessment process and they have been unable to resolve this directly with the assessor/tutor concerned.  An appeal can be made against any decision made by the candidate’s assessor/tutor once the assessment of the unit has been completed. The following are considered grounds for appeal:

  • The candidate disagrees with the assessment decision as set against their course performance criteria.
  • The candidate is dissatisfied with the way in which the assessment was carried out.
  • The candidate is dissatisfied with the amount of opportunities offered to demonstrate competence.
  • The candidate experiences bias/discrimination in the assessment process in terms of equal opportunities.
 

In the first instance the candidate should try to resolve the issue with the assessor/tutor, where appropriate.  If this does not resolve the issue then the Internal Verifier should be involved.  If this fails to resolve the issue then the following appeal should be made in writing.

 
An appeal must be made within 4 weeks of the candidate being informed on an assessment decision.  The appeal should be sent to:Gail Cooksey (Managing Director) or Mandy Holland (Finance Director)VTS, Chalkwell Lawns, 648-656 London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 9HR 
If no agreement can be made, the Directors will set a date for the Appeals Panel to meet within 15 workings days of receiving the appeal. 
The Directors will contact the candidate, the assessor/tutor and the internal verifier to try to resolve the matter by exploring mutually acceptable solutions.  Possible solutions that can be considered are the re-assessment of performance by an alternative assessor/tutor, the re-evaluation of performance evidence by the original assessor/tutor, or the assessment of performance evidence by the internal verifier. 

                          

The Appeals Panel

The Appeals Panel should consist of 3 people who have not been involved with the particular assessment.  The Panel will give everyone involved the opportunity to present their account of the matter under appeal.  This can be done verbally or in writing.  If so desired, those involved may give their account in the absence of others involved in the matter.  The Panel will consider the matter and records their decision.  They will then notify the parties involved of that decision within 5 working days.Possible decisions can be:

  • The evidence presented does demonstrate competence and the original decision should be reconsidered by the original assessor/tutor.
  • The original decision is upheld.
  • The candidate be reassessed by the original assessor/tutor.
  • The candidate should be reassessed by a different assessor/tutor.
 If the candidate is still not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal a further complaint can be made to the Directors and if still not satisfied, to the Awarding Body.  Information on how to do this is available from the Directors. All appeals will be declared at External Verifier inspections, along with all notes and decisions made through the Appeals Panel and discussions outside of the Panel.