Assessment, Re-sits & Certification

1. How assessment works

Knowledge units are assessed by Highfield multiple-choice examinations, delivered on screen or on paper under invigilation. Practical units are assessed by the tutor against Highfield’s assessment criteria; physical intervention assessments are video recorded.
Identity is checked before every examination. Phones, smart watches and notes are not permitted in the examination room. Suspected cheating is handled under Policy 10.
Assessment decisions made by our tutors are sampled and verified by our Internal Quality Assurer and are subject to external quality assurance by Highfield.

2. Results

Examination results are released by Highfield. We notify learners as soon as results are available, normally within [CONFIRM] working days of the last examination.
Results are given to the learner only, and to the employer where the employer paid for the course and the learner consented at booking.

3. Re-sits and re-assessment

The first re-sit of any failed examination is free of charge. Each further re-sit is £15, payable when the re-sit is booked.
Re-sits are scheduled at the next available examination session. A learner is allowed two re-sits per examination; after that we will recommend the learner attends the relevant training again at the re-attendance rate.
A practical assessment that is not achieved may be re-attempted once on the course where time allows, otherwise at a later re-assessment session. After two unsuccessful attempts we will recommend the training is repeated.
Where a first aid course is a prerequisite for an SIA course, the first aid course must be passed before the SIA course begins.

4. Certificates

Certificates are issued by Highfield Qualifications once all units are achieved and results are processed. We contact the learner when the certificate is available for collection or has been posted to the address given at booking.
Check your certificate on receipt. Errors in name or date of birth caused by information given at booking are corrected by Highfield at the learner’s cost.
Replacement certificates are requested through Highfield and their fee applies.
First aid certificates are valid for three years from the assessment date. SIA licence-linked certificates do not expire, but the SIA sets its own currency rules for licence applications.

5. Disagreeing with a decision

A learner who believes an assessment decision is wrong should use the Appeals Policy (Policy 6). A learner who believes the assessment was conducted unfairly should use the Complaints Policy (Policy 5).