In accordance with the Code of Practice for the conduct of external qualifications produced by the Qualification and Curriculum Authority, Malvern St James is committed to ensuring that:
• Internal assessments are conducted by staff who have the appropriate knowledge, understanding and skills
• Assessment evidence (provided by candidates) has been produced and authenticated, according to the requirements of the specification
• The consistency of the internal assessment is secured through internal standardisation where necessary
• Staff responsible for internal standardisation attend any required training sessions
• All departments are responsible for informing girls of the procedure
• All candidates, parents and guardians should be aware that they have the right to appeal if they believe that there has been an irregularity in the procedure.
Appeals Procedure 1) Externally-assessed units: The Joint Council for Qualifications publishes arrangements for appeals against the decisions made by Awarding Bodies, known as Enquiries About Results.
Further information can be obtained from The Examinations Officer at Malvern St James (
exams@malvernstjames.co.uk).
Candidates and their parents/guardians should be aware that after the issuing of results, there is only a very limited period during which an enquiry can be made.
2) Internally-assessed units: This policy is intended to be transparent and clear, ensuring that appeals are heard independently and that written records are kept. The policy is made available to staff, candidates and parents/guardians via school notice boards and the school website.
The Headmistress has nominated the Director of Teaching and Learning to manage appeals; the Director of Teaching and Learning is responsible, through the Examinations Officer, for disseminating information to all candidates and their parents/guardians about the appeals procedures and for informing the Headmistress about the existence and outcome of all such appeals.
Stage One: • The appeal applies only to the procedures used in arriving at internal assessment decisions and does not apply to the mark(s)/grade(s) themselves
• An appeal should be initiated in writing, stating the details of the complaint and the reasons for the appeal
• The first appeal must be directed to the relevant Head of Subject, who should reply within 5 working days
• There is an opportunity for the teacher(s) concerned in making the assessment, which is the subject of the appeal, to see a copy of the appeal and to respond to this in writing, with a copy sent to the candidate
Stage Two:
• If the candidate (or the candidate’s parent or guardian) is not satisfied, an appeal must be made in writing to the school’s Examinations Officer at least two weeks before the date of the last externally assessed paper of the examination series
• The enquiry into the written appeal will normally be led by either the Head of Years 10 and 11 or the Head of Sixth Form, provided that neither has played a part in the original internal assessment process
• The enquiry will consider whether the procedure used for the internal assessment were in accordance with the published requirements of the Awarding Body and the Code of Practice
• The appeals procedure allows the candidate bringing the appeal to have an opportunity to have a personal hearing, if they are not happy with the written response they have received
• A candidate will be given reasonable notice of the hearing date; they will have sight of all relevant documents (e.g. the marks given, the assessments made) to the case in advance of the hearing. Where a candidate is presenting their own case they will be allowed to be accompanied by a (single) carer/ friend
• The teacher(s) and candidate will have the opportunity to hear each other’s submission to the panel at the hearing
• The appeals panel for a hearing will comprise at least two individuals who have not previously dealt with the particular case. One of the individuals should be a member of the Leadership Team and the second another independent person, whether another member of staff, or, for example, a member of Council (a governor)
• The school will maintain a written record of all appeals. This record includes the outcome of an appeal and reasons for that outcome. The school will send a copy to the candidate and, where appropriate, to their parents/guardians within 10 working days of the hearing
• The appellant will be informed in writing the outcome of the appeal, including any relevant communications with the Joint Council for Qualifications and/or Awarding Body.
Each Awarding Body specifies detailed criteria for the internal assessment of work. In addition, the Awarding Body must moderate the assessment; the final judgement on marks awarded is that of the Awarding Body. Appeals against matters outside the school’s control will not be considered in the school’s appeals procedure.
Malvern St James will inform the Awarding Body if there is any change to an internally assessed mark as a result of an appeal. Any internal dispute or appeal against an internal assessment decision must be resolved speedily, since Awarding Bodies cannot change the dates on which certificates are printed and issued.
Headmistress of Malvern St James
3rd March 2008