THE PROBLEMSOLVING LAWYERS
Our service will assess the available evidence and the school’s processes to determine whether there has been any administrative error or failure to follow its procedure. We will use information rights to gather personal data and other information. Where errors or failures are found, we will draft a request for a Review.
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THE SERVICE
The Government decided that GCSE, AS and A level exams and assessments could not be held fairly in Summer 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Instead, teachers have submitted grades to exam boards based on their assessment of what students have shown that they know and can do. If a student is concerned that their grade is wrong, there is a review and appeal process.
New research by the Department for Education shows the link between GCSE attainment and earnings over a person's lifetime. Those who perform just one GCSE grade better than their counterparts across nine subjects have been shown to earn an average of £207,000 more throughout their lives. Those who achieved just one grade higher than their counterparts in one subject saw an increase in their lifetime earnings by an average of £23,000.
Our service will assess the available evidence and the school’s processes to determine whether there has been any administrative error or failure to follow its procedure. We will use information rights to gather personal data and other information. Where errors or failures are found, we will draft a request for a Review.
If the Review is unsuccessful, we will also assess whether the school used reasonable judgement when deciding the evidence used to determine the grade and/or reasonable judgement to determine the grade. We will draft an Appeal based on any identified issues and any failures or errors.
The reviews and appeals process is a one-chance only to correct inaccurate grades.
The process requires an understanding of the Teacher Assessed Grade process and available grounds.
The process is time critical.
WHY USE CLAIMSMITHS?
“As a parent of a 16 year old, I understand first hand the struggles and worries that teenagers and parents face as a result of the pandemic and the introduction of teacher assessed grades.
Our team has the experience and expertise to support students and parents in their efforts to obtain fair results.”
Mark Gleeson - Partner
FAQ
Any student can submit a request for a review on the grounds that a centre has failed to follow its procedures properly or consistently in arriving at a TAG or made an administrative error in relation to a TAG. It is recommended that requests for centre reviews are made by 16 August 2021 (for priority appeals) and 3 September 2021 (for all other cases).
Any student who considers that there has been a procedural error, an administrative error or that a grade reflects an unreasonable exercise of academic judgement may submit a request for an awarding organisation appeal. An appeal can only be made against an issued result. Requests for an appeal must be made to the centre which submitted the TAG and must be received by the awarding organisation by 23 August 2021 (for priority appeals) and 17 September 2021 (for non-priority appeals).
It is important to know that TAGs can go up, down or stay the same.
No. This year every student is able to instruct the centre which determined the TAG to conduct a review and to submit an appeal to the awarding organisation. A refusal to submit an appeal for a student could be treated as malpractice.
The Government has said that in most cases subject teachers won’t be needed for reviews during the summer holidays. However, schools are being given £75 for each priority appeal, which they can use to compensate staff involved in processing those appeals.
Students only have one opportunity to pursue a review/appeal a teacher assessed grade (TAG) and the timeframes are very tight. Claimsmiths has a dedicated team to make reviews and appeal requests on behalf of students.
We have a nationally recognised expert in information law who will advise on how students (and parents) can use their rights under data protection and freedom of information law to maximise the chances of identifying grounds for review and appeal.
Our team includes experienced litigators who will review the evidence, identify and draft the most effective grounds for review/appeal.
We recognise that students’ education has suffered as a result of the pandemic. Making an review/appeal may be a stressful or emotional experience. We can reduce some of the stress and emotion by requesting the review/appeal on behalf of students.
No, we cannot guarantee that your TAG will improve after a review or appeal. Grades can go up, down or stay the same.
No, we do not offer the service on a no-win no-fee basis.
We put the same amount of effort and expertise into every appeal regardless of the outcome, therefore the price for the service is not contingent upon the result
No, we only offer the service in England & Wales.
A student can withdraw a request for a review so long as no finding has been made. A review application cannot be withdrawn once a finding has been made. Our fee will still be charged in the event of a withdrawal of review/appeal.
CHECK ELIGIBILITY?
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
I'M SORRY YOU'RE NOT ELIGIBLE
I'M SORRY YOU'RE NOT ELIGIBLE
I'M SORRY YOU'RE NOT ELIGIBLE
Claimsmiths is a trading name of Brandsmiths S.L. Limited which is authorised by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority, SRA No: 620298. Founding Partner: Adam Morallee
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