Assessment and Internal Verification Policy

Riseladder[05/01/2025]
Review Date: [05/01/2026]

Policy Statement

This policy sets out Riseladder School’s commitment to delivering robust, fair, and reliable assessment practices across all BTEC programmes at Levels 4, 5, and 7, in line with Pearson’s quality assurance principles. It also defines the procedures for internal verification to uphold the validity and integrity of the assessment process.

We aim to ensure that all learners have equal opportunity to achieve assessment standards and that grading decisions are consistent, transparent, and compliant with Pearson’s regulatory framework.

Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All assessors, internal verifiers, and programme leaders involved in BTEC qualification delivery
  • All learners registered on Pearson qualifications
  • All programme areas under RQF qualifications at Riseladder School

3. Assessment Strategy and Methods

Assessment is designed to meet the principles of assessment as defined by Pearson—validity, reliability, authenticity, sufficiency, and currency.

We employ a range of appropriate vocational assessment methods, such as:

  • Research projects and reports
  • Case studies and problem-solving tasks
  • Presentations and reflective journals
  • Group work with individual contribution tracking
  • Work-based evidence (where applicable)

Assignment briefs are quality assured prior to use, clearly mapping learning outcomes to tasks and aligning with the unit grading criteria.

Assessments will:

  • Reflect real-world scenarios where possible (synoptic approach encouraged)
  • Be free from bias or disadvantage
  • Provide timely, developmental feedback that supports learner progression
  • Uphold academic integrity and discourage malpractice

4. Assessment Roles and Responsibilities

Assessors will:

  • Design and issue Pearson-compliant assignment briefs
  • Ensure assessment decisions are evidence-based, criterion-referenced, and recorded clearly
  • Deliver written feedback that is constructive, developmental, and aligned to criteria
  • Maintain secure, dated records of all assessments submitted and graded

Attend regular standardisation activities to promote consistency

Internal Verifiers (IVs) will:

  • Verify assignment briefs prior to use (pre-delivery checks)
  • Conduct verification sampling of assessed work across all grade boundaries
  • Identify assessment anomalies and ensure remedial action is implemented
  • Maintain sampling logs, feedback forms, and standardisation records
  • Mentor new assessors and promote a continuous quality culture

Quality Nominee (QN) will:

  • Oversee all assessment and internal verification processes
  • Act as the centre liaison for Pearson and ensure timely communication with the Standards Verifier
  • Maintain the Centre Quality Assurance File (QAF)
  • Lead training and CPD activities for all academic staff
  • Ensure centre-wide adherence to Pearson’s policies, Centre Guide to Assessment, and EQA action points

5. Internal Verification Procedures

Riseladder applies a structured internal verification (IV) model:

  • Assignment Brief Verification: Conducted prior to issue to ensure clarity, alignment, and fairness
  • Assessed Work Sampling: Minimum of 20% of assessed work will be verified, ensuring samples across:
  • All assessors
  • All units delivered
  • All grades (Pass, Merit, Distinction)
    • Standardisation Meetings: Held at the start of each term, after verification rounds, and as needed to address discrepancies
    • Record Keeping: All IV documentation is stored securely for review and EQA inspection, including sampling plans, feedback forms, action plans, and meeting minutes

6. Assessment Appeals Procedure

We maintain a transparent and structured appeals procedure that allows learners to challenge assessment decisions:

Stage 1: Informal Resolution

  • Learner discusses the concern with the assessor within 5 working days of receiving feedback.

Stage 2: Formal Appeal

  • If unresolved, the learner submits a written appeal to the IV. An independent assessor reviews the decision and a written outcome is issued within 10 working days.

Stage 3: Review Panel

A formal appeals panel (comprising the Quality Nominee, a senior IV, and an independent member) will make a final internal decision.

Stage 4: Pearson Referral

  • If still unresolved, the learner may escalate the issue to Pearson through the official Enquiries and Appeals procedure.

All appeals are documented, with decisions and outcomes communicated in writing and included in the quality file.

7. Academic Malpractice and Plagiarism

We have zero tolerance for plagiarism, collusion, or other forms of academic misconduct. All suspected cases will be investigated using a formal Malpractice Policy. Sanctions may include re-assessment, unit failure, or removal from the programme, depending on severity.

8. Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Academic Board and Quality Nominee to reflect updates to Pearson’s regulations, QAA guidance, and centre-wide practice. Any identified issues during internal or external verification will trigger an immediate review of relevant processes.

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