The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for all candidates a medium to assess reasonable adjustment due to a disadvantage, or advantage, over other candidates.

 

A reasonable adjustment is any action that helps to reduce the effect of a disability or difficulty that places the candidate at a substantial disadvantage in the assessment situation. Reasonable adjustments are approved by WSET Awards and put in place before the assessment activity takes place; they constitute an arrangement to give the candidate access to the qualification. The use of a reasonable adjustment is not taken into consideration during the assessment of a candidate’s work.

 

Reasonable Adjustment Defined

 

Reasonable adjustments may involve:

 

• Changing standard assessment arrangements, for example allowing candidates extra time to complete the assessment activity.

• Adapting assessment materials, such as providing materials in large text format.

• Providing access facilitators during assessment, such as a sign language interpreter or reader.

• Re-organising the assessment room, such as removal of visual stimuli for an autistic candidate.

 

Please email info@southcoastwineacademy.com.au for any questions, concerns, or issues in relation to Reasonable Adjustments.

 

 

Reasonable Adjustment Notification / Identification / Requests

 

South Coast Wine Academy will:

 

• Identify any special assessment needs at the time of candidate registration.

• Inform WSET® Awards at the earliest opportunity so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

• Agree the specific arrangements for the examination, or for marking with WSET® Awards, which will vary according to individual circumstances.

 

Reasonable adjustments are approved or set in place before the assessment activity takes place; they constitute an arrangement to give the candidate access to the qualification. The use of reasonable adjustment will not be taken into consideration during the assessment of a candidate’s work. Out of fairness to all candidates, evidence of the individual circumstances giving rise to the request must be produced.

 

South Coast Wine Academy must identify at the time of candidate enrolment any special needs, which may require a reasonable adjustment at the time of the examination. APPs must submit a Reasonable Adjustment Application Form to the Assessments Manager at least four weeks before the examination date in the case of WSET qualifications at Levels 1-3 – supporting evidence must be included.

 

The specific arrangements for the examination process itself, or for marking, will be agreed in each case between South Coast Wine Academy and the Assessments Manager, WSET Awards, and will vary according to individual circumstances. WSET Awards reserves the right to seek the advice of independent agencies as appropriate in coming to a decision on specific arrangements.

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Building Accessibility

 

South Coast Wine Academy will ensure mobility needs throughout its various premises are adequate for all candidates.  If you have mobility needs, in the event of an emergency, you must inform your tutor, who will advise you of evacuation arrangements.

 

Special Consideration

 

Special Consideration is any adjustment given to a student who has temporarily experienced an illness or injury, or other event outside of their control at the time of the exam that significantly affects their ability to take the exam or their ability to show their knowledge and understanding in the exam.

 

Special consideration will not give unfair advantage over candidates for whom special consideration is not being applied, or alter the assessment demands of the qualification as detailed in the applicable Specification.

 

A candidate may be eligible for special consideration if:

 

• Their performance in the exam is adversely affected by an event outside of their control. This may

include temporary illness, temporary injury, bereavement, or exam room conditions;

• Reasonable adjustments which were agreed in advance of the exam proved inappropriate or

inadequate;

• The application of special consideration would not mislead the user of the certificate as to the

candidate’s ability to satisfy the qualification’s assessment criteria.

 

Applying for Special Consideration

 

Special Consideration is only for things that happen immediately before or during an exam that has a material

impact on the student’s ability to take the exam, or on their performance. To be eligible for special

consideration, candidates must have covered the whole course and would have been fully prepared if not

for the temporary illness, injury, or other uncontrollable event.

 

South Coast Wine Academy must submit a Special Consideration Application Form to WSET on behalf of the candidate.  Candidates must submit a written request to South Coast Wine Academy within 4 working days of the assessment date for which special consideration is being sought.

 

Candidates should submit a Special Consideration request by email to South Coast Wine Academy at info@southcoastwineacademy.com.au.

 

Eligibility will only be considered if accompanied by supporting independent documentation.