BISMA Learner Appeals Policy

BISMA Learner Appeals Policy

Introduction

This policy sets out BISMA’s formal process for learners to appeal against assessment decisions only. It is designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with the requirements of relevant awarding organisations.

This policy forms part of the terms under which learners enrol with BISMA.

Scope of This Policy

This policy applies only to appeals relating to:

• Theory or practical assessment decisions

• Internal assessment decisions that a learner believes do not meet awarding organisation requirements

• Failure to apply approved reasonable adjustments or special considerations

• Assessment-related maladministration or procedural error

No other decisions are covered by this policy. Decisions relating to learner conduct, disciplinary action, safeguarding, suspension, or exclusion are addressed under separate BISMA policies.

Aims

BISMA aims to:

• Provide learners with a clear and fair route to challenge assessment decisions

• Ensure appeals are considered objectively and without bias

• Maintain accurate records of all appeals and outcomes

• Allow escalation to the awarding organisation where an appeal cannot be resolved internally

Responsibilities

BISMA will:

• Treat all assessment appeals fairly, seriously, and impartially

• Ensure that any person investigating an appeal was not involved in the original assessment decision

• Identify and manage conflicts of interest

• Communicate appeal outcomes clearly and in writing

Responsibility for oversight of this policy rests with the Head of Teaching or an equivalent quality assurance role.

Grounds for Appeal

An appeal may be considered where there is evidence that:

• An assessment decision was not made in accordance with awarding organisation requirements

• Approved reasonable adjustments or special considerations were not applied

• A procedural or administrative error affected the assessment outcome

• Assessor conduct may have materially affected the assessment decision

Disagreement with an assessment outcome alone, without supporting evidence, is not sufficient grounds for appeal.

Appeals Procedure

Stage 1 – Assessment Enquiry (Informal)

Learners should raise an assessment enquiry in writing as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the assessment decision.

The enquiry must include:

• Learner name and contact details

• Qualification and awarding organisation

• Assessment date and decision being queried

• Clear reasons for the enquiry

BISMA will:

• Acknowledge the enquiry within 5 working days

• Provide a written response within 10 working days

If unresolved, the learner may proceed to Stage 2.

Stage 2 – Formal Internal Appeal

A formal appeal must be submitted in writing within 20 working days of the Stage 1 response.

The appeal must include all relevant grounds and supporting evidence, including assessment recordings where applicable.

The appeal will be investigated by the Lead Internal Quality Assurer or another suitably qualified person who was not involved in the original assessment decision.

BISMA will:

• Acknowledge receipt within 5 working days

• Complete the investigation and issue a written outcome within 20 working days

Possible outcomes include:

• The assessment decision being upheld

• The assessment decision being amended

• A reassessment being offered, where permitted by the awarding organisation

Stage 3 – Escalation to the Awarding Organisation

If the learner remains dissatisfied after completion of Stage 2, they may escalate the appeal directly to the awarding organisation in accordance with its published appeals procedures.

The awarding organisation’s decision is final.

Evidence Requirements

• Appeals must be supported by relevant, objective evidence

• Practical assessment appeals will normally require a video recording or equivalent evidence

• Learners may record their own practical assessments provided this does not interfere with assessment integrity or other learners

• Any recordings submitted must comply with BISMA’s Data Protection & Privacy Policy and must not include other learners without appropriate consent

• Learners are responsible for ensuring recordings are lawful, secure, and appropriate

Decisions Not Covered by This Policy

This Appeals Policy does not apply to decisions relating to:

• Learner conduct or behaviour

• Disciplinary action or sanctions

• Safeguarding concerns

• Health and safety matters

• Suspension from training or assessment

• Permanent exclusion or termination of enrolment

Such decisions are management decisions taken in the interests of safety, safeguarding, and the effective operation of BISMA.

BISMA reserves the right to take immediate action, including suspension or exclusion, where behaviour presents or is reasonably considered to present a risk to others, a safeguarding concern, or serious misconduct. Such action may be taken without prior warning.

Learners do not have a right of appeal against disciplinary or exclusion decisions under this policy. Procedural appeals relating to disciplinary or exclusion decisions are addressed separately under the Learner Sanctions, Disciplinary & Exclusion Policy.

Complaints about process, where a learner believes that a disciplinary or exclusion decision was not handled fairly or in accordance with BISMA’s procedures, may be raised under the BISMA Learner Complaints Policy.

Records and Retention

• All appeals and outcomes will be formally recorded

• Records will be retained for a minimum of 18 months, or longer where required by awarding organisation or regulatory requirements

• Appeal outcomes will inform BISMA’s quality assurance and continuous improvement processes