Access to Fair Assessment Policy
Access to fair assessment policy
Statement on Assessment
We aim to provide an assessment framework which provides all students with the opportunity
to achieve their full potential by the most appropriate and direct route.
Our assessment policy is based on the concepts of equality, diversity, clarity, consistency and
openness. We will endeavour to ensure that all our assessment processes are fair and
nondiscriminatory.
Access
Learners are made aware of the existence of this policy and have open access to it:
On paper or electronically at www.tdlc.co.uk
All assessors are made aware of the contents and purpose of this policy. This policy is
reviewed annually and may be revised in response to feedback from learners, assessors, and
external organisations.
Policy Statement
What learners Can Expect From Us
Every learner studying with TDLC will be assessed fairly.
This means that:
Assessment will be a test of the learner’s knowledge, what they understand, and
what they are able to do.
For any particular qualification, every learner will be assessed using the same overall set
of exercises and criteria.
Assessments will be standardised across different assessors to ensure that all students have
been judged against the same standards.
Learners can also expect:
A Learning Plan at the beginning of a course
Appropriate assessment opportunities during the course
Learning outcomes, performance criteria and other significant elements of learning
and assessment will be made clear at the outset of a course and when assignments
are given.
All work will be assessed. Constructive and focused feedback, including written and
verbal, will be given by the assessor, to enable the learner to improve their performance.
When work is required to be marked, it will be carried out within 2 weeks of
submission by the learner.
Where a learner’s work does not satisfy the criteria for passing an assessment, in
whole or in part, they will be provided with clear feedback on the basis on which the
assessment was made.
Learners will gain full accreditation for all prior learning on production of the
necessary paperwork
Learners will not be limited to how many times they may take a course.
What we expect from Learners
Learners are expected to meet all deadlines for course work and assignments
Learners are expected to achieve the assessment criteria within the given timescale
All work submitted for assessment purposes must be the learner’s own. Any work
submitted that is not completely their own, will be regarded as cheating.
Submissions must not include any discriminatory or divisive language. Use of such
language will result in failure of the assessment and the possibility of disciplinary
action
Students are expected to inform TDLC of any expected periods of absence
Cheating and Plagiarism
A fair assessment of a learner’s work can only be made if that work is entirely
their own. Therefore, learners can expect to fail their assessments if:
They are found guilty of copying, giving or sharing information or answers, unless
part of a joint project
They use an unauthorised aid during a test or examination
They copy another learners answers during a test or examination
They talk during a test or examination
They give test information to learners who have not yet taken the test
Where an assessor suspects cheating or plagiarism, they must make an assessment as to the
seriousness of the incident. If it is considered to be a minor infringment then the assessor
may:
Deal with the matter and provide help and guidance to the student, or
Issue a warning about future conduct, or
Direct the learner to the Cheating and Plagiarism section of the Fair Assessment
Policy
If the incident is considered to be a major infringement, then the assessor will:
Report the matter to their Manager and arrange a disciplinary hearing
Review the assessment policy with the learner concerned, inform them of the
disciplinary hearing, and also of their right to appeal
Attend the disciplinary hearing with the learner
The Manager will listen to evidence from the learner and the assessor, and will take
into account whether this is an internal or external assessment or examination.
TDLC Assessment policy v2.2016 Apr
For an internal assessment the Manager should:
Refuse to accept the assignment and ask for the work to be redone
Issue a written warning as to future conduct of the learner
Strongly impress on the learner the reasons for having a Fair Assessment Policy
For an external assessment the Manager should:
Refuse to accept the assignment and ask for the work to be redone
Refuse to submit the work for assessment or verification
Inform the External Quality Reviewer
Determine whether or not to withdraw the learner from the qualification
The decision of the Centre Manager will be final, subject to appeal.
Procedure for Appeals by Students
If a learner feels that they have not been assessed or disciplined fairly then they should use
the Appeals & Complaints Procedure to appeal the assessment or disciplinary decision.