Appeals Policy

A learner may appeal against an assessment decision, a decision on a reasonable adjustment or special consideration request, or a finding of malpractice. Employers may appeal on a learner’s behalf with the learner’s written consent.

1. Stages

Stage	Who	When	Outcome
1 — Informal	Discuss the decision with the tutor/assessor who made it. The assessor explains the reasoning against the assessment criteria.	Within 5 working days of the decision	Decision confirmed, or corrected where a clear error is found.
2 — Formal internal	Write to the Director stating the decision appealed and the grounds. The Internal Quality Assurer (not involved in the original decision) reviews the evidence and, for practicals, the recording.	Within 10 working days of the Stage 1 outcome; response within 15 working days	Decision upheld, amended, or re-assessment offered free of charge.
3 — Highfield	If still dissatisfied, appeal to Highfield Qualifications under its Appeals Policy. Highfield charges a fee which is refunded if the appeal succeeds.	Per Highfield’s published timescales	Highfield’s decision is final.

2. Grounds

Valid grounds include: the assessment criteria were not applied correctly; the assessment was not conducted in line with Highfield’s requirements; an approved reasonable adjustment was not provided; or procedure was not followed in a malpractice investigation. Disagreement with a mark on a Highfield-set examination is referred to Highfield’s enquiries-about-results process rather than reviewed by us.

3. Records

We record every appeal, its outcome and any action taken, and report to Highfield where an appeal reveals a failing in our assessment practice.