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1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 2
2. Definition of an Academic Appeal ............................................................................................ 2
3. Making an Academic Appeal .................................................................................................... 3
4. Review by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator .............................................................. 5
5. Responsibility ............................................................................................................................ 6
6. Unreasonable Demands or Persistence .................................................................................. 7
LSBF HIGHER NATIONAL PROGRAMMES: ACADEMIC APPEAL FORM .................................. 8
NOTE:
This policy does not apply to academic appeals lodged against assessment decisions on LSBF’s undergraduate or postgraduate academic programmes, for which separate
procedures are in place.
It does also does not apply to non-academic complaints, or appeals against refunds, admissions, disciplinary procedures or attendance monitoring/compliance issues.
Academic Appeals Statement: LSBF taught Higher National (HND/HNC) programmes Page 2 of 13
1. Introduction
1.1. This policy and procedure is intended to provide a means by which students on Higher
National (HND/HNC) programmes taught by The London School of Business and
Finance (LSBF) Vocational School can request a review of a published decision of a
programme Assessment Board, particularly as it applies to decisions on student
progression, assessment and awards.
1.2. LSBF’s approach to academic appeals is informed by the Quality Assurance Agency’s
Quality Code for Higher Education (Chapter B9). The Quality Code is the definitive
reference point for all UK higher education institutions and sets out how academic
standards are established and maintained, and how learning opportunities are assured
and enhanced.
1.3. LSBF, in executing any partner-specified academic appeals process, will seek to ensure
that:
1.3.1. all academic appeals are handled in manner which is fair, objective and timely to
facilitate speedy resolution;
1.3.2. no student will suffer disadvantage as a result of making an academic appeal;
1.3.3. specific procedures are readily accessible to students, taking into account
equality and diversity issues and barriers to access;
1.3.4. training is available for staff conducting appeals procedures;
1.3.5. where possible and to maintain impartiality, staff dealing with any stage of
escalation of an academic appeal will not have been involved in any of the
previous stages, except in an advisory capacity where required;
1.3.6. appropriate action is taken following an appeal process, and such actions are
recorded monitored
1.4. The only body vested with the power of decision on assessment results is the relevant
Assessment Board.
1.5. A copy of this policy can be accessed under the LMS section on MyPage for all current
students on higher national programmes.
2. Definition of an Academic Appeal
2.1. LSBF defines an academic appeal as ‘a request for a review of a decision of an
academic body charged with making decisions on assessment, student progression and
awards.’
2.2. The academic bodies charged with making those decisions are usually the Assessment
Boards for Higher National courses.
Academic Appeals Statement: LSBF taught Higher National (HND/HNC) programmes Page 3 of 13
Grounds for Making an Academic Appeal
2.3. All students registered on Higher National programmes taught by LSBF have the right to
appeal against the results of internal assessments provided they do so only on one or
more of the following grounds:
i. Procedural or administrative errors where the process leading to the decision has
not been carried out correctly. This would include arithmetical or other errors of
fact, or bias in the operation of the procedure;
ii. Exceptional personal circumstances which were not known to the Assessment
Board, and where the student can show good reason why such circumstances
could not have been made known to the Assessment Board when the student was
assessed, and which are shown to have had an adverse effect on the student's
performance;
iii. Defects or irregularities in the conduct of assessments or in written instructions or
in advice relating to the assessments which were not known to the Assessment
Board, when such defects, irregularities or advice are shown to have had an
adverse effect on the student's performance;
2.4. Appeals which question the academic judgement of examiners, or appeals on any
grounds other than those stipulated in i. to iii. above, shall not be admissible and the
appellant will be informed accordingly in writing.
3. Making an Academic Appeal
The stages of making an academic appeal are as follows:
3.1. Stage 1; Informal consultation with tutor or programme leader
In the first instance the student is advised to discuss the matter informally with a
member of staff directly involved in the assessment decision, such as a module tutor or
the programme leader who serves as the chief internal verifier, and they will clarify the
rationale behind the decision. If the student remains unsatisfied following consultation at
Stage 1, he/she can then evoke formal review of the assessment decision via stage 2,
outlined below.
3.2. STAGE 2, Formal review of an assessment decision
3.2.1. Any student who wishes to formally appeal against a decision of the Assessment Board
should submit an appeal to their programme administrator (using the form attached
below) within 10 days of the date of the publication of the Assessment Board decision
by the institution. The grounds for appeal must be clearly stated on the form and
relevant documentary evidence appended.
Academic Appeals Statement: LSBF taught Higher National (HND/HNC) programmes Page 4 of 13
3.2.2. On receiving the appeal, the Head of the LSBF Vocational School will appoint a senior
academic who has not been previously involved in the assessment decision in order to
review the appeal.
3.2.3. The senior academic will consider whether the appeal demonstrates one or more valid
grounds described above by seeking verification from the Chair of the relevant
Assessment Board. In the event that he/she considers that valid grounds have not been
demonstrated, in the first instance the senior academic or their nominee will notify the
student to explain why this is the case and to review his/her decision in light of any
further comments by made the student.
3.2.4. The Chair of the Assessment Board, or his/her nominee, shall inform the senior
academic handling the formal appeal of the outcome of the verification in writing no later
than 10 working days following receipt of the appeal. If the outcome of Internal
Verification (IV) is not received in writing within 10 working days, the senior academic
shall refer the appeal to the Assessment Board and the Assessment Board shall be re-
convened to review the case in light of the information presented in the appeal.
3.2.5. The senior academic shall consider the appeal on receipt of IV from the Chair of the
Assessment Board and decide either that:
A. The appeal be referred back to the Assessment Board, which will reconvene to
review the case in light of the information presented. The senior academic shall be
permitted to take such action where it has been established:
i. that result as published is incorrect or
ii. that defects or irregularities in the conduct of the assessments or in written
instructions or in advice relating thereto were not known to the Assessment
Board; or
iii. that the appeal contains exceptional personal circumstances which were not
known to the Assessment Board when the student was assessed and the
student has shown good reason why such circumstances could not have been
made known to the Assessment Board;
OR
B. The appeal shall be rejected and no further consideration will be given to the appeal.
The senior academic is required to disallow an appeal which is based wholly on factors
which were known to the Assessment Board concerned when the student's result was
determined and also to disallow appeals based on exceptional personal circumstances
which were not known to the Assessment Board when the student was assessed
where the student is unable to show good reason why such circumstances could not
have been made known to the Assessment Board before its meeting.
3.2.6. Where an appeal is referred to the Assessment Board by the senior academic handling
the appeal, the senior academic shall write to ask the Chair of the relevant Assessment
Board to re-convene a meeting of the Assessment Board to review the case in the light
of the information brought forward by the appeal.
Academic Appeals Statement: LSBF taught Higher National (HND/HNC) programmes Page 5 of 13
It will not necessarily follow that a student's result shall be changed from the result
originally published by the Assessment Board. The Chair of the Assessment Board
shall inform the senior academic of the decision of the re-convened Assessment Board
in writing no later than 21 days following its referral to the Assessment Board.
3.2.7. The senior academic or his/her nominee shall inform the appellant of the outcome of
his/her appeal in writing and, if appropriate, issue a supplementary result. The awarding
body shall also be informed of the outcome of all formal appeals.
3.2.8. LSBF will only consider a complaint against the outcome of an academic appeal based
on the following ground: namely irregularities in the conduct of the interim appeals
procedure, which are of such a nature as to cause reasonable doubt on whether the
same decision would have been reached had they not occurred.
3.2.9. Any such complaint will be dealt with in accordance with the Student Complaints
Procedure which can be found here:
http://www.lsbf.org.uk/students/student-complaints-policies-and-procedures
External Review of Academic Appeals
3.3. Where a student undertaking Higher National qualifications validated by Edexcel /
Pearson remains dissatisfied following LSBF’s academic appeals procedure, they have
recourse to make an enquiry or appeal, in writing, to the Pearson Vocational Quality
Standards team, who can be contacted at [email protected].
Evidence of the centre’s appeal procedure having been utilised must be provided.
Further information can be found here:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/Support/policies-for-centres-learners-
and-employees/Enquiries_and_Appeals_on_Pearson_Vocational_Qualifications.pdf
3.4. As per the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Appeals Guide, students, who are
undertaking Higher National qualifications validated by SQA have no further right of
appeal against internal assessment decisions. The final decision rests with LSBF. SQA
will not accept internal assessment appeals.
4. Review by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator
4.1. LSBF subscribes to the independent scheme for the review of student complaints and
appeals; if a student remains unsatisfied with the outcome of the complaint or appeal
following the completion of procedures, then they may be eligible to request a review by
the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA), for which a
Completion of Procedures (CoP) letter will be required.
4.2. Eligibility for a case to be reviewed by the OIA extends only to students on higher
education courses leading to awards from a body with UK degree awarding powers or
higher national (HND/HNC) qualifications awarded by Pearson or the Scottish
Qualifications Authority.
Academic Appeals Statement: LSBF taught Higher National (HND/HNC) programmes Page 6 of 13
4.3. The OIA’s list of what constitutes a ‘higher education’ course for these purposes is
available on its website: http://www.oiahe.org.uk/glossary.aspx#hecourse
4.4. When LSBF’s internal complaints and appeals procedures and those of the award’s
validating partner (if applicable) have been exhausted, a Completion of Procedures
(CoP) letter will be issued to the student. The CoP letter will:
confirm that all internal escalation and review stages have been completed;
give a specific date as to when the matter is considered to be closed;
summarise the case and state clearly the final outcome;
enclose any additional information on the case, including review panel reports;
advise the student how to contact the contact the OIA and the timescale for doing so.
Note: The CoP letter will be issued by the award’s validating partner institution.
4.5. Should a student decide to take their case to the OIA, their Scheme Application form
must be received by the OIA within 12 months of the date of the CoP letter. The OIA
will make a decision in accordance with its rules as to whether or not the request is
eligible for review.
4.6. The OIA will communicate its findings to the student and to LSBF, who will act on them
accordingly and within the specified timescale. Further information on the rules
pertaining to the student complaints scheme can be found here:
http://www.oiahe.org.uk/media/100294/oia-rules-july-2015.pdf
5. Responsibility
5.1. Responsibility for the update, implementation and monitoring of policy governing
academic appeals rests with the Academic Board. The Academic Board will additionally
monitor the effectiveness of appeals handling, the substance of academic appeals and
appeal outcomes in order to drive continuous quality enhancement.
5.2. The design, creation and maintenance of specific academic appeals procedures and
templates is the responsibility of senior academics within the LSBF Vocational School.
5.3. Responsibility for submitting an academic appeal in the correct manner, in time and with
all required supporting evidence rests solely with the student/appellant. The appellant is
additionally responsible for their own punctual attendance and representation should
this be requested of them at any stage during their appeal.
5.4. Implementation of actions arising from any stage of the academic appeals process is the
responsibility of the programme’s Administration and/or Exams and Assessments
teams. Ratification of these actions rests with the programme’s Assessment Board.
5.5. Issuance of the Completion of Procedure letter is the responsibility of the award’s
validating partner institution.
Academic Appeals Statement: LSBF taught Higher National (HND/HNC) programmes Page 7 of 13
5.6. Monitoring of appeals and resolution times is undertaken by senior academic
management reporting to the Academic Board in order to inform development and
quality enhancement.
5.7. The College is responsible for the protection of Appellants’ personal information in
accordance with its obligations under the Data Protection Act (1998). Appellants’
personal information will be shared internally on a strictly need-to-know basis. This
information will be kept securely on file by LSBF for a minimum of 18 months.
6. Unreasonable Demands or Persistence
6.1. Whilst it is understood that an appellant may be experiencing anxiety as the result of the
circumstances surrounding their appeal, they are expected nonetheless to conduct
themselves in a reasonable manner and in accordance with the Student Code of
Conduct.
6.2. Students or appellants are expected not to engage in making academic appeals which
are of a petty or harassing nature, or make unreasonable demands of the persons
processing the appeal.
6.3. Examples of unreasonable demands on the part of the appellant may include:
requesting responses within an unreasonable timeframe; insisting on seeing or speaking
to a specific member of staff; continual phone calls, emails or letters; repeatedly
changing the substance of the appeal, or raising unrelated concerns.
6.4. Where the appellant is considered to be acting unreasonably they will be told why this
unacceptable and given the opportunity to modify their behaviour. If the unreasonable
behaviour continues, LSBF will take the appropriate measures, including referring
students to the disciplinary procedures and terminating consideration of the appeal.
Academic Appeals Statement: LSBF taught Higher National (HND/HNC) programmes Page 8 of 13
LSBF HIGHER NATIONAL PROGRAMMES: ACADEMIC APPEAL FORM
Before completing this form please read the Academic Appeals Policy and Procedure. Any supporting
evidence must be attached to this form.
Appeals will not be accepted in any other format and have to arrive no later than TEN (10) days from the
date of receiving your result. This Appeal form should be completed and sent by e-mail to one of the
following addresses
For students on Higher National Programmes validated by Pearson / EDEXCEL:
For students on Higher National Programmes validated by the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA):
Full Name
LSBF ID No.
Email Address
Cohort / Group
Unit name
I wish to appeal against the decision of the Assessment Board on the grounds that (tick one or
more relevant boxes):
There have been procedural or administrative errors made which have led to an
incorrect assessment decision (these might include arithmetical or other errors of fact, or
bias in the operation of the procedure);
Please complete Section 1 below.
There were exceptional personal circumstances which were not known to the Assessment
Board, and where I can show good reason why such circumstances could not have been
made known to the Assessment Board when I was assessed, and which can be shown to
have had an adverse effect on my performance. Please complete Section 2 below.
There were defects or irregularities in the conduct of the assessments or in written
instructions or in advice relating to the assessments which were not known to the
Assessment Board and which can be shown to have had an adverse effect on my
performance. Please complete Section 3 below
Please note that you are not permitted to appeal on any grounds other than those given above.
Form continues over:
Academic Appeals Statement: LSBF taught Higher National (HND/HNC) programmes Page 9 of 13
SECTION 1
Please explain the administrative or procedural errors you believe have occurred in the assessment of
your work. (Please provide supporting documents).
Continue on a separate sheet, if necessary
SECTION 2
Did you report any exceptional personal circumstances to the Chair of the Assessment Board, your
Programme Leader or a member of support staff before the meeting of the Assessment Board?
(please tick the appropriate box)
Yes Please complete section 2.1
No Please complete sections 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4
2.1 Please specify to whom the circumstances were reported and provide full details of any
exceptional personal circumstances you had reported previously. If there are any additional
circumstances that have not been previously reported please complete sections 2.2, 2.3 and
2.4.
Continue on a separate sheet, if necessary
Academic Appeals Statement: LSBF taught Higher National (HND/HNC) programmes Page 10 of 13
Section 2 continued
2.2 Please provide details of any exceptional personal circumstances you have not reported
previously to the Chair of the Assessment Board.
Appeals on medical grounds will not be considered without written evidence from a medical
practitioner (or other health professional) which should be attached to this Form.
2.3 Please state why you did not report the circumstances detailed in 2.2 above to the Chair of the
Assessment Board before the meeting of the Board.
2.4 Please state why you believe the circumstances detailed in 2.2 above had an adverse effect
on your performance.
Continue on a separate sheet, if necessary
Academic Appeals Statement: LSBF taught Higher National (HND/HNC) programmes Page 11 of 13
SECTION 3
3.1 Please state the defects or irregularities in the written instructions or advice relating to the units
assessment criteria you believe to have occurred.
3.2 Please state why you believe the defects or irregularities detailed in 3.1 above had an adverse
effect on your performance.
Continue on a separate sheet, if necessary
No further submission will be considered.
I declare that the information given on this Form and documentary evidence attached, if any, is a
true statement of the facts to the best of my knowledge and belief.
......................................................................... ................/................/…….........
Signed (Appellant) Date
Academic Appeals Statement: LSBF taught Higher National (HND/HNC) programmes Page 12 of 13
Document Information Table
Version 1.2
Applicable Institution(s) The London School of Business and Finance (LSBF): Vocational School
LSBF Manchester
Finance Business Training (FBT)
Document Scope: Document applicable to academic appeals against assessment decisions only on Higher National
programmes taught by the above institutions.
This policy does not apply to academic appeals lodged against assessment decisions on LSBF’s
undergraduate or postgraduate academic programmes, for which separate procedures are in place. It
does also does not apply to non-academic complaints, or appeals against refunds, admissions,
disciplinary procedures or attendance monitoring/compliance issues.
Document Status: ACTIVE
Content Owner* The LSBF Academic Board
*Content owner is responsible for ensuring the regular review and update of the document to reflect changes in both internal
governance and external regulations.
Authorship
Name Role Date
Original author(s): L. Yi Senior Programme Leader (Voc. Sch.) JAN ‘16
Original reviewer(s)
(including student
reviewers if applicable):
Policy Working Group (PWG) --- MAR ‘16
K. Kizhner Head of Studies, Undergraduate Bus. Sch. JUL ‘16
N. Cardy Project Manager, Internal Process Audit JUL ‘16
Original approval given by: Policy Working Group (Provisional) --- JUN ‘16
APAD Committee (Final) --- JUL ‘16
---
Annual /Biannual Review
Date Due Done Date Due Done
1. 01 / 2016 2. 07 / 2016
3. 01 / 2017 4. 01 / 2018
5. 01 / 2019 6. 01 / 2020
7. 01 / 2021 8. 01 / 2022
Academic Appeals Statement: LSBF taught Higher National (HND/HNC) programmes Page 13 of 13
Version Control Table
Version 1.0 Name Role Date
Created by: Lee Yi Senior Programme Leader (Voc. Sch.) JAN ‘16
Original draft version
Approved by: Policy Working Group (Provisional) MAR 16
Version 1.1 Name Role
Amended by: N. Cardy Project Manager, Internal Process Audit JUN ‘16
Formatting; Consolidation of Edexcel / SQA Versions; OIA information clause.
Changes approved by: Policy Working Group (Provisional) JUN ‘16
Version 1.2 Name Role Date
Amended by: N. Cardy
K. Kizhner
Project Manager, Internal Process Audit
Head of Studies, Undergraduate Bus. Sch. JUL ‘16
KK_ Suggested amendments relating to feedback provided by QAA at HER meeting.
NC_ addition of introductory content + definition of Academic appeal
Reviewed by APAD – minor revisions to Section 3
Changes approved by: Academic Planning and Development (APAD) Committee (Final Sign-off) JUL ‘16
Version Name Role Date
Amended by:
Details of amendments:
Changes approved by:
Version Name Role Date
Amended by:
Details of amendments:
Changes approved by:
Version Name Role Date
Amended by:
Details of amendments:
Changes approved by:
Version Name Role Date
Amended by:
Details of amendments:
Changes approved by:
