Aims and scope

Waverley Training Services (WTS) are a department of Waverley Borough Council, specialising in delivering high quality qualifications and training in a variety of subjects.

The Learners’ work is assessed by our tutors who have the appropriate qualifications and occupational competence alongside the knowledge, skills and behaviours in understanding what is required for assessment.

Learners written and recorded work are moderated by IQA (Internal Quality Assurance) sampling. This is to ensure standardisation and consistency when meeting set criteria of the standard.

If a Learner is not satisfied with the assessment of their work, they can make an appeal.  However, the appeal may only be made against the assessment process and not against the mark submitted to the awarding organisation. 

The purpose of an appeal is to identify if the correct processes, procedures and policies took place when arriving at a final decision.

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide support, clarification and guidance and define what is an appeal and identify the process needed to make an appeal.

Any appeal is usually a desk-based process and completed by a WTS employee. All delivery employees are competent in delivering the standard they deliver. The same process is followed for every type of appeal. 

To identify if the correct processes, procedures and policies took place, it is important to consider the following items, which could have an impact on the final decision:

• The outcome from a malpractice investigation.
• The findings presented in an RPL skill scan.
• An External Verifiers decision of a Learners assessed work.
• A decision to decline a request for reasonable adjustment or access arrangements.

Process

If you are dissatisfied, you have the right to appeal against a decision.  There are 3 stages to the appeals procedure and each stage must be completed before moving on to the next stage.

If you are dissatisfied about the standard of service that you have received then please follow the complaints procedure rather than appeals procedure.

Stage 1 – Teaching staff

If you are unsatisfied with an assessment decision made by your Assessor /Tutor, you need to discuss this with them initially, explaining what the problem is and why you feel that it was incorrect.  You will need to bring the work you believe is in dispute to the meeting asking them why they have come to that decision. You must notify your Assessor / Tutor within 7 days of receiving your assessment.

Stage 2 – Internal Quality Assurer

If you are unhappy with the outcome from stage 1, then this second appeal must be made in writing to the Internal Quality Assurer, stating why you are unhappy with the decision.  You must complete this written appeal within 7 days of receiving the outcome from stage 1. The IQA will respond within 5 working days.

Stage 3 – WTS Appeals Board with External Quality Assurer (EQA)

If you are unhappy with the outcome from stage 2, then you must appeal in writing to the Teaching and Learning Manager at WTS krystel.rajewski@wts.org.uk 

You must state why you are unhappy with the Assessor and Internal Quality Assurer decisions.  You must complete this written appeal within 7 days of receiving the outcome from stage 2. 

1. The appeal is submitted to the Awarding Organisation and EQA.
2. This is then reviewed and once a decision has been made you will be notified within 5 working days.
3. The decision of the Appeals Board will be final.

Summary

The appeals procedure aims to ensure the following:

• All Learners’ appeals will be acknowledged and investigated to establish the facts and evidence supporting the appeal.  If an appeal is considered justified, remedial action will be taken.
• All Learners who register an appeal will receive a formal reply.  It is intended the response will be to the satisfaction of the Learner wherever possible.
• All Learners should be aware of the existence of the appeals procedure, and what action they need to take in order to make use of it.

Version: 2
Publication date: December 2025
Next review date: December 2026