Academic Appeals and Complaints

This procedure is intended to ensure that any appeals or complaints made to LSP are dealt with quickly, fairly and effectively in line with the ethics and values of LSP. Although the aim is to resolve appeals and complaints promptly such matters can be complex requiring scrutiny of extensive documentation. Therefore a final conclusion can be expected by three months of receiving the written appeal or complaint.

LSP will consider appeals or complaints from individual students or their advocates, groups of students or their representatives relating to plagiarism and other questions with regard to assessment.

Complaints and appeals in academic terms come from two sources:

  1. Accusations of plagiarism.
  2. Disagreements with a Fail at an assessment.

The Penalty for plagiarism might vary from retaking a module to being failed and dismissed from the School- the degree of plagiarism relates to the amount of plagiarised work evidenced in the performance delivered for assessment and not the work seen in the VLE- which is where the use of material can be monitored by tutors and students.

All cases are considered on their individual merits. However, in submitting an appeal the appellant(s) need to consider carefully whether or not they have sufficient grounds and how they can demonstrate this. They should remember that an appeal will be successful if there has been a genuine error or irregularity in the conduct of an assessment and if the case is well-set out with appropriate supporting evidence that can be verified or substantiated.

The Appeals/Complaints procedure may be used for:

  1. Appeal by a student against an internal assessment decision. Appeals on the outcomes of Internal Assessment should be made within 3 days of the final assessment or within three days of receiving the result or after the Module debriefing.
  2. If there existed material circumstances relating directly to the assessment of which Assessors were not aware.
  3. That there is demonstrable evidence of prejudice, bias or inadequate assessment in the examinations process.
  4. That procedural irregularities occurred in the conduct of the assessment, which were of such a nature as to cause reasonable doubt as to whether the assessors would have reached the same conclusion had the irregularities not occurred.
  5. Enquiry or Appeal by a student concerning external assessment results. NB. The external assessor moderates the marking by the internal assessment process.
  • An appeal or complaint will normally be made in writing; preferably by email although, where this presents difficulty, other means of communicating will be accepted such as meetings where a complainant might make use of an advocate.
  • LSP will acknowledge the appeal or complaint within five working days of receipt determining whether the matter falls within the scope of the LSP remit as outlined above. Where the appeal or complaint is not within its scope, the Appeals Panel will write to the complainant giving the reasons why the appeal or complaint cannot be acted upon.
  • Within 15 working days LSP will seek:
    • Relevant information and documentation from both the complainant and any other parties, for example: tutors, internal or second assessors and external examiners.
    • Within 10 working days of receiving the full documentation, LSP will consider whether the evidence presented is sufficient to reach a decision. If it is not, further documentation may be requested from relevant parties, or further clarification from the complainant.
    • Once LSP is satisfied that all relevant documentation is present, a written Statement of Fact will be produced and the complainant will be invited to comment on the factual accuracy of the Statement within 10 working days and may provide additional information.
    • LSP will make a final conclusion within 10 working days and notify the student, tutors or in writing.

    If the appeal is unresolved or if the complainant is dissatisfied with the decision she/he may request that the appeal or complaint be referred to the independent Appeals Officer. The decision of the Appeals Officer is final and will be communicated within 10 working days. The following decisions might be made to require:

    1. the tutors or internal assessors concerned to reconsider their earlier decisions.
    2. the School to re-examine the student
    3. the School to hold an oral exam.
    4. the student to submit a revised performance to the same assessors.
    5. the School to appoint one or more additional assessors to make an independent report on the work of the student.
    6. the School to allow the student to retake the module free of charge.
    7. the student to leave the London School of Puppetry

    Outcomes of an Appeal

    The Committee will review annually the operation of its appeals and complaints policy to check on any implications for development and change necessary for the award of qualifications and to maintain the integrity of the qualification. This review will cover the number and nature of enquiries and appeals submitted and their outcomes. Relevant records and data will be shared with the regulatory authorities on request.

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