Southfields Academy - Internal Assessment Appeals Process

Southfields Academy has a controlled assessment policy based on the guidance provided by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).  Southfields Academy is committed to ensuring that:

• Coursework assessments are conducted by staff who have the appropriate knowledge, understanding and skills and that procedures required by the examination boards are adhered to;
• Assessment evidence provided by candidates has been produced and authenticated according to the requirements laid out in the specification for the examination or course;
• Assessment tasks are marked and moderated according to a schedule published by each department at the beginning of the year;
• Students are given feedback to make them aware of the level at which they are working;
• The consistency of internal assessment is assured through internal standardisation.
• Staff responsible for organising coursework and the standardisation of marking have been properly trained.

This policy applies to GCSE and GCE coursework which is assessed by members of staff.  Coursework includes oral tests, controlled assessments, portfolio work and any other work which is marked by your teachers.

If at any stage during your examination course you have concerns about the procedures used in assessing and marking your coursework for public examinations, then you must initially discuss them with your teacher and the relevant Head of Department.  Hopefully this will resolve the issue.  You may not appeal against your mark, but only against the procedures used by the staff to award you the mark.

If the matter is not resolved then you should contact the Headteacher as soon as possible to discuss whether a formal appeal could be made.  The Headteacher will usually appoint a senior member of staff, who has not been involved in assessing the coursework, to investigate whether procedures have been used correctly. 

Appeals should be made before the end of the written examinations related to the coursework, or before certification is completed in vocational qualifications such as BTEC.

You will be informed in writing of the outcome of the appeal.  The examination board will be informed of any changes of the marks for your work or other students' work, which arise out of the investigation.  You will be provided with copies of any correspondence about your appeal sent to the examination board.

The Academy encourages candidates to be supported by a parents, guardian or friend in the presentation of their case.  The appeal decision will be recorded and filed.

November 2012

Please see also Controlled Assessment Policy 2012-13 available by clicking here or visiting the policies page of this website.