Ofqual has confirmed the statutory guidance for awarding organisations (AOs) in relation to appeals in summer 2021.  

Following earlier consultation, the guidance confirms the regulatory arrangements that AOs must comply with for reviews and appeals this summer for general qualifications.  The regulations are also relevant for those vocational and technical qualifications (‘category B’ VTQs) which will have a review and appeals process similar to that available for general qualifications.

In conjunction with the consultation outcomes, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has published a detailed guide to the summer 2021 appeals process for heads of centres, senior leaders and teaching staff within schools and colleges.  This includes guidance on the two-stage process, who can appeal, the reasons for allowing students to appeal their grade where they believe there has been an error, and the deadlines.  

The JCQ guide covers GCSEs, A/AS Levels, FSMQ, Core Maths, Entry Level, EPQ and OCR's Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals. Endorsements (for GCSE English Language, and A Level Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Geology) are also subject to the same appeals guidance.  A summary of the guide is available on the OCR website.