Appeals Against Validation Decisions

A Qualification Design Team may lodge an appeal if it feels that the Validation Panel has failed to conduct the validation meeting in an objective way and in accordance with SQA’s validation criteria. Appeals will only be considered if it can be shown that SQA’s validation criteria have been misinterpreted or that the procedures followed were not consistent with those laid down in this guide.

Appeals will be considered on the following grounds:

• lack of objectivity of the panel
• misinterpretation of validation criteria
• deviation from procedures as laid down in the Validation Panel Members’ Guide 

A Qualification Design Team can appeal by writing to the SQA Depute Director: HN/SVQ, within two weeks of the meeting, setting out the grounds for the appeal. Appeals will normally be considered by SQA’s Appeals Sub-Committee within six weeks of receipt of a full submission. However, prior to making the appeal, all parties are encouraged to discuss the matter informally in seeking a solution without recourse to a formal hearing by the SQA’s Appeals Sub-Committee. If there is to be a hearing, the convener of the Validation Panel will be invited to attend.

This mechanism for making an appeal against Validation Panel outcomes is available to centres putting forward HNC and/or HND proposals for validation, and also to Qualification Design Teams led by SQA. This applies to validation of Units as well as awards. Appeals must be submitted by the head of the centre (or his/her representative), or by the Qualifications Manager if SQA is making the appeal. Centres with devolved authority will have their own processes for appeal which should be followed.

For more information on appeals, see the current edition of SQA’s publication:

 The Appeals Process: a handbook for centres  .

 

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