This year, results days will look and feel a bit different. In March, prime minister Boris Johnson announced that all GCSEs and A-level exams would be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and students would receive “teacher-calculated” grades. 

Because vocational and technical qualifications vary widely, the process for awarding qualifications differed across the different courses. 

Qualifications were split into three categories: those used for progression to further or higher education; qualifications that are used to signal occupational competence; and qualifications with a “mixed” purpose. 

• If your qualification is used for progression to further or higher education, you will receive calculated results judged by teachers. 
• If your qualification is used to signal occupational competence, you should have had adjustments to assessment made. 
• If your qualifications have a mixed purpose, awarding bodies will have considered which of the above categories the qualification is most closely aligned with and then either give a calculated result with an adapted assessment potentially being made available where this is not possible, or provide an adapted assessment.

If you are unhappy with your vocational or technical qualification, you can appeal. Because there is a wide range of these qualifications, grounds for appeal may vary. 

What’s the first step?

To begin with, you should speak to your school or college if you think you have a reason to appeal. They will then submit an appeal on your behalf. In some cases, awarding organisations accept appeals directly from learners - and private candidates can appeal directly. Speak to your teachers and they can let you know which route is best. 

Still unhappy?

If you’re unhappy with the outcome, you can complain to Ofqual. 

Ofqual has said in guidance that if you’re worried about bias, discrimination or something else that suggests that your school or college did not behave with care or integrity when determining a centre assessment grade or providing evidence to the awarding organisation, you should normally raise these concerns with your school or college. However, it may also be appropriate to take those concerns directly to the awarding organisation. 

You can check your qualifcation’s awarding organisation website for further details on appeals. 

Will I get another opportunity to take my assessment? 

Many vocational and technical qualifications offer a number of opportunities to be assessed throughout the year, and some awarding organisations are providing extra opportunities. You should speak to your school or college to see if this applies to you.

What if I haven’t received a grade?

If you were expected a grade and you haven’t got one, speak to your school or college. 

Will I have to pay for an appeal?

Some awarding organisations might charge a fee for providing some information - you can find out whether this applies to you by checking the appeals process on their website. 

Ofqual guidance says that awarding organisations must allow reasonable time for learners and centres to decide whether to request an appeal.