Learner Policies
Special Consideration Policy
Special consideration is a temporary adjustment to the consideration of assessment evidence or a result after an eligible event has affected a learner’s performance. It is different from a reasonable adjustment, which removes a known or ongoing barrier before assessment.
Website draft — legal and operational review required.
This document is a substantial working draft for ATC. Confirm the bracketed or course-specific details and obtain appropriate legal and operational review before relying on or publishing it as an approved policy.
Effective
Draft for ATC confirmation before publication
Last updated
[Policy date: To be confirmed by ATC before publication]
Review
Review at least annually and sooner if legislation, awarding requirements, services or delivery arrangements change.
Owner
Achievers Training College Ltd (ATC)
Version
0.1 draft
Purpose and scope
Purpose
Provide a fair response when an unexpected, temporary event materially affects a learner during learning or assessment.
Scope
Eligible events such as illness, injury, bereavement, significant disruption, safeguarding incident, technical failure or another unforeseen circumstance.
Responsibilities
ATC
Respond sensitively, assess impact against the applicable rules, preserve assessment integrity and explain the outcome.
Learner
Tell ATC promptly, provide a concise account or supporting information where reasonably requested and follow the agreed plan.
Assessor or awarding organisation
Apply the relevant qualification rules and decide whether an adjustment, extension, reschedule or other remedy is permitted.
How the policy works
Report the event as soon as practicable, ideally before the deadline or assessment, through the tutor or ATC contact route.
ATC will record the event, consider evidence and consult Highfield or the relevant decision maker where required.
Confirm whether the outcome is an extension, reschedule, alternative evidence route, adjustment, no action or referral.
Record the decision securely and explain any review or appeal route without disclosing unnecessary personal information.
Events that may be considered
Examples may include sudden illness, injury, bereavement, serious personal or family circumstances, safeguarding incident, significant disruption, or another unexpected event outside the learner’s reasonable control. The event must have a clear and material effect on the assessment or submission. Routine pressure, poor planning or a pre-existing known need will usually require another support route.
Tell ATC promptly
Contact your tutor or info@achieverstrainingcollege.co.uk as soon as possible, ideally before an assessment or deadline. Give enough information to explain the timing and impact. ATC may ask for proportionate evidence and must protect sensitive information.
Possible outcomes
Depending on the qualification rules, ATC may agree a short extension, rearrange an assessment, allow a further attempt, review evidence already gathered or refer the request to Highfield. Special consideration cannot award competence that has not been demonstrated and cannot override an awarding organisation rule.
Decision and review
ATC will confirm the decision, any revised deadline or next step, and any evidence that remains outstanding. If you believe the decision was based on incorrect information or the process was not followed, use the Appeals Policy. A delay or communication concern can also be raised under the Complaints Policy.