BSC Examinations Result Enquiries and Appeals Policy

The BSC endorses the right of individuals to enquire about their result and to appeal against the outcome of that enquiry. Procedures are in place to ensure that result enquiries and appeals are dealt with thoroughly and fairly.

Aresult enquiry or an appeal can result in a grade being confirmed, raised or lowered. Where a grade is changed, the new grade will replace the original grade, whether it is higher or lower.

Result Enquiries

A result enquiry is the first step for centres or private candidates that wish to enquire about or challenge aresult. The appeal stage is only available to centres or private candidates who remain dissatisfied after the outcome of a result enquiry.

For a Level 1 qualification only the Head of Centre can make a result enquiry. For qualifications at Level 2 and above, only candidates can make a result enquiry, not a person or organisation acting on their behalf.

The BSC reserves the right not to consider result enquiries if the request is submitted more than 14 days after the result issue date.

There are four result enquiry services. Only one request for each service is permitted for each attempt at an assessment component or unit.

Result enquiry fees are published on the Result Enquiry Application Form and payment must be included with the application.

Service 1 - Clerical Re-check

A clerical re-check involves checking:

that all parts of the script have been marked;
the totalling of marks;
the recording of marks;
the application of grade boundaries;
the application, where applicable, of any special consideration.

Candidates requesting Service 1 should indicate if special consideration was requested.

AResult Enquiry Application Form must be received by BSC Examinations within 14 days of the result issue date. Any certificate which has been issued relating to that component/unit must also be included. The BSC will acknowledge the request within 2 working days. The outcome of the clerical re-check will be reported to the Head of Centre or candidate in writing within 5 working days.

Service 2 - Access to Candidate Marks

This service provides candidates with the opportunity to receive a breakdown of their marks, i.e. the marks scored on each question and part-question. Service 2 also includes Service 1 (clerical check).

A Result Enquiry Application Form must be received by BSC Examinations within 14 days of the result issue date. The marks will be sent to the candidate within 5 working days.

Service 3 - Report on Performance

This service involves the candidate?s script being sent to an examiner and a brief report (typically two sides of A4) prepared on the candidate?s individual performance in relation to each question. Service 3 also includes Service 1 (clerical check) and Service 2 (access to marks).

AResult Enquiry Application Form must be received by BSC Examinations within 14 days of the result issue date. The written report will be sent to the candidate within 25 working days.

Service 4 - Re-mark

This service involves a re-mark of the component or unit by a senior examiner. Service 4 also includes Service 1 (clerical check), Service 2 (access to marks) and Service 3 (report on performance).

AResult Enquiry Application Form must be received by BSC Examinations within 14 days of the result issue date. Any certificate which has been issued relating to that component/unit must also be included. The BSC will acknowledge the request within 2 working days. The outcome of the re-mark will be reported to the candidate in writing, with brief feedback from the examiner, within 25 working days.

Appeals

The appeals process is available to Heads of Centre (at Level 1) or private candidates (at Level 2 and above) who remain dissatisfied after the outcome of a result enquiry.

Appeals must be submitted within 14 days of notification of the outcome of a result enquiry.

For a Level 1 qualification, only the Head of Centre can appeal. For qualifications at Level 2 and above, only candidates can appeal, not a person or organisation acting on their behalf.

The appeals process investigates whether procedures have been followed correctly; it is not concerned with making judgments about a candidate?s work. An appeal does not involve a re-mark, but re-marking can be ordered by the Appeals Committee if it finds that procedures have not been followed properly.

Appeals must be made in writing, clearly stating the grounds for appeal. The grounds for appeal must be related to the BSC?s procedures or the application of those procedures.

The Appeals Process

The appeals process comprises two sequential stages. Stage 1 must be completed before Stage 2. Each stage has an associated fee.

If the outcome of a Stage 1 appeal is that the appeal is not upheld, the candidate has the right to request a Stage 2 appeal.

If the outcome of a Stage 2 appeal is that the appeal is not upheld, then the BSC will consider the matter closed.

If at either Stage 1 or Stage 2 the appeal is upheld, the BSC will refund all fees associated with the result enquiry and the subsequent appeal.

The BSC reserves the right not to consider appeals if the request is submitted after the published deadline.

Stage 1

To request a Stage 1 appeal the Head of Centre or candidate must write to the Director of Qualifications, BSC Examinations, within 14 days of receiving the outcome of the associated result enquiry. The request should include a clear statement of the grounds on which the appeal is based together with any supporting evidence. A fee of £80 is charged and a cheque for this amount (made payable to British Safety Council) must be included with the request.

The BSC will acknowledge the request within 2 working days.

The Director of Qualifications or his nominee will investigate the case and prepare a written report which will be sent to the Head of Centre or candidate within 20 working days. The Head of Centre or candidate then has an opportunity to decide whether to proceed to Stage 2.

Stage 2

To request a Stage 2 appeal the Head of Centre or candidate must write to the Director of Qualifications, BSC Examinations, within 14 days of receiving the outcome of the associated Stage 1 appeal. The request should include a clear statement of the grounds on which the further appeal is based together with any supporting evidence. A fee of £120 is charged and a cheque for this amount (made payable to British Safety Council) must be included with the request.

The case will be presented to the Appeals Committee, which is chaired by an independent assessment expert from another awarding body.

TThe outcome of the appeal will normally be sent to the Head of Centre or candidate within 28 days. The Head of Centre/candidate will be informed if there are reasons for this period extending beyond 28 days.