TIS Exams Policy

Contents

The policy is next due for review May 2022

The purpose of this exams policy is:

• to ensure the planning and management of exams is conducted efficiently and in the best interests of candidates;
• to ensure the operation of an efficient exams system with clear guidelines for all relevant staff.

It is the responsibility of everyone involved in the centre's exam processes to read, understand and implement this policy.

The exams policy will be reviewed every year.

The exams policy will be reviewed by Kat Steel, Exams officer, with support from Simon Bowley, (Head of Centre).

Where references are made to JCQ regulations/guidelines, further details can be found at www.jcq.org.uk.

Exam responsibilities

The head of centre:

• has overall responsibility for the school/college as an exams centre and advises on appeals and re-marks.
• is responsible for reporting all suspected or actual incidents of malpractice - refer to the JCQ document Suspected malpractice in examinations and assessments.

Exams officer:

• manages the administration of internal exams
• advises the Directors, teachers ,class tutors, and other relevant support staff on annual exams timetables and procedures as set by the various awarding bodies
• oversees the production and distribution, to all centre staff and candidates, of an annual calendar for all exams in which candidates will be involved
• ensures that candidates and their parents are informed of and understand those aspects of the exams timetable that will affect them
• checks with teaching staff that the necessary coursework and/or controlled assessments are completed on time and in accordance with JCQ guidelines
• provides and confirms detailed data on estimated entries
• maintains systems and processes to support the timely entry of candidates for their exams
• receives, checks and stores securely all exam papers and completed scripts and ensures that scripts are dispatched as per the guidelines
• administers access arrangements and makes applications for special consideration following the regulations in the JCQ publication A guide to the special consideration process
• identifies and manages exam timetable clashes
• accounts for income and expenditures relating to all exam costs/charges
• organising the recruitment, training, and monitoring of a team of exams invigilators responsible for the conduct of exams
• ensures candidates' coursework / controlled assessment marks are submitted, and any other material required by the appropriate awarding bodies correctly and on schedule
• tracks, dispatches, and stores returned coursework / controlled assessments
• arranges for dissemination of exam results and certificates to candidates and forwards, in consultation with the head of centre, any post results service requests

The Headteacher, with guidance from the exams officer, is responsible for:

• guidance and pastoral oversight of candidates who are unsure about exams entries or amendments to entries.

• accurate completion of entry and all other mark sheets and adherence to deadlines as set by the exams officer.
• accurate completion of coursework / controlled assessment mark sheets and declaration sheets.
• decisions on post-results procedures.

Teachers are responsible for:

• supplying information on entries, coursework and controlled assessments as required by the head of department and/or exams officer.

The special educational needs and disability coordinator (SENDCo) is responsible for:

• identification and testing of candidates’ requirements for access arrangements and notifying the exams officer in good time so that they are able to put in place exam day arrangements
• process any necessary applications in order to gain approval (if required).
• working with the exams officer to provide the access arrangements required by candidates in exams rooms.

Invigilators are responsible for:

• assisting the exams officer in the efficient running of exams according to JCQ regulations.
• collection of exam papers and other material from the exams office before the start of the exam.
• collection of all exam papers in the correct order at the end of the exam and ensuring their return to the exams office.

Candidates are responsible for:

• confirmation and signing of entries.
• understanding coursework / controlled assessment regulations and signing a declaration that authenticates the coursework as their own.
• ensuring they conduct themselves in all exams according to the JCQ regulations.

Qualifications offered

The qualifications offered at this centre are decided by the Headteacher.

The types of qualifications offered (June 2024)  are:

GCSE

The subjects offered for these qualifications in any academic year may be found on the school’s website or similar documents for that year. Informing the exams office of changes to a specification is the responsibility of the subject teacher.

Decisions on whether a candidate should be entered for a particular subject will be taken by the Headteacher in consultation with the subject teachers.

Exam series

Teacher Graded Assessments are scheduled to be completed by the end of the first week back in term 6.

Internal exams are held under external exam conditions.

The Headteacher, along with subject teachers, decides which exam series are used in the centre.

Exam timetables

Once confirmed, the exams officer will circulate the exam timetables for external exams at a specified date before each series begins.

Entries, entry details and late entries

Candidates or parents/carers can request a subject entry, change of level or withdrawal.

The centre does not accept private candidates currently.

The centre does not act as an exams centre for other organisations.

Entry deadlines are circulated to all teachers via email and briefing meetings.

Heads of department/curriculum will provide estimated entry information to the exams officer to meet JCQ and awarding body deadlines upon request by the exams officer.

Entries and amendments made after an awarding organisation’s deadline (i.e. late) require the authorisation, in writing, of the Headteacher.

GCSE re-sits/retakes are allowed.

Re-sit decisions will be made by subject teachers in consultation with the Headteacher.

Exam fees

Candidates or departments will not be charged for changes of tier, withdrawals made by the proper procedures or alterations arising from administrative processes provided these are made within the time allowed by the awarding bodies.

The exams officer will publish the deadline for actions well in advance for each exam series.

GCSE entry exam fees are paid by candidates' parents. Currently this amounts to £490 per student. This fee will be added to year 11 invoices and the cost spread across the year.

Late entry or amendment fees are paid by the centre unless requested by parents and approved by the headteacher after the due date.

Equality Legislation

All exam centre staff must ensure that they meet the requirements of any equality legislation.

The centre will comply with the legislation, including making reasonable adjustments to the service that they provide to candidates in accordance with requirements defined by the legislation, awarding bodies, and JCQ. This is the responsibility of the exams officer.

Access arrangements

The SENDCo will inform subject teachers of candidates with special educational needs and any special arrangements that individual candidates will need during the course and in any assessments/exams.

A candidate's access arrangements requirement is determined by the SENDCo and Exams officer.

Ensuring there is appropriate evidence for a candidate’s access arrangement is the responsibility of the SENDCo.

Submitting completed access arrangement applications to the awarding bodies is the responsibility of the Exams officer.

Rooming for access arrangement candidates will be arranged by the Exams officer

Invigilation and support for access arrangement candidates, as defined in the JCQ access arrangements regulations, will be organised by the Exams officer.

Contingency planning

Contingency planning for exams administration is the responsibility of the Head of Centre..

Contingency plans are available via email and will be shared at briefing meetings and are in line with the guidance provided by Ofqual, JCQ and awarding organisations.  See Appendices A and B: Exam Contingency Plan and Exam Day Contingency Plan

Parents/Carers will be notified by email of any National Examination Contingency Days

Estimated grades

The Deputy Headteacher is responsible for submitting estimated grades to the exams officer when requested by the exams officer.

Quality Assurance

Totnes Independent School is committed to Quality Assurance and believes it is an integral part of the Centre’s processes.

The focus of the school is on Learners with the provision of relevant qualifications and assessment to suit their needs. The provision is regularly monitored and reviewed by the Directors with the Headteacher and the SENDCo.

All staff involved in the administration and/or assessment of qualifications will have undergone relevant training to their role

Information from the awarding body is disseminated to all members of staff involved in the delivery of qualifications.

The Equal Opportunities Policy is followed and monitored.

• For manual testing and evidence based assessment:

• An Internal Verification process is in place to ensure that consistent testing and assessment standards are maintained by cross-marking.
• Internal Verification is carried out on an on-going basis.
• All cases of borderline achievement are Internally Verified.
• At least 10% of other assessments are checked across all markers and modules.
• Where a new marker is assessed, all work is double marked until the Centre Manager is satisfied with the standard.
• Internal Verification is recorded on Learner work and records and on central recording systems.

Managing invigilators

Recruitment of invigilators is the responsibility of the HR Director

Securing the necessary Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) clearance for new invigilators is the responsibility of the HR Director, with support from the school’s admin team.

DBS fees for securing such clearance are paid by the centre.

Invigilators’ rates of pay are set by the HR Director

Invigilators are recruited, timetabled, trained, and briefed by the Exams officer.

All new invigilators will be observed during their first test session and annually thereafter to ensure assessment regulations are being followed. Existing invigilators will be observed by the Exams Officer conducting an assessment at least once a year. Where the Exams Officer acts as an Invigilator, s/he will be observed by the Head of Centre.  In all cases, Observation sheets will be completed and kept for Audit.

Malpractice

The Headteacher in consultation with the Exams Officer is responsible for investigating suspected malpractice.

Malpractice is any activity or practice which deliberately contravenes regulations and compromises the integrity of the internal or external assessment process and/or the validity of certificates.  It covers any deliberate actions, neglect, default or other practice that compromises, or could compromise:

• the assessment process
• the integrity of a regulated qualification
• the validity of a result or certificate
• the reputation and credibility of BCS or any other Exam Board
• the qualification or the wider qualifications community

Malpractice may include a range of issues from the failure to maintain appropriate records or systems to the deliberate falsification of records in order to claim certificates.

For the purpose of this policy this term also covers misconduct and forms of unnecessary discrimination or bias towards certain/groups of learners.

Maladministration is any activity or practice which results in non-compliance with administrative regulations and requirements and includes the application of persistent mistakes or poor administration (e.g. within a centre, inappropriate learner records).

Process for reporting an event of malpractice or maladministration

In the case of any suspected or actual cases of malpractice or maladministration at any time the person suspecting it must immediately notify the relevant awarding body. The Centre will cooperate fully with the Awarding Organisation or investigating Regulator and supply timely, accurate and full information to them.

An internal investigation will commence within two working days and be completed within two weeks.

If any aspect of the internal investigation is carried out prior to formally notifying the Exam Board, the centre will ensure that staff involved in the initial investigation are competent and have no personal interest in the outcome of the investigation.  However, in all instances the centre will immediately notify the Exam Board if malpractice is suspected or maladministration has occurred as the Board has a responsibility to the regulatory authorities to ensure that all investigations are carried out rigorously and effectively.

Exam days

The exams officer will book all exam rooms after liaison with other users and make the question papers, other exam stationery and materials available for the invigilator.

Teaching staff are responsible for setting up the allocated rooms, and will be advised of requirements in advance.

The Exams officer will be responsible for the start and finish of all exams in accordance with JCQ guidelines.

Subject staff may be present at the start of the exam to assist with identification of candidates. Any staff present must be in accordance with the rules defined by JCQ concerning who is allowed in the exam room and what they can do.

In practical exams, subject teachers’ availability will be in accordance with JCQ guidelines.

Exam papers must not be read by subject teachers before the end of a session. Papers will be distributed to heads of department in accordance with JCQ’s recommendations and no later than 48 hours after candidates have completed them.  

After an exam, the exams officer will arrange for the safe dispatch of completed examination scripts to awarding bodies, working in conjunction with the school’s admin team.  See Appendix B: Exam Day Contingency Plan

Mitigating AI use in NEA written coursework

As an exams centre we will endeavour to:

• Maintain a malpractice policy that covers AI use, including guidelines on when AI may be used and how it should be acknowledged.
• Regularly review and update policies to reflect AI developments and associated risks.
• Ensure staff are trained to identify AI misuse.
• Communicate with parents about AI-related risks and the importance of students' work being their own.
• Ensure students are aware of the consequences of AI misuse, including potential disqualification.
• Ensure students understand their declaration of authenticity and the penalties for false declarations.
• Have a process for addressing AI misuse within the centre before declarations of authenticity are made.
• Ensure teachers do not rely solely on AI tools for marking student work.
• Ensure students using computers for assessments cannot access AI tools if prohibited.

Candidates

The exams officer will provide written information to candidates in advance of each exam series. A formal briefing session for candidates may be given by the Exams officer.

The centre's published rules on acceptable dress and behaviour apply at all times. Candidates' personal belongings remain their own responsibility and the centre accepts no liability for their loss or damage.

In an exam room candidates must not have access to items other than those clearly allowed in the instructions on the question paper, the stationery list, or the specification for that subject. This is particularly true of mobile phones and other electronic communication or storage devices with text or digital facilities. Any precluded items must not be taken into an exam room.

Disruptive candidates are dealt with in accordance with JCQ guidelines. Candidates are expected to stay for the full exam time at the discretion of the Exams officer.

Note: candidates who leave an exam room must be accompanied by an appropriate member of staff at all times.

The Exams officer is responsible for handling late or absent candidates on exam day.

Clash candidates

The Exams officer will be responsible as necessary for supervising escorts, identifying a secure venue and arranging overnight stays.

Special consideration

Should a candidate be unable to attend an exam because of illness, suffer bereavement or other trauma, be ill or otherwise disadvantaged or disturbed during an exam, then it is the candidate's responsibility to alert the centre’s Exam officer to that effect.

The candidate must support any special consideration claim with appropriate evidence within 3 working days of the exam.

The exams officer will make a special consideration application to the relevant awarding body within 5 working days of the exam.

Internal assessment

It is the duty of heads of department to ensure that all internal assessment is ready for dispatch at the correct time. The exams officer will assist by keeping a record of each dispatch, including the recipient details and the date and time sent.

Marks for all internally assessed work are provided to the exams office by the Exams officer. The exams officer will inform staff of the date when appeals against internal assessments must be made by. Any appeals will be dealt with in accordance with the centre’s Internal Appeals Procedure (IAP) document.  See Appendix C: Reviews of Marking

Results

Candidates will receive individual results slips on results days:

• collected and signed for.

The results slip will be in the form of a centre produced document. 

Arrangements for the centre to be open on results days are made by the Exams officer.

The provision of the necessary staff on results days is the responsibility of the Headteacher.

Enquiries about Results (EAR)

EARs may be requested by centre staff or the candidate following the release of results. A request for a re-mark or clerical check requires the written consent of the candidate, a request for a re-moderation of internally assessed work may be submitted without the consent of the group of candidates.

The cost of EARs will be paid by the candidate.

All decisions on whether to make an application for an EAR will be made by the Headteacher.

If a candidate’s request for an EAR is not supported, the candidate may appeal and the centre will respond by following the process in its Appeals Procedure.

All processing of EARs will be the responsibility of the Exams officer following the JCQ guidance.  See Appendix C: Reviews of Marking

Access to Scripts (ATS)

After the release of results, candidates may ask subject staff to request the return of written exam papers within 60 days of the receipt of results.

Centre staff may also request scripts for investigation or for teaching purposes. For the latter, the consent of candidates must be obtained.

An EAR cannot be applied for once an original script has been returned.

The cost of EARs will be paid by the candidate.

Processing of requests for ATS will be the responsibility of the Exams officer.

Certificates

Candidates will receive their certificates:

• in person at the Centre: They will be collected and signed for.

Certificates can be collected on behalf of a candidate by third parties, provided they have written authority from the candidate to do so, and bring suitable identification with them that confirms who they are.

The centre retains certificates for 3 years.

A new certificate will not be issued by an awarding organisation. A transcript of results may be issued if a candidate agrees to pay the costs incurred.

Totnes Independent School will revise and review this policy regularly.

Review date: Sept 2026

Signed:

Kat Steel    

Exams Officer

Exam Contingency Plan 2024

Contents                      

Purpose of the plan                                                                                2

Causes of potential disruption to the exam process                                                2

1.       Exam Officer extended absence at key points in the exam cycle                                2

2.       SENDCo extended absence at key point in the exam cycle                                3

3.       Teaching Staff extended absence at key points in the exam cycle                        4

4.       Invigilators: lack of appropriately trained invigilators or invigilator absence                4

5.       Exam rooms: lack of appropriate rooms or main venues unavailable at short notice        5

6.       Failure of IT systems                                                                        5

7.       Disruption of teaching time/centre closed for extended period                                5

8.       Centre unable to open as normal during exam periods                                        6

9.       Candidates unable to take examinations because of a crisis (centre remains open)        6

10.    Disruption to the transportation of completed examination scripts                        6

11.    Assessment material is not available to be marked                                        6

12.    Centre unable to distribute results as normal                                                7

Further guidance to inform and implement contingency planning                                7

Purpose of the plan

This plan examines potential risks and issues that could cause disruption to the management and administration of the exam process at Totnes Independent School.  By outlining actions/procedures to be followed in case of disruption it is intended to mitigate the impact these disruptions have on our exam process.

At all times, the Exams Officer, the Principal and the Headteacher will liaise with the relevant Awarding Body to ensure any contingency plans meet with its requirements and that JCQ regulations are adhered to where possible.

Alongside internal processes, this plan is informed by information contained in the Joint Contingency Plan for the examination system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland where it states that:

Centres should prepare plans for any disruption to examinations as part of their general planning.  It is important to ensure that relevant centre staff are familiar with the plan.  Consideration should be given as to how these arrangements will be communicated to candidates, parents and staff should disruption to examinations occur.

Causes of potential disruption to the exam process

1.       Exam Officer extended absence at key points in the exam cycle

Criteria for the implementation of the plan

Key tasks required in the management and administration of the exam cycle not undertaken, including:

·         Planning

o Annual data collection exercise not undertaken to collate information on qualifications and awarding body specifications being delivered

o   Annual exams plan not produced identifying key tasks, key dates and deadlines

o   Sufficient invigilators not being recruited

·         Entries

o   Awarding bodies not being informed of early/estimated entries which prompts release of early information required by teaching staff

o Candidates not being entered with awarding bodies for external exams/assessment

o  Awarding body entry deadlines missed or late or other penalty fees being incurred

·         Pre-exams

o    Exam timetabling, rooming allocation and invigilation schemes not prepared

o  Candidates not briefed on exam timetables and awarding body information for candidates

o   Exam/assessment materials and candidates’ work not stored under required

    secure conditions

o  Internal assessment marks and samples of candidates’ work not submitted to awarding bodies/external moderators

·         Exam time

o  Exams/assessments not taken under the conditions prescribed by awarding bodies

o Required reports/requests not submitted to awarding bodies during exam/assessment periods, e.g. very late arrival, suspected malpractice, special consideration

o    Candidates’ scripts not dispatched as required to awarding bodies

·         Results and post-results

o   Access to examination results affecting the distribution of results to candidates

o   The facilitation of the post-results service

Centre actions:

Head of centre to assume responsibility for the above tasks with the support of the Management Team.

Contact neighbouring secondary schools to request Exam Officer support where appropriate

2.       SENDCo extended absence at key point in the exam cycle

Criteria for the implementation of the plan

Key tasks required in the management and administration of the access arrangements process within the exams cycle not undertaken, including:

·         Planning

o Candidates not tested/assessed to identify potential access arrangement requirements

o   Evidence of need and evidence to support normal way of working not collated

·         Pre-exams

o   Approval for access arrangements not applied for o the awarding body

o   Modified paper requirements not identified in a timely manner to enable ordering to meet external deadlines

o   Staff providing support to access arrangements not allocated and trained

·         Exam time

o   Access arrangement candidate support not arranged for exam rooms

3

Centre actions:

·     Teaching Assistants and the Exams Officer to work with Management to identify students for whom applications for access arrangements may be required.  The employment of outside agencies/professionals may be required.

3.       Teaching Staff extended absence at key points in the exam cycle

Criteria for the implementation of the plan

Key tasks not undertaken, including:

·         Early/estimated entry information not provided to the exams officer on time, resulting in pre-release information not being received

·         Final entry information not provided to the Exams Officer in time, resulting in:

o   Candidates not being entered for exams/assessments or being entered late

o   Late or other penalty fees being charged by awarding bodies

·         Internal assessment marks and candidates’ work not provided to meet submission deadlines

Centre actions:

·         Other subject staff to assume marking workload and prioritising of assessments for external awards, to be directed by Management Team

·         The Exams Officer to liaise with Management Team to ensure all necessary deadlines are adhered to.  Where this is not possible, the Exams Officer will liaise with the relevant Awarding Body and act upon the advice received

4.       Invigilators: lack of appropriately trained invigilators or invigilator absence

Criteria for the implementation of the plan

·         Failure to recruit and train sufficient invigilators to conduct exams

·         Invigilator shortage on peak exam days

·         Invigilator absence on the day of an exam

Centre actions:

·         The Exams Officer will review the invigilation staffing at the start of each exam cycle to ensure sufficient staff are recruited and trained in a timely fashion

·         The Exams Officer will be aware of the school staff available for invigilation duties at short notice and for peak exam days

4

5.       Exam rooms: lack of appropriate rooms or main venues unavailable at short notice

Criteria for the implementation of the plan

·      Exams Officer unable to identify sufficient/appropriate rooms during exams timetable planning

·         Insufficient rooms unavailable on peak exams days

·         Main exam venues unavailable due to an unexpected incident at exam time

Centre actions:

·         The Exams Officer will organise rooming for exams well in advance of examination windows, ensuring sufficient time is available to identify appropriate rooms and plan appropriately

·         In the event of a room not being available at very short notice, sufficient staff will be made available to ensure the security of the examination is not compromised whilst alternative rooming is sourced.  The Management Team will work with the Exams Officer during such emergencies

6.       Failure of IT systems

Criteria for the implementation of the plan

·         System failure at final entry deadline

·         System failure during exams preparation

·         System failure at results release time

Centre actions:

·         The Exams Officer, in consultation with the Management Team, will make entries from another venue direct to the Awarding Bodies

·         Results may be accessed directly from the Awarding Body

·         At all times during the systems failure, the Exams Officer will liaise with the Awarding Body to minimise disruption and costs incurred

7.       Disruption of teaching time/centre closed for extended period

Criteria for the implementation of the plan

·         Centre closed or candidates are unable to attend for an extended period during normal teaching or supported study time, interrupting the provision of normal teaching and learning

Centre actions:

·         The Management Team will manage all such incidents in line with the Business Continuity Plan and or guidance from the awarding bodies/government.

5

8.       Centre unable to open as normal during exam periods

Criteria for the implementation of the plan

·         The Centre unable to open as normal for scheduled examinations

Centre actions:

·         The Exams Officer will inform the Awarding Bodies as soon as possible

·         The Exams Officer will contact the Awarding Bodies to discuss alternative arrangements

·         The Management Team will take appropriate action in line with the Business Continuity Plan

9.       Candidates unable to take examinations because of a crisis (centre remains open)

Criteria for the implementation of the plan

·         Candidates are unable to attend the examination centre to take exams as normal

Centre actions:

·         The Exams Officer will contact the Awarding Bodies to discuss alternative arrangements/special consideration and liaise with the Management Team to take appropriate action

10.   Disruption to the transportation of completed examination scripts

Criteria for the implementation of the plan

·         Delay in normal collection arrangements for completed examination scripts

Centre actions:

·         The Exams officer will contact the Awarding Body to notify them of any such difficulties and put in place suitable alternative arrangements

11.   Assessment material is not available to be marked

Criteria for the implementation of the plan

·         Large scale damage to or destruction of completed examination scripts/assessment evidence before it can be marked

Centre actions:

·         The Exams Officer will contact the Awarding Body to notify them of any such incidents and act upon advice given

6

12.   Centre unable to distribute results as normal

Criteria for the implementation of the plan

·         Centre is unable to access or manage the distribution of results to candidates, or to facilitate post-results services

Centre actions:

·         The Exams Officer will contact the Awarding Bodies to notify them of any such incidents and act upon advice given

Further guidance to inform and implement contingency planning

Ofqual

Joint contingency plan in the event of widespread disruption to the examination system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exam-system-contingency-plan-england-wales-and-northern-ireland/joint-contingency-plan-in-the-event-of-widespread-disruption-to-the-examination-system-in-england-wales-and-northern-ireland

JCQ

General regulations:

http://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/general-regulations

Guidance on alternative site arrangements:

http://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/forms

Instructions for conducting examinations

http://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/ice-instructions-for-conducting-examinations

A guide to the special consideration process

http://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/access-arrangements-and-special-consideration/regulations-and-guidance

GOV.UK

Emergencies and severe weather: schools and early years settings

https://www.gov.uk/emergencies-and-severe-weather-schools-and-early-years-settings

Teaching time lost due to severe weather conditions

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teaching-time-lost-due-to-severe-weather-conditions/teaching-time-lost-due-to-severe-weather-conditions

Dispatch of exam scripts guide: Ensuring the service runs smoothly: Contingency planning

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dispatch-of-exam-scripts-yellow-label-service/dispatch-of-exam-scripts-guide

7

Appendix B

Exam Day Contingency Plan

Exam Board Contacts:                                AQA                             -                   0800 197 7162

                                                                    CIE                               -                   01223 553998

                                                                    OCR                             -                   01223 553554

                                                                    Pearson/Edexcel         -                   08444 632535

Appendix C

Reviews of marking - centre assessed marks
(GCSE controlled assessments/NEA’s)

Totnes Independent School (TIS) is committed to ensuring that whenever its staff mark candidates’ work this is done fairly, consistently and in accordance with the awarding body’s specification and subject-specific associated documents.

Candidates’ work will be marked by staff who have appropriate knowledge, understanding and skill, and who have been trained in this activity.  TIS is committed to ensuring that work produced by candidates is authenticated in line with the requirements of the awarding body.  Where a number of subject teachers are involved in marking candidates’ work, internal moderation and standardisation will ensure consistency of marking.


1.        TIS will ensure that candidates are informed of their centre assessed marks so that they may request a review of the centre’s marking before marks are submitted to the awarding body.

2.        TIS will inform candidates that they may request copies of materials to assist them in considering whether to request a review of the centre’s marking of the assessment.

3.        TIS will, having received a request for copies of materials, promptly make them available to the candidate.

4.        TIS will provide candidates with sufficient time in order to allow them to review copies of materials and reach a decision.

5.        TIS Subject Departments will provide clear deadlines for candidates to submit a request for a review of the centre’s marking.  Requests will not be accepted after this deadline. Requests must be made in writing.

6.        TIS will allow sufficient time for the review to be carried out, to make any necessary changes to marks and to inform the candidate of the outcome, all before the awarding body’s deadline.

7.        TIS will ensure that the review of marking is carried out by an assessor who has appropriate competence, has had no previous involvement in the assessment of that candidate and has no personal interest in the review.

8.        TIS will instruct the reviewer to ensure that the candidate’s mark is consistent with the standard set by the centre.

9.        TIS will inform the candidate in writing of the outcome of the review of the centre’s marking.

10.        The outcome of the review of the centre’s marking will be made known to the head of centre.  A written record of the review will be kept and made available to the awarding body upon request.


The moderation process carried out by the awarding bodies may result in a mark change, either upwards or downwards, even after an internal review.  The internal review process is in place to ensure consistency of marking within the centre, whereas moderation by the awarding body ensures that centre marking is in line with national standards.  The mark submitted to the awarding body is subject to change and should therefore be considered provisional.

Appendix D

Use of Word Processing in Examinations

JCQ (The Joint Council for Qualifications) allows exam centres to provide a word processor to candidates with the spelling and grammar check facility disabled.

If a student has a Specific Learning Difficulty or Disability (SpLD) that requires the use of a word processor permission will be given by the SENDCo in consultation with the school’s assessor and subject teaching staff.

If a students does not have an SpLD they can apply to use a laptop in some cases, provided the following apply:

1. The use of a word processor must reflect the candidate’s “normal way of working” within the centre
2. The use of a word processor is not because he/she now wants to type rather than write in examinations, can work faster on a keyboard or because he/she uses a laptop at home
3. The use of a word processor must be for a reason such as:

a. having poor handwriting

b. having planning and organisational problems when writing by hand, eg a student with ASC or ADD

 (this list is not exhaustive)

Signed:

Exams Officer

Appendix C

Reviews of marking - centre assessed marks
(GCSE controlled assessments)

Totnes Independent School (Totnes Independent School) is committed to ensuring that whenever its staff mark candidates’ work this is done fairly, consistently and in accordance with the awarding body’s specification and subject-specific associated documents.

Candidates’ work will be marked by staff who have appropriate knowledge, understanding and skill, and who have been trained in this activity.  Totnes Independent School is committed to ensuring that work produced by candidates is authenticated in line with the requirements of the awarding body.  Where a number of subject teachers are involved in marking candidates’ work, internal moderation and standardisation will ensure consistency of marking.


1.        Totnes Independent School will ensure that candidates are informed of their centre assessed marks so that they may request a review of the centre’s marking before marks are submitted to the awarding body.

2.        Totnes Independent School will inform candidates that they may request copies of materials to assist them in considering whether to request a review of the centre’s marking of the assessment.

3.        Totnes Independent School will, having received a request for copies of materials, promptly make them available to the candidate.

4.        Totnes Independent School will provide candidates with sufficient time in order to allow them to review copies of materials and reach a decision.

5.        Totnes Independent School Subject Departments will provide clear deadlines for candidates to submit a request for a review of the centre’s marking.  Requests will not be accepted after this deadline. Requests must be made in writing.

6.        Totnes Independent School will allow sufficient time for the review to be carried out, to make any necessary changes to marks and to inform the candidate of the outcome, all before the awarding body’s deadline.

7.        Totnes Independent School will ensure that the review of marking is carried out by an assessor who has appropriate competence, has had no previous involvement in the assessment of that candidate and has no personal interest in the review.

8.        Totnes Independent School will instruct the reviewer to ensure that the candidate’s mark is consistent with the standard set by the centre.

9.        Totnes Independent School will inform the candidate in writing of the outcome of the review of the centre’s marking.

10.        The outcome of the review of the centre’s marking will be made known to the head of centre.  A written record of the review will be kept and made available to the awarding body upon request.


The moderation process carried out by the awarding bodies may result in a mark change, either upwards or downwards, even after an internal review.  The internal review process is in place to ensure consistency of marking within the centre, whereas moderation by the awarding body ensures that centre marking is line with national standards.  The mark submitted to the awarding body is subject to change and should therefore be considered provisional.

Appendix D

Use of Word Processing in Examinations

JCQ (The Joint Council for Qualifications) allows exam centres to provide a word processor to candidates with the spelling and grammar check facility disabled.

If a student has a Specific Learning Difficulty or Disability (SpLD) that requires the use of a word processor permission will be given by the SENDCo in consultation with the school’s

assessor and subject teaching staff.

If a students does not have an SpLD they can apply to use a laptop in some cases, provided the following apply:

1. The use of a word processor must reflect the candidate’s “normal way of working” within the centre
2. The use of a word processor is not because he/she now wants to type rather than write in examinations, can work faster on a keyboard or because he/she uses a laptop at home
3. The use of a word processor must be for a reason such as:

a. having poor handwriting

b. having planning and organisational problems when writing by hand, eg a student with ASC or ADD (this list is not exhaustive).

Signed:

Kat Steel

Exams Officer