The Cambridge Park Academy EXAM POLICY 2018 Contents 1. Exam responsibilities 2. The statutory tests and qualifications offered 3. Exam seasons and timetables 4. Entries, entry details and late entries 5. Exam fees 6. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), special needs and access arrangements 7. Estimated grades 8. Managing invigilators and exam days 9. Candidates, clash candidates and special consideration 10. Access to Fair Assessment 11. Results, enquiries about results (EARs) and access to scripts (ATS) 12. Certificates 13. There is an appeals process which can be down loaded with the appropriate examination board. THIS POLICY CONFORMS TO NATIONAL STANDARDS 1
The purpose of this exam policy is: to ensure the planning and management of exams is conducted efficiently and in the best interest of candidates to ensure the operation of an efficient exam 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. This exam policy will be reviewed every three years. This exam policy will be reviewed by the head of centre and the exams officer. 1. Exam responsibilities Head of centre Overall responsibility for the school as an exam centre: advises on appeals and re-marks the head of centre is responsible for reporting all suspicions or actual incidents of malpractice. Refer to the JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) document Suspected malpractice in examinations and assessments. Exams office manager / exams officer Manages the administration of public and internal exams and analysis of exam results: advises the senior leadership team, subject and class tutors and other relevant support staff on annual exam timetables and application procedures as set by the various exam boards oversees the production and distribution to staff, governors and candidates of an annual calendar for all exams in which candidates will be involved and communicates regularly with staff concerning imminent deadlines and events ensures that candidates and their parents are informed of and understand those aspects of the exam timetable that will affect them consults with teaching staff to ensure that necessary coursework is completed on time and in accordance with JCQ guidelines provides and confirms detailed data on estimated entries receives, checks and stores securely all exam papers and completed scripts administers access arrangements and makes applications for special consideration using the JCQ Access arrangements and special considerations regulations and 2
Guidance relating to candidates who are eligible for adjustments in examinations. identifies and manages exam timetable clashes accounts for income and expenditures relating to all exam costs/charges line manages the senior exam invigilator in organising the recruitment, training and monitoring of a team of exams invigilators responsible for the conduct of exams prepares and presents reports to the SLT showing results achieved in relation to expected grades and comparable data for previous years, indicating where future procedural improvements might be made submits candidates coursework marks, tracks despatch and stores returned coursework and any other material required by the appropriate awarding bodies correctly and on schedule arranges for dissemination of exam results and certificates to candidates and forwards, in consultation with the SLT, any appeals/re-mark requests maintains systems and processes to support the timely entry of candidates for their exams. administration of access arrangements. identification and testing of candidates, requirements for access arrangements. provision of additional support with spelling, reading, mathematics, dyslexia or essential skills, hearing impairment, English for speakers of other languages, IT equipment to help candidates achieve their course aims. Deputy Principal Organisation of teaching and learning. External validation of courses followed at key stage 4 / post-16. Heads of department/school/curriculum Guidance and pastoral oversight of candidates who are unsure about exam entries or amendments to entries. Involvement in post-results procedures. Accurate completion of coursework mark sheets and declaration sheets. Accurate completion of entry and all other mark sheets and adherence to deadlines as set by the exams officer. Guidance and careers information will be distributed as and when required. Teachers Notification of access arrangements (as soon as possible after the start of the course). Submission of candidates names to heads of department/school/curriculum. 3
Lead invigilator/invigilators 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 their return to the exams office. Candidates Confirmation and signing of entries. Understanding coursework regulations and signing a declaration that authenticates the coursework as their own. 2. The statutory tests and qualifications offered The statutory tests and qualifications offered at this centre are decided by the head of centre, heads of subject and the heads of department. The statutory tests and qualifications offered are NCTs, GCSE, Entry Level, BTEC and Units of Accreditation. The subjects offered for these qualifications in any academic year may be found in the centre s published prospectus for that year. If there has been a change of syllabus from the previous year, the exams office must be informed by the October half term of that year. Where teacher assessment, continuous assessment, controlled assessment or coursework form a component of the assessment, the Academy complies with the awarding body s current regulations and guidance. Decisions on whether a candidate should not take an individual subject or all NCTs will be taken in consultation with the candidates, parents/carers, subject teachers and the heads of subject. At key stage 4 and in post-16 settings All candidates will be entitled, and enabled, to achieve an entry for qualifications from an external awarding body. In post-16 settings, students are also entitled and enabled to follow approved courses that are assessed through a portfolio of evidence. In such cases, the Academy fully complies with the procedures and practices of the awarding body, including the fulfilment of all required staff training. 4
3. Exam seasons and timetables 3.1 Exam seasons External exams are scheduled in May/June. All internal exams are held under external exam conditions. Which exam series are used in the centre is decided by the head of centre and each subject manager. 3.2 Timetables Once confirmed, the exams officer will circulate the exam timetables for external exams. 4. Entries, entry details and late entries 4.1 Entries Candidates are selected for their exam entries by the heads of subject and the subject teachers. Candidates, or parents/carers, can request a subject entry, change of level or withdrawal. The centre does accept entries from external candidates. 4.2 Late entries Entry deadlines are circulated to heads of department via email and notice board. Late entries are authorised by the exams officer. 5. Exam fees The centre will pay all normal exam fees on behalf of candidates. Late entry or amendment fees are paid by centre. 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. 5
6. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), special needs and access arrangements 6.1 DDA The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 extends the application of the DDA to general qualifications. All exam centre staff must ensure that the access arrangements and special consideration regulations and guidance are consistent with the law. 6.2 Special needs A candidate s special needs requirements are determined by the educational psychologist / specialist teacher. The Exams Officer will inform subject teachers of candidates with special educational needs who are embarking on a course leading to an exam, and the date of that exam. The Exams Officer can then inform individual staff of any special arrangements that individual candidates can be granted during the course and in the exam. 6.3 Access arrangements Making special arrangements for candidates to take exams is the responsibility of the exams officer. 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 will be organised by the exams officer. Wheelchair access must be available. A quiet room may be needed for ASD learners who find being in a room with a lot of people an uncomfortable experience. 7. Managing invigilators and exam days 7.1 Managing invigilators Internal invigilators will be used for internal exams and external exams. The recruitment of invigilators is the responsibility of the exams office. 6
Securing the necessary DBS clearance for new invigilators is the responsibility of the centre administration. DBS fees for securing such clearance are paid by the centre. Invigilators are timetabled and briefed by the exams office. 7.2 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. Site management is responsible for setting up the allocated rooms. The lead invigilator will start all exams in accordance with JCQ guidelines. Subject staff may be present at the start of the exam to assist with identification of candidates but must not advise on which questions are to be attempted. In practical exams subject teachers may be on hand in case of any technical difficulties. Exam papers must not be read by subject teachers or removed from the exam room before the end of a session. Papers will be distributed to heads of department at the end of the exam session. A relevant subject teacher may be available to read out any subject-specific instructions and start the exam, if required. 8. Candidates, clash candidates and special consideration 8.1 Candidates The centre s published rules on acceptable dress, behaviour and candidates use of mobile phones and all electronic devices apply at all times. Candidates personal belongings remain their own responsibility and the centre accepts no liability for their loss or damage. Disruptive candidates are dealt with in accordance with JCQ guidelines. For exams longer than one hour, candidates will not be allowed to leave the exam room until at least one hour after the published starting time. They will not be allowed to return. 7
The exams officer will attempt to contact any candidate who is not present at the start of an exam and deal with them in accordance with JCQ guidelines. 8.2 Clash candidates The exams officer will be responsible as necessary for supervising escorts, identifying a secure venue and arranging overnight stays. 8
8.3 Special consideration Should a candidate be ill before an exam, suffer bereavement or other trauma, be taken ill during the exam itself or otherwise disadvantaged or disturbed during an exam, then it is the candidate s responsibility to alert the centre, the exams officer, or the exam invigilator, to that effect. The candidate must support any special consideration claim with appropriate evidence within three days of the exam, for example a letter from the candidate s doctor. The exams officer will then forward a completed special consideration form to the relevant awarding body within seven days of the exam. In case of fire, if an exam is in progress, on evacuation the group of candidates must be kept separate from other student groups. They must not discuss the questions. Adequate supervision must be maintained to ensure this (see also Fire, bomb & chemical Alert Policy). 9. Access to Fair Assessment 9.1 Appeals against Coursework grades Candidates who have to prepare coursework should do so by the end of the course. Heads of department will ensure all coursework is ready for despatch at the correct time. The exams officer will keep a record of what has been sent when and to whom. Marks for all internally assessed work and estimated grades are provided to the exams office by the subject teachers and the heads of subject. 9.2 Appeals against grades Students and their Carers are made aware of the existence of this policy and have open access to it. A hard copy will be available from The Exams Officer, and online at www.cambridgepark.co.uk, along with the appeals policies for each of the awarding bodies used by the Academy. All tutors are made aware of these policies and how to access them in order that students can be supported. This policy is reviewed annually and may be amended in response to feedback from students, staff, parents and external organisations. Policy Statement All students at Cambridge Park have the right to make an appeal about any of the marks received for the qualifications they are undertaking. If any student wishes to appeal a decision, they should follow the following procedure. 1. If possible, speak to the member of staff responsible for teaching the qualification in the first instance about the reason they wish to appeal. 9
2. The member of staff has a responsibility to explain to the candidate why he/she received the grade/mark. 3. If the student is not satisfied with the explanation, the piece of work will be re-marked by another member of staff also involved with that qualification. 4. The student will be informed of the outcome of the re-marking by letter. 5. If the student wants to continue the appeal, he/she needs to contact the exams officer, who will provide the student with information about the appeals procedure for the relevant awarding body and explain what is involved. The exams officer will assist with the completion of any forms and will correspond with the awarding body on behalf of the student. 6. Please note: a student must have the support of the centre to be able to appeal against a result. 9.3 Appeals against internal assessments The main points are: Appeals will only be entertained if they apply to the process leading to an assessment. There is no appeal against the mark or grade awarded Candidates may appeal if they feel their coursework has been assessed unfairly, inconsistently or not in accordance with the specification for the qualification Appeals should be made in writing by 30 June to the head of centre (or other nominee) who will decide whether the process used conformed to the necessary requirements The head of centre s findings will be notified in writing, copied to the exams officer and recorded for awarding body inspection. 10. Results, enquiries about results (EARs) and access to scripts (ATS) 10.1 Results Candidates will receive individual results slips on results days either in person at the centre or by post to their home addresses (candidates to provide sae). Arrangements for the school to be open on results days are made by the head of centre. The provision of staff on results days is the responsibility of the head of centre. 10.2 EARs EARs may be requested by centre staff or candidates if there are reasonable grounds for believing there has been an error in marking. If a result is queried, the exams officer, teaching staff and head of centre will investigate 10
the feasibility of asking for a re-mark at the centre s expense. When the centre does not uphold an EAR, a candidate may apply to have an enquiry carried out. If a candidate requires this against the advice of subject staff, they will be charged. 10.3 ATS After the release of results, candidates may ask subject staff to request the return of papers within three days scrutiny of the results. Centre staff may also request scripts for investigation or for teaching purposes. For the latter, the consent of candidates must be obtained. GCSE re-marks cannot be applied for once a script has been returned. (See also section 5: Exam fees) 11. Certificates Certificates are presented in person. Certificates may be collected on behalf of a candidate by a third party, provided they have been authorised to do so. Replacement certificates are only issued if a candidate agrees to pay the costs incurred. 12. Malpractice Malpractice means any act, default or practice which is in breach of the Regulations or which: compromises, attempts to compromise or may compromise the process of assessment, the integrity of any qualification or the validity of a result or certificate; and/or damages the authority, reputation or credibility of any awarding body or centre or any officer, employee or agent of any awarding body or centre. A failure by a centre to investigate allegations of suspected malpractice in accordance with the requirements in the JCQ document, Suspected Malpractice in Examinations and Assessments, also constitutes malpractice. 11
Malpractice may be shown by both Candidates and Centre Staff. Centre Staff are defined as any member of staff or contractor at a centre or an individual appointed in another capacity by a centre as an invigilator, an oral language modifier, a practical assistant, a reader, a Sign Language Interpreter or a scribe to a candidate. A full list of examples of staff and candidate malpractice is given in the JCQ document, Suspected Malpractice in Examinations and Assessments. On the reporting of any incidence of malpractice, the Head of Centre will take responsibility to: report all suspicions or actual incidents of malpractice to the appropriate awarding body, supervise personally all investigations resulting from an allegation of malpractice, respond speedily and openly to all requests for an investigation, co-operate and ensure their staff co-operate fully with an enquiry into an allegation of malpractice, inform staff members and candidates of their individual responsibilities and rights as set out in the guidelines in the JCQ document, Suspected Malpractice in Examinations and Assessments, pass on to the individuals concerned any warnings or notifications of penalties, and ensure compliance with any requests made by the awarding body as a result of a malpractice case. Staff Malpractice Procedure Investigations into allegations will be coordinated by the Head of Centre who will ensure the initial investigation is carried out within ten working days. The person responsible for coordinating the investigation will depend on the qualification being investigated. The investigation will involve establishing the full facts and circumstances of any alleged malpractice. It should not be assumed that because an allegation has been made, it is true. Where appropriate, the staff member concerned and any potential witnesses will be interviewed and their version of events recorded on paper. The member of staff will be: informed in writing of the allegation made against him or her informed what evidence there is to support the allegation informed of the possible consequences, should malpractice be proven given the opportunity to consider their response to the allegations 12
given the opportunity to submit a written statement given the opportunity to seek advice (as necessary) and to provide a supplementary statement (if required) informed of the applicable appeals procedure, should a decision be made against him/her informed of the possibility that information relating to a serious case of malpractice will be shared with the relevant awarding body and may be shared with other awarding bodies, the regulators Ofqual, the police and/or professional bodies including the GTC If work is submitted for moderation/verification or for marking which is not the candidate s own work, the awarding body may not be able to give that candidate a result. Staff Malpractice Sanctions Where a member of staff is found guilty of malpractice, Cambridge Park Academy may impose the following sanctions: 1) Written warning: Issue the member of staff with a written warning stating that if the offence is repeated within a set period of time, further specified sanctions will be applied 2) Training: Require the member of staff, as a condition of future involvement in both internal and external assessments to undertake specific training or mentoring, within a particular period of time, including a review process at the end of the training 3) Special conditions: Impose special conditions on the future involvement in assessments by the member of staff 4) Suspension: Bar the member of staff in all involvement in the administration of assessments for a set period of time 5) Dismissal: Should the degree of malpractice be deemed gross professional misconduct, the member of staff could face dismissal from his/her post Appeals The member of staff may appeal against sanctions imposed on them. Appeals will be conducted in line with the organisations Appeals Policy. Candidate Malpractice If a teacher suspects a candidate of malpractice, the candidate will be informed and the allegations will be explained. The candidate will have the opportunity to give their side of 13
the story before any final decision is made. If the candidate accepts that malpractice has occurred, he/she will be given the opportunity to repeat the assignment. If found guilty of malpractice following an investigation, the teacher may decide to re-mark previous assignments and these could also be rejected if similar concerns are identified. If a teacher suspects a candidate of malpractice during an examination, the candidate will be informed and the allegations will be explained. The candidate will have the opportunity to give their side of the story before any final decision is made. If the candidate is found guilty of malpractice, the Awarding Body will be informed and the candidate s examination paper with be withdrawn. It is unlikely that the candidate will have the opportunity to repeat the examination. Appeals In the event that a malpractice decision is made, which the candidate feels is unfair, the candidate has the right to appeal in line the Appeals Policy. Mark Eames Head of centre Exams officer Policy reviewed March 2016 updated again February 2018 14