Introduction and Scope
This policy applies to all candidates who are undertaking or have completed an STA qualification and sets out Samara Bruce procedures and approach to submitting and considering appeals, to ensure that all outcomes are fair, consistent, and reliable.
All candidates have the right to enquire about, question or appeal against an assessment decision.
Appeals may be made in relation to:
- The results of assessments
- Decisions regarding Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations
- Decisions relating to any action to be taken against a learner or an ATC/P after an investigation into malpractice or maladministration
- Where evidence suggests we did not apply procedures consistently, or that procedures were not followed properly and fairly
Principles of making an Appeal
If a candidate is unhappy about the assessment decision awarded to them, they must first go through our appeals process prior to contacting RLSS UK Qualifications. As part of our agreement with STA, we must operate an appeal process for learners.
How to Appeal
Appeals should be made in writing via email to Samara Bruce samarax@hotmail.co.uk within 5 working days of the assessment date.
The appeal must detail:
- Candidates name and contact details
- Venue name
- Trainer’s name
- Assessor’s name if applicable
- Course reference number
- Names of others involved
- Details around the grounds for appeal
- Copies of any supporting evidence
If the appeal is excessively long or complex, we may ask you to provide a summary so that we are clear what the issues are.
What will happen to my Appeal?
Where possible, we will undertake an initial, informal assessment of all potential appeals, to ensure the application is complete and to ascertain if the issue can be resolved before it goes to a formal appeal. We may do so over the telephone or via email. In all instance, we will ensure that the person carrying out this initial check does not have a personal interest in the decision being appealed. All actions will be confirmed via email.
Sometimes a more formal approach is required and in these cases your appeal must be put in writing via email directly to Samara Bruce samarax@hotmail.co.uk
If the appeal cannot be put in writing, a member of our team will relay any verbal conversation via email, to ensure the details around the appeal have been understood.
All appeals will be acknowledged within 5 working days, investigated, and a response provided within 10 working days. If the process is likely to take longer, we will contact all parties concerned to inform them of the likely revised timescale.
We will endeavour to complete any appeals investigation within 10 working days of the receipt of the initial written appeal. To ensure a fair and thorough investigation, the duration may depend on the nature and severity of the appeal received, and the investigating team member will notify the appellant as soon as possible, if the investigation will take longer than expected.
If your appeal is not upheld, we will explain why.
If we feel your appeal is successful, we will forward all relevant information/ evidence to STA for review.
Contacting STA
If you are not happy with the way your appeal has been handled or the outcome of our investigation, you can refer your grievance to the STA. In such cases, this must be done within 10 working days of receipt of our decision.
Email: info@sta.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1922 645097 (08:00 – 16:00 Mon – Fri)
Address: The Swimming Teachers’ Association Anchor House, Birch St, Walsall WS2 8HZ, UK