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Appeals Policy

Centre: ACLAS Global International Education Group

Effective: 2025-07-05 | Review Date: 2026-07-05

Policy Owner: Centre Quality Lead

1. Purpose

This policy gives every learner at ACLAS Global International Education Group a clear, fair, and timely route to challenge an academic decision that affects their progress or result. The Centre is committed to handling every appeal impartially and without recrimination.

2. Scope

This policy covers appeals against:

  • An assessment decision (unit grade)
  • A decision about a reasonable adjustment request
  • A decision about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
  • A finding of malpractice or plagiarism made against the learner
  • Any other academic decision that directly affects the learner's qualification outcome

Complaints about service quality, staff conduct, or administrative matters are handled under the separate Complaints Policy.

3. Grounds for Appeal

A learner may appeal on one or more of the following grounds:

1. Procedural irregularity — The assessment was not conducted in accordance with the published assessment brief, the Assessment Policy, or OTHM requirements.

2. Assessment error — The Assessor made a factual error (e.g., overlooked evidence that was submitted, misunderstood the assessment criteria).

3. Unconsidered circumstances — There were significant personal circumstances (illness, bereavement, or other serious event) that affected the learner's performance and that the Assessor was not made aware of before the decision was made.

4. Bias or discrimination — There is evidence that the decision was influenced by bias or discrimination.

Dissatisfaction with a grade, without one of the above grounds, does not constitute a valid appeal.

4. Stage 1 — Informal Resolution

The Centre encourages learners to resolve concerns informally before lodging a formal appeal.

1. The learner contacts their Assessor in writing within 10 working days of receiving the assessment decision, explaining their concern.

2. The Assessor responds within 5 working days with an explanation or proposed resolution.

3. If the learner accepts the resolution, the matter is closed. If not, or if the learner prefers to go directly to a formal appeal, they proceed to Stage 2.

5. Stage 2 — Formal Appeal

1. The learner submits a written appeal to the Centre Quality Lead ([email protected]) within 10 working days of the Stage 1 outcome, or within 15 working days of the original decision if Stage 1 was bypassed.

2. The appeal must include:

- Learner's full name and OTHM registration number

- The qualification, unit, and assessment being appealed

- The specific ground(s) for appeal (Section 3 above)

- Any supporting evidence

- The outcome the learner is seeking

3. The Centre Quality Lead acknowledges the appeal within 3 working days.

4. The appeal is assigned to an impartial reviewer—someone who was not the original Assessor or IQA for the unit in question. Where the Centre's size makes this difficult, the reviewer is at minimum a person who was not involved in the original decision.

5. The reviewer examines the original submission, the Assessor's feedback and marksheet, any relevant IQA records, and the learner's appeal submission. They may interview the learner and/or the Assessor.

6. The reviewer issues a written decision within 15 working days. The decision will:

- Set out the reviewer's findings on each ground raised

- State whether the appeal is upheld, partially upheld, or dismissed

- If upheld or partially upheld, specify the remedy (e.g., grade changed, resubmission opportunity with no penalty, reassessment by a different Assessor)

- Explain how the learner may escalate to OTHM if dissatisfied

6. Stage 3 — Escalation to OTHM

If the learner is dissatisfied with the Stage 2 outcome, they may escalate the matter to OTHM.

1. The learner must notify the Centre in writing within 10 working days of receiving the Stage 2 decision.

2. The Centre forwards the complete appeal file to OTHM within 5 working days.

3. OTHM's decision is final and binding on both the Centre and the learner.

7. Record Keeping

The Centre retains the following for every appeal for a minimum of 3 years:

  • The learner's appeal submission and evidence
  • The Stage 1 and Stage 2 outcomes
  • Records of any interviews or discussions
  • The final decision and any remedial action taken
  • Confirmation that the learner was informed of the outcome and the escalation route

8. Monitoring

The Centre Quality Lead reviews all appeals annually. The review identifies any patterns (e.g., repeated appeals against the same Assessor or the same unit) and recommends corrective or preventive action.

9. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually.

Approved by: ______________________ (Centre Director)

Date: ______________________