Appeals Policy

Company: Tyrogen Limited (16884876)
Owner: Quality Assurance
Approved by: Governing Body (or delegated authority per MD/GOVERNANCE/DELEGATION_OF_AUTHORITY.md)
Status: Draft (controlled policy)
Version: 0.1
Last updated: 2026-03-10
Next review: 2026-03-31

1) Purpose

To provide a fair, transparent, and timely process for learners and centres/providers (and other relevant stakeholders) to appeal results or key decisions made by Tyrogen.

This policy is designed to:

• ensure decisions are reviewed objectively and based on evidence
• ensure independence between original decision makers and appeal reviewers
• provide clear stages, timelines, and record keeping
• support continuous improvement where appeal outcomes indicate systemic issues.

1.1 Ofqual alignment

This policy supports compliance with:

• I1 (appeals process, independence requirements)
• Interfaces to A8 (appeals against malpractice outcomes) and H6/I4 (incorrect results/certificate revocation decisions)

2) Scope

This policy applies to appeals relating to:

• assessment results/grades and awarding decisions
• decisions regarding reasonable adjustments and/or special consideration
• decisions or sanctions arising from malpractice/maladministration cases
• decisions relating to Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) where applicable
• how a complaint has been handled (i.e., process fairness) where the complainant remains dissatisfied after the complaint outcome.

2.1 Who may appeal

Appeals may be submitted by:

• a learner (where permitted)
• the Head of Centre / nominated centre representative on behalf of a learner or cohort
• an employer/provider representative (where applicable)
• any other party directly affected by the decision, where Tyrogen deems it appropriate.

2.2 Relationship to complaints and malpractice

• If the issue relates to dissatisfaction about service rather than an assessment/decision, it may be a complaint (see MD/POLICIES/COMPLAINTS.md).
• If the issue relates to suspected wrongdoing or process failure, it may be a malpractice/maladministration report (see MD/POLICIES/MALPRACTICE_AND_MALADMINISTRATION.md).

If an appeal submission is better handled under another process, Tyrogen will redirect it and inform the appellant.

3) Principles

Tyrogen will manage appeals in a way that is:

• Independent: reviewers/panel members are not the original decision makers
• Evidence-based: decisions are based on documented evidence and applicable rules
• Transparent: outcomes are explained with rationale (subject to confidentiality)
• Timely: clear acknowledgement and response timeframes
• Auditable: records are retained to support internal and external review
• Proportionate: resources and approach reflect risk and severity.

4) Time limits, response times, and fees

4.1 Time limits (submission windows)

• An enquiry/appeal should normally be submitted within 10 working days of the appellant being notified of the decision.
• Requests to escalate to the next stage should normally be submitted within 10 working days of the previous stage outcome.

Tyrogen may extend time limits where there is a clear and justified reason.

4.2 Response times

Tyrogen will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within 2 working days. Tyrogen will normally provide a decision within:

• 10 working days for Enquiry Stage
• 10 working days for Stage 1
• 20 working days for Stage 2.

If more time is required (e.g., complex evidence, multiple learners affected), Tyrogen will explain the reason and provide an updated target date.

4.3 Fees (placeholders)

Tyrogen does not normally charge fees for appeals.

Tyrogen may waive fees for certain appeal types (examples):

• appeals against malpractice/maladministration decisions
• access arrangements / reasonable adjustment decisions
• centre/provider approval decisions
• other procedural-only decisions.

If Tyrogen introduces fees in future, it will update this policy under document control and publish clear fee rules before they apply.

5) Stages of appeal

Tyrogen operates a three-stage appeals process:

1. Enquiry Stage — Clerical/procedural review
2. Stage 1 — Review of decision/marking (where applicable)
3. Stage 2 — Independent appeal panel

Where an appeal outcome may affect other learners/centres (e.g., marking consistency or standardisation), Tyrogen will consider proportionate wider actions (e.g., additional sampling, staff training, process review) and will keep affected parties informed as appropriate.

5.1 Enquiry Stage — Clerical/procedural review

The Enquiry Stage is intended to confirm whether Tyrogen has correctly and fairly applied relevant policies, processes, and procedures to the original decision.

This stage normally:

• checks for administrative or procedural error
• checks whether grade boundaries/decision rules were applied correctly (where relevant)
• does not involve remarking/reassessment unless the underlying assessment method requires it.

If the appellant remains dissatisfied, they may request escalation to Stage 1 within 10 working days.

5.2 Stage 1 — Review of decision/marking

Stage 1 is a review of the original assessment decision and/or marking, conducted by a competent reviewer who:

• was not involved in the original decision
• has appropriate technical/assessment competence
• has completed conflict-of-interest checks.

Where Stage 1 includes reassessment/remarking, the outcome may result in a grade/decision being confirmed, upgraded, or downgraded.

If the appellant remains dissatisfied, they may request escalation to Stage 2 within 10 working days.

5.3 Stage 2 — Independent appeal panel

Stage 2 is a review by an independent appeal panel.

The panel will:

• review the evidence pack and the procedures followed
• consider whether Tyrogen applied its rules consistently and fairly
• request additional information where necessary
• reach a decision which is normally final within Tyrogen’s process.

6) Panel constitution and governance

The Stage 2 panel will:

• include at least one independent member with relevant competence/sector knowledge
• have a Chair responsible for orderly process and decisions
• be quorate at 3 members
• include individuals with appropriate assessment/quality assurance expertise
• complete conflict-of-interest checks (see MD/POLICIES/CONFLICTS_OF_INTEREST.md).

A note taker/secretariat may attend to record proceedings.

7) How to submit an enquiry/appeal

Appeals should be submitted in writing using the appropriate form (or equivalent written submission):

Tyrogen accepts written submissions that include the information listed in section 7.1. Where specific forms exist in the platform, Tyrogen will provide links to those forms.

Submissions can be made via:

• Email: appeals@tyrogen.example
• In‑platform form: Tyrogen Platform (Appeals submission)
• Post (optional): Tyrogen Limited — registered office address (as per Companies House)

7.1 What to include

Please include (where available):

• appellant name, role, and contact details
• learner and/or centre identifiers
• decision being appealed and date notified
• stage requested (enquiry, stage 1, stage 2)
• grounds for appeal and desired outcome
• supporting evidence and correspondence.

8) Records / evidence

Tyrogen will retain an appeals case file including:

• appeal submission and acknowledgement
• evidence pack (materials reviewed, policy references)
• reviewer/panel membership and conflict-of-interest checks
• decision record with rationale
• communications log
• any corrective actions and closure confirmation.

Retention of records will follow MD/POLICIES/DATA_RETENTION.md.

9) Accessibility and support

Where a learner requires accessibility support or reasonable adjustments to participate in the appeals process (e.g., alternative formats, interpreter), Tyrogen will take reasonable steps to assist (see MD/POLICIES/REASONABLE_ADJUSTMENTS.md).

10) Associated policies and documents

• MD/POLICIES/COMPLAINTS.md
• MD/POLICIES/MALPRACTICE_AND_MALADMINISTRATION.md
• MD/POLICIES/REASONABLE_ADJUSTMENTS.md
• MD/POLICIES/SPECIAL_CONSIDERATION.md
• MD/POLICIES/CONFLICTS_OF_INTEREST.md
• MD/POLICIES/DATA_RETENTION.md

11) Change log