Access to Fair Assessment Policy

SV Academy Access to Fair Assessment Policy

Access to Fair Assessment Policy

Statement of Intent

SV Academy is committed to ensuring that all learners have fair and equitable access to assessment and qualification opportunities. We recognise the diverse needs of our learners and will take all reasonable steps to remove barriers that may prevent individuals from demonstrating their knowledge, skills, and understanding.

Assessment practices at SV Academy will be open, transparent, valid, reliable, and conducted in accordance with the requirements of relevant awarding organisations, examination boards, and regulatory bodies.

This policy supports our commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding and ensures that assessment arrangements are fair to all learners regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic.

This policy is available to all learners, parents/carers, staff, and stakeholders through the Academy website, student portal, and upon request.

All teaching, assessment, and quality assurance staff are required to understand and implement this policy.
 This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if required by changes in legislation, awarding body requirements, or Academy procedures.

Principles of Fair Assessment

SV Academy is committed to ensuring that assessment is:

Reliable

Assessment decisions are consistent, accurate, and based on sufficient evidence over time.

Valid

Assessment methods measure the knowledge, skills, and understanding required by the qualification or programme of study.

Fit for Purpose

Assessment methods are practical, appropriate, and aligned with awarding body requirements and learner needs.

Current

Assessment evidence demonstrates current competence and achievement.

Transparent

Learners understand what is being assessed, how it will be assessed, and the standards against which their work will be judged.

Authentic

Assessment evidence must represent the learner’s own work and achievements.

Inclusive

Assessment arrangements will be designed to enable all learners to demonstrate achievement wherever possible without compromising qualification standards.

Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments

SV Academy will work to identify learners who may require reasonable adjustments or access arrangements due to:

• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• Learning difficulties
• Medical conditions
• Mental health needs
• Temporary injuries or illnesses
• English as an Additional Language (where permitted by awarding bodies)

Reasonable adjustments may include:

• Additional time
• Rest breaks
• Reader or scribe support
• Use of assistive technology
• Modified assessment materials
• Alternative assessment locations
• Other approved arrangements permitted by awarding organisations

All adjustments will be made in accordance with awarding body regulations and must not compromise the integrity or validity of the assessment.

What Learners Can Expect From Us

Learners can expect:

• A clear induction to their programme of study.
• Information about assessment requirements and qualification standards.
• Assessment criteria and learning outcomes explained at the start of units or assignments.
• Fair and impartial assessment decisions.
• Regular opportunities to demonstrate achievement.
• Constructive feedback to support progress and development.
• Timely marking and return of assessed work, normally within two weeks of submission.
• Internal quality assurance processes to ensure consistency of assessment decisions.
• Access to support and guidance where difficulties are identified.
• Appropriate arrangements for learners with additional needs.
• Equal treatment regardless of background or personal circumstances.

Internal Quality Assurance

SV Academy operates robust internal quality assurance procedures to ensure assessment decisions are:

• Accurate
• Consistent
• Fair
• Standardised across assessors

These procedures may include:

• Internal verification
• Standardisation meetings
• Assessment sampling
• Staff training and development
• External quality assurance visits from awarding organisations

Academic Integrity, Malpractice and Plagiarism

Learners are expected to maintain high standards of academic honesty and integrity.
 Examples of malpractice include:

• Copying another learner’s work
• Allowing another learner to copy work
• Submitting work produced by another person
• Using unauthorised materials during assessments
• Collusion or unauthorised collaboration
• Falsifying evidence
• Impersonation
• Breaching examination regulations

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Learners may only use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools where explicitly permitted by the awarding organisation and the Academy.
 Where AI tools are permitted:

• Their use must be acknowledged appropriately.
• Learners remain responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of submitted work.
• AI-generated content must not be presented as entirely the learner’s own work.
• Any use of AI must comply with awarding body regulations and SV Academy’s AI Policy.

Failure to comply may result in malpractice procedures being initiated.
 All allegations of malpractice, plagiarism, or misuse of AI will be investigated in accordance with awarding body regulations and Academy procedures.

Appeals Against Assessment Decisions

SV Academy aims to resolve concerns informally wherever possible.

Stage 1 – Informal Discussion

The learner should discuss the assessment decision with the assessor or teacher responsible for the assessment.

Stage 2 – Internal Review

If the matter remains unresolved, the learner may request a review by the Internal Quality Assurer (IQA), Internal Verifier, or Head of Learning.

Stage 3 – Formal Appeal

If the learner remains dissatisfied following the internal review, they may submit a formal appeal through the Academy Complaints and Appeals Procedure.

Where qualifications are involved, learners will also be informed of any awarding organisation appeals processes available to them.
 No learner will suffer disadvantage as a result of making a genuine appeal.

Equality and Diversity

SV Academy is committed to ensuring that assessment practices promote equality of opportunity and do not discriminate against any learner.

Assessment materials, methods, and decisions will be reviewed regularly to ensure they remain fair, inclusive, and accessible.

Responsibilities

Learners

Learners are responsible for:

• Completing and submitting their own work.
• Meeting assessment deadlines.
• Following assessment regulations.
• Declaring any support needs as early as possible.
• Maintaining academic integrity.

Staff

Staff are responsible for:

• Conducting fair and accurate assessments.
• Providing clear assessment guidance.
• Maintaining assessment records.
• Following awarding body regulations.
• Identifying learners who may require support or reasonable adjustments.
• Participating in standardisation and quality assurance activities.

Senior Leadership Team

The Senior Leadership Team is responsible for:

• Monitoring compliance with this policy.
• Ensuring staff receive appropriate training.
• Supporting quality assurance processes.
• Reviewing and updating this policy.

Monitoring and Review

The effectiveness of this policy will be monitored through:

• Internal quality assurance activities
• Learner feedback
• External quality assurance reports
• Awarding organisation guidance
• Complaints and appeals data

The policy will be reviewed annually or sooner where required.

 Policy Owner: Head of Learning
 Approved By: Executive Headteacher
 Date Approved: June 2026
 Review Date: June 2027
 Version: 2.0