Learner Appeals Process FS – HIGHFIELDS

Learner Appeals Process – Functional Skills

The following sets out the appeals procedure for Datalaw. This procedure covers the process for raising appeals against an academic judgement or assessment decision that has been made. Should a learner feel that proper process has not been followed or that the academic judgements or assessment decisions have not been made in accordance with the regulations of the programme of learning then they may appeal to Head of Quality via one of the following methods:

Staff Name	Title	Area of responsibility	Phone number	Email
Cath Heys	Head of Quality	Quality	0151 347 7880	catherine.heys@datalaw.org

Examples of areas where an appeal may be raised are as follows. If the learner believes that Datalaw has not applied our procedures properly, consistently and fairly;

• If the learner is not satisfied with the conduct of the assessment and believed it disadvantaged them; and
• If the learner feels that the premises/environment for assessment has disadvantaged them.

Should a learner wish to appeal against a decision made after a complaint has been investigated then please refer to our Complaints Procedure.

When you contact us, please give us your full name, contact details, and include a daytime telephone number along with:

• A full description of your appeal (including the subject matter and dates and times if known);
• Any names of the people you have dealt with so far;
• Copies of any papers or letters to do with the appeal; and
• Any other factors for consideration such as any extenuating circumstances that the learner either did not address at the time or believes that were raised but were not taken into consideration when the decision was made.

Datalaw ask that you raise your appeal as soon as possible after the event so that we have the opportunity to investigate fully. We will acknowledge receipt of your appeal within 5 working days.

Appeals will be investigated, and a review panel may be formed in order to reach a decision. We aim to investigate and respond to appeals within 10 working days.

This will be the final route of escalation within our company. Therefore, if you remain unhappy after following our own internal appeals procedure then please contact the Awarding Organisation directly.

The Awarding Organisation is Highfield Qualifications and their appeals policy can be located on their website: https://www.highfieldqualifications.com. Alternatively, please speak to the Highfield Qualifications team on 01302 363277.

Should you address your appeal to Highfield Qualifications and remain unhappy with the outcome you may then raise your appeal to the relevant qualification regulator. Either a representative of Datalaw or Highfield Qualifications will be able to offer you guidance on the appropriate qualification regulator in each instance and provide contact details.

*The following list of Qualification Regulators are provided as additional guidance:

• SCQF qualifications – SQA Accreditation
• RQF qualifications:
• Delivered in Wales – Qualifications Wales
• Delivered in Northern Ireland – CCEA Regulation
• Delivered anywhere else – OFQUAL

Please note: SQA Accreditation cannot overturn academic judgements or assessment decisions.

If you have any queries about the contents of this policy, please contact a member of Datalaw Quality team using the contact details below.

Staff Name	Title	Area of responsibility	Phone number	Email
Kelly Evans	Quality Improvement Advisor/IQA	Quality	0151 347 7885	kelly.evans@datalaw.org
Cath Heys	Head of Quality	Quality	0151 347 7880	catherine.heys@datalaw.org

Reviewed Date	11th April 2023	Next Review Due Date	11th April 2024
Reviewed by	Cath Heys Head of Quality	Signature	Cath Heys

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