Appeal procedure against awarded grade in controlled assessments GCE or GCSE coursework.

Appeals against internally assessed marks
(GCSE controlled assessments and GCE coursework units)

The O'Brien International School is committed to ensuring that whenever its staff mark candidates’ controlled assessment/coursework 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. The O'Brien International 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.

If a candidate believes that this may not have happened in relation to his/her work, he/she may make use of this appeals procedure.

N.B: an appeal may only be made against the assessment process and not against the mark submitted to the awarding body.

1.       Appeals should be made as early as possible, and no later than two weeks before the last timetabled examination in the series (e.g. the last GCSE or GCE written paper in the June examination series).

2.       Appeals must be made in writing by the candidate’s parent/carer to the examinations officer.

3.       The head of centre will appoint a senior member of staff, i.e. an Assistant Headteacher or a Deputy Headteacher, to conduct the investigation.  The senior member of staff will not have had any involvement in the internal assessment process for that subject.

4.       The purpose of the appeal will be to decide whether the process used for internal assessment conformed to the awarding body’s specification and subject-specific associated documents.

5.       The appellant will be informed in writing of the outcome of the appeal, including any relevant correspondence with the awarding body, and any changes made to internal assessment procedures.

6.       The outcome of the appeal will be made known to the Headteacher and will be logged as a complaint.  A written record will be kept and made available to the awarding body upon request.  Should the appeal bring any irregularity in procedures to light, the awarding body will be informed.

7. There is a non-refundable administration fee payable to the centre to begin the process of 75.00 euro. The examination board have advertised fees for appeals to the board. These fees will have to be paid at the time of the appeal.

After candidates’ work has been internally assessed, it is moderated by the awarding body to ensure consistency in marking between centres.  The moderation process may lead to mark changes.  This process is outside the control of The O'Brien International School and is not covered by this procedure.