BACKGROUND

1. Introduction

Inspira is committed to ensuring that learners’ assessment is done fairly, consistently and in accordance with the awarding organisation’s specification and subject specific associated documents. This policy sets out Inspira’s framework for dealing with appeals.

1.1 Purpose

If a learner believes that this may not have happened in relation to his/her work, he/she may make use of this appeals procedure. An appeal may only be made against the assessment process and not against the mark submitted to the awarding organisation.

1.2 Scope

This policy relates to all regulated qualifications delivered by Inspira.

RESPONSIBILTY

1.3 Responsibilities/Duties

It is the responsibility of all individuals who wish to query the assessment process to accept, understand and comply with the policy.

It is the responsibility of all managers and line managers to ensure that all staff are aware of and comply with the Company policy.

It is the responsibility of relevant staff to ensure learners are aware of and understand the policy.

It is the Responsibility of the Director to monitor this policy and make revisions as necessary.

1.4 Location

This policy is available for learners on the INSPIRA website.

POLICY

1.5 Stage One 1

Appeals should be made as early as possible, and no later than two weeks following the result of their assessment. At this stage the learner must approach the trainer/assessor and request an informal discussion.

1.6 Stage Two 2

If the learner is unable to resolve the appeal through informal discussion with the trainer/assessor, the trainer/assessor must refer the appeal to the internal quality assurer.

The referral from the trainer/assessor to the internal quality assurer must be no later than two weeks after the original notification of the appeal from the learner to the assessor.

1.7 Stage Three 3

If the internal quality assurer is unable to resolve the appeal, the appeal must be made in writing by the learner to the relevant Director. The Director will conduct an investigation. The Director will not have had any involvement in the internal assessment process for the learner making the appeal.

The purpose of the appeal will be to decide whether the process used for internal assessment conformed to the awarding organisation’s specification and subject-specific associated documents.

The learner making the appeal will be informed in writing of the outcome of the appeal, including any relevant correspondence with the awarding organisation, and any changes made to internal assessment procedures.

A written record will be kept and made available to the awarding organisation upon request. Should the appeal bring any irregularity in procedures to light, the awarding organisation will be informed. We aim to inform the learner of the decision a maximum of two months from the date of the first contact with the trainer/assessor (as described in Stage One above).

We hope that we can always solve your issue for you. However, if you are unhappy with our final response, you have the right to refer your appeal to the Awarding Organisation by following the Awarding Organisation’s Appeals procedures. Details are available on the Awarding Organisation’s Website www.ncfe.org.uk

Learners and employers have the right to refer their appeal to the Qualifications Regulators. Regulators would require evidence that you have fully exhausted the steps within the Awarding Organisation Appeal’s Policy.

2. Data Retention

Inspira will securely store information provided as part of your Appeal submission. Inspira will not keep personal data for longer than we need it. Once the retention period is over, and it is no longer justifiable to hold personal data any longer, data will be securely destroyed or anonymised.