NOTICE TO GCE/GCSE EXAMINATION CANDIDATES

Internal Assessment Procedure – Appeals

• This is to let you know how to appeal about the procedures used in internal assessment for work that contributes to a GCSE/GCE award.
• The procedure at this examination centre The Sydney Russell School will be supervised by a member of staff.  Information will be available from the Examinations Office.  The Head of Sydney Russell School will be aware of the details of all appeals in progress, and advised of their outcome.
• Any appeal will be considered by at least three members of The Sydney Russell School staff, including your Tutor.
• You will be allowed to be supported in the presentation of your case by a parent, guardian, or friend.
• A written record of all Appeals will be held in the Examinations Office.  This will include a record of the outcome, including the reasons for that outcome.  A copy will be sent to you.
• All Appeals will include a review of the procedure used at The Sydney Russell School to award marks for internal assessments to ensure that this complies with the requirements of the Awarding Body, and the published Code of  Practice.
• You must complete the relevant form at least two weeks before the date of the final written examination paper in the subject that exam session.  An internal Appeal will be resolved by the date of the final written examination paper of the session.
• The Sydney Russell School will inform the Awarding Body of the outcome of any Appeal which has implications for the conduct of examinations or the issue of results at The Sydney Russell School and full details of any Appeal will be made available to the Awarding Body on request.

How do I make an Appeal?

ü  You should seek advice from your Tutor, or relevant subject staff.

ü  If you wish to make an Appeal, please fill in the ‘FORM FOR THE LOGGING OF STUDENTS’ COMPLAINTS’.  A blank copy of this will be available from your Tutor, or from the Examinations Office. 

ü  Return the completed form to the Examinations Office.

INTERNAL APPEALS PROCEDURE

The Code of Practice requires Centres offering their examinations to commit themselves to ensuring that "published appeals procedures relating to internal assessment decisions are made widely available and accessible to all candidates".

A Centre should:

-have a written appeals procedure

- inform candidates that an appeals procedure relating to internal assessment decisions exists within the Centre

- let candidates have access to a copy of the internal appeals procedure.

STAGE 1

If a candidate is unhappy about the mark awarded for internal assessment she should proceed as follows.

1.    She should ask the subject teacher to explain why the mark was given.

2. If not satisfied with the explanation she receives she should see the Head of Department concerned.

STAGE 2

If the candidate still does not understand, or does not accept, the mark which has been awarded she can go to an appeals panel.

• the panel is to consist of 3 people: the member of staff concerned, the Head of Department and a member of Senior Management unconnected with the subject concerned
• if the Head of Department is the teacher who awarded the disputed mark another member of the Department should be on the panel
• the candidate can be supported in the presentation of her case by a parent, guardian or friend
• a written record should be kept of the proceedings and should include the outcome of the appeal and the reasons for that outcome
• a copy of the records should be sent to the candidate
• appeals should include a review of the procedures used by the Centre to award marks for internal assessment and should consider whether those procedures were in conformity with the requirements of the Awarding Body and the Code of Practice
• all appeals should have been resolved by the date of the last externally assessed paper of the examination series
• the centre must inform the Awarding Body of any outcome of any appeal.

INTERNAL APPEALS ABOUT INTERNAL ASSESSMENT DECISIONS

Sometimes a candidate will not agree with the coursework marks awarded by a teacher. If the disagreement cannot be resolved by discussion between the teacher and candidate concerned then the candidate may appeal to the Examinations Officer, who will put into action the agreed appeals process. This will be the final stage in the normal process of considering and resolving disputes. It is expected that it will be used only on exceptional circumstances.

1. The Examinations Officer is in overall charge of managing appeals relating to internal assessments.

2. If a student wishes to appeal about his/her internal assessment marks then the following procedures should be followed:

(a) The appeal should be made in writing to the Examinations Officer stating the details of the complaint and the reasons for the appeal.

(b) The appeal must be submitted before the end of the first week in May of the year in which the written examinations are taken.

3. The teacher(s) concerned in marking the assessment which is the subject of the appeal will respond to the appeal in writing to the Examinations Officer; a copy will be given to the candidate.

4. If the candidate is not happy with the written response they have received then they can request a personal hearing before an appeals panel.

(a) The appeals panel will consist of the Examinations Officer and two of the following -  Examinations Officer, the Head of Year, the Director of Studies, the Deputy Headmaster, a School Governor.

(b) The request for a personal hearing must be made within two days of receipt of the written  reply to the initial appeal.

(c) The candidate will be given at least two days notice of the hearing date.

(d) A breakdown of the marks awarded will be given to the candidate in advance of the appeal.

(e) The candidate may bring a parent/guardian to the hearing.

(f) The teacher(s) involved will be present at the hearing.

5.       (a) The Examinations Officer will convey the outcome of an appeal and the reasons for that outcome in writing to the candidate.

          (b) The school will maintain a written record of all appeals.

          (c) The school will inform the Awarding Bodies (Examining Boards) of any change to an internally assessed mark as a result of an appeal.