Sullivan Upper School – Examination Appeals Procedures 2020
Introduction
This is an exceptional appeals process. It is a result of the directions that the summer 2020 exam series for GCSE, GCE AS and A level qualifications should be cancelled following the COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent arrangements made by the regulators to ensure that as many candidates as possible could receive qualifications based on calculated results. These procedures apply solely to the review and/or appeal of a result at GCSE, GCE AS & A level issued in summer 2020.
These procedures are designed to meet the extraordinary regulatory framework conditions for summer 2020, together with the relevant general/standard and qualification level conditions, of the three qualification regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA Regulation). These regulators were directed to develop an appeals process that focuses on the accuracy and application of the data provided, rather than challenge teachers’ professional judgement on the ability of individual students. Therefore, there is not an appeals process premised on scrutiny of the professional judgement on which a centre’s assessment grades were determined and also not an appeals process for a student to challenge their position in a centre’s rank order.
Any concerns that a candidate (student) or group of candidates may have been subject to bias or discrimination, should be raised directly with the centre and escalated through the school’s Complaints Policy, available on the school website. In addition, evidence of bias, discrimination or other improper action by a centre may be presented to an awarding body who may then investigate the matter as alleged malpractice.
Who can appeal and when?
Appeals must be authorised by the Principal (Head of Centre), on behalf of any candidates for whom data has been provided for the purposes of calculating a grade in a relevant qualification. This includes private candidates. Before authorising the appeal for submission, the Head of Centre must be able to demonstrate that the centre has the written consent of all candidates on whose behalf they are appealing.
Candidates and/or their parents/carers cannot appeal directly to an awarding body. Candidates may make representations to the Principal (Head of the Centre) who submitted information to the awarding body on behalf of that candidate. The Head of Centre’s decision as to whether to proceed with an appeal is subject to the centre’s internal appeal arrangements.
Appeals cannot be submitted before the published results day, must be supported by evidence and must provide a clear explanation of the basis for the appeal in all cases. An appeal may be submitted if the Head of Centre considers that:
the awarding body did not apply procedures consistently, or procedures were not followed properly and fairly; or
the awarding body used the wrong data (as defined by JCQ) in calculating results; or
the result generated was incorrectly issued by the awarding body to one or more candidates.
Please note that the school will review all grades awarded for all subjects, and as such all pupils, to determine if an appeal should be lodged with the awarding body.
Internal review of Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs)
A candidate can request an internal review if he/she is of the view that Sullivan Upper School did not apply the school’s procedures consistently, or procedures were not followed properly and fairly.
A request for an internal review should be made in writing to Mr Thompson (Vice Principal Teaching & Learning) within 10 working days of receipt of results, clearly outlining the rationale for the appeal. Mr Thompson will investigate and determine whether the process used conformed to the necessary requirements. The outcome of the investigation will be reported to the Headmaster, who will respond to the candidate, in writing, on the outcome, including whether or not an appeal will be submitted to the awarding body on their behalf. Candidates will be informed of the outcome within 10 working days of receipt of the appeal.
If a candidate is dissatisfied with the outcome, then the School’s Complaints Procedure should be followed.
If a candidate remains dissatisfied with the school’s handling of the matter, he/she can then report their complaint and the school’s handling of it to the relevant awarding body (e.g. CCEA).
Process for the awarding of CAGs
The School used the regulatory guidance provided by the Department of Education and the Awarding Bodies to develop robust and consistent procedures for the awarding of CAGs. Our primary aim was to ensure that no pupil would be disadvantaged.
Heads of Department ensured that CAGs were based upon a holistic professional judgement, balancing the different sources of evidence. They drew on all existing records and available evidence. Judgements were made taking into account the available data and evidence of individual pupil performance.
(Reference CCEA: Awarding for GCSE, AS and A Level Qualifications Summer 2020)
Internal moderation of CAGs was carried out at subject department and Senior Leadership Team level. CAGs were double-checked and submitted to the relevant awarding bodies by the required dates.
Appendix:
Useful information, including re appeals: https://ccea.org.uk/students-parents/results-information
JCQ ‘Guide to the awarding bodies appeals processes’ https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/appeals/.
SULLIVAN UPPER EXAMINATIONS APPEALS 2020 FORM
Dear Parent/Guardian
If you have decided to appeal any AS or A2 examinations results, please complete a form – see link below.
Appeals Form – June 2020 Examination Series – download form HERE
Please return the completed form to the following email address – info@sullivanupper.holywood.ni.sch.uk as soon as possible. Please enter ‘Examinations Appeals’ in the subject line of the email.
Yours sincerely
C J W PEEL
Headmaster