ACCESS TO FAIR ASSESSMENT POLICY 

Introduction 

 

The Curlita Academy is dedicated to offering access to assessment for all learners, free from discrimination of any kind, as detailed in our Equality and Diversity Policy. In some circumstances we understand that some learners may need to request reasonable adjustments for those with particular requirements or make special considerations in light of unforeseen circumstances. 

 

Reasonable adjustments can be requested prior to assessment for learners with particular requirements.  

 

Special consideration is given when unforeseen circumstances prevent the learner from attending or completing their assessment, such as temporary illness, bereavement or disruption to assessment.   

 

In most cases, a request for reasonable adjustments can be handled by the management at The Curlita Academy. In the unlikely event we need assistance from Focus Awards, then we will seek assistance from them.  

 

Reasonable Adjustments

 

If reasonable adjustments are made The Curlita Academy will ensure that the adjustments must:  

 

• Not affect the integrity of the qualification;  

• Reflect the current needs of the individual learner;  

• Not give the learner an unfair advantage over other learners;  

• Ensure that assessment continues to be valid, reliable and comparable against stated assessment criteria.  

 

Guidance for Learners  

 

The following reasonable adjustments are acceptable and can be permitted by The Curlita Academy (this list is not exhaustive – please contact us if you require more information).

 

Learners with visual impairments:  

 

• Large print or Braille course material and assessment papers

• Coloured paper or overlays;  

• Audio assessment; 

• Extra time allocated for training and assessment.  

 

Learners with a hearing impairment:  

 

• Use of hearing aids/hearing induction loops;  

• Interpreter/signer (it may be cost prohibitive for the customer to pay for an interpreter/signer, although the learner may have access to funding);  

• Extra time allocated for training and assessment.

 

Learners with reading, writing or learning difficulties:  

 

• Support assistance; 

• Reader and/or scribe; 

• Audio assessment; 

• Extra time allocated for training and assessment.  

 

Please note: Learners requesting reasonable adjustments must provide The Curlita Academy with evidence of their medical condition or learning needs. 

 

Special Considerations 

 

Special consideration is given to events or circumstances, beyond the learner’s control, that lead to a learner being unable to complete their course or attend/complete their assessment. Examples of events that attract special consideration would be:  

 

• Temporary illness; 

• Injury;

• Bereavement;

• Fire or similar emergency during the assessment; 

• Building work/loud noise at the venue during an assessment; 

• Failure of equipment during the assessment; 

• Failure of The Curlita Academy to implement requested reasonable adjustments, or the reasonable adjustments put in place prove to be unworkable or incorrect. 

 

In most circumstances relating to noise disturbance or evacuation of a building, alternative rooms or premises may be arranged and the assessment can continue with extra time allowed for the disruption. 

 

If it is not possible for learner(s) to complete their course or attend/complete their assessment, new dates will be agreed with the learner(s) to do this. The special consideration arrangements should allow the learner(s) to demonstrate the achievement they are capable of for the unit(s) in question.  

 

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the arrangements for new training and/or assessment dates, the learner must meet the minimum requirements for the unit, qualification or award.             

 

Recording Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations 

 

In all cases where a reasonable adjustment or special consideration has been made, The Curlita Academy will record this with the appropriate awarding body for which the qualification relates to.  

 

This records the reason for the reasonable adjustment or special consideration, the details of the learner(s) and qualification affected and the action taken by The Curlita Academy.   

 

Internal Quality Assurers (IQA’s) 

 

The Curlita Academy IQA’s will monitor requests for reasonable adjustments and special considerations as part of their verification sampling. In particular, they will be required to check that the assessment met the required standards and that the learner(s) were not advantaged or disadvantaged by the adjustment or event. 

 

Feedback and Monitoring  

 

All learners will be provided with a learner survey covering training and assessment. This will provide a route for learners to feedback directly to The Curlita Academy should they so choose. All information supplied will be monitored by The Curlita Academy and acted upon where necessary.  

 

Accurate records of all reasonable adjustments and special considerations will be held by The Curlita Academy and made available to Focus Awards and/or the regulatory authorities on request.

Reasonable Adjustments

If reasonable adjustments are implemented, The Curlita Academy will ensure that these adjustments must:

• Not compromise the integrity of the qualification.

• Align with the current needs of the individual learner.

• Not provide an unfair advantage over other learners.

• Ensure that assessment remains valid, reliable, and comparable against stated assessment criteria.

​

Guidance for Learners

​

The following reasonable adjustments are acceptable and can be permitted by The Curlita Academy. This list is not exhaustive; learners are encouraged to contact us for more information.

​

Learners with visual impairments:

• Large print or Braille course materials and assessment papers.

• Coloured paper or overlays.

• Audio assessment.

• Extra time allocated for training and assessment.

​

Learners with a hearing impairment:

• Use of hearing aids/hearing induction loops.

• Interpreter/signer (subject to funding availability).

• Extra time allocated for training and assessment.

​

Learners with reading, writing, or learning difficulties:

• Support assistance.

• Reader and/or scribe.

• Audio assessment.

• Extra time allocated for training and assessment.

Please note: Learners requesting reasonable adjustments must provide The Curlita Academy with evidence of their medical condition or learning needs.

Special Considerations

Special consideration is given to events or circumstances beyond the learner’s control that hinder course completion or assessment attendance. Examples include:

• Temporary illness.

• Injury.

• Bereavement.

• Emergency situations like fire during assessment.

• Disruption due to building work or loud noise.

• Equipment failure during assessment.

• Failure of The Curlita Academy to implement requested reasonable adjustments.

In cases of noise disturbance or building evacuation, alternative arrangements may be made, and assessment can continue with additional time allowed for disruption.

If learners cannot complete their course or attend/complete their assessment, new dates will be agreed upon, ensuring the learner(s) can demonstrate their capabilities for the unit(s) in question. Regardless of the circumstances, learners must meet minimum requirements for the unit, qualification, or award.

Recording Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations

In all cases of reasonable adjustments or reasonable adjustments The Curlita Academy will record the details with the appropriate awarding body relevant to the qualification.

This record includes the reason for the reasonable adjustment or special consideration, learner details, affected qualification, and the actions taken by The Curlita Academy.

 

Internal Quality Assurers (IQA’s)

The Curlita Academy IQA’s will monitor requests for reasonable adjustments and special considerations as part of their verification sampling. Their responsibilities include ensuring that assessments meet required standards and that learners are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged by the adjustment or event.

 

Feedback and Monitoring

All learners will receive a survey covering training and assessment, offering a direct feedback route to The Curlita Academy. Information gathered will be monitored and acted upon as necessary. The Curlita Academy maintains accurate records of all reasonable adjustments and special considerations, which are available to Focus Awards and/or regulatory authorities upon request.

This policy underscores The Curlita Academy's commitment to fair assessment practices, promoting an inclusive learning environment and supporting learners in diverse circumstances. By adhering to this policy, The Curlita Academy aims to continuously enhance the quality and accessibility of its assessment procedures.