1.0 Introduction
This policy applies to students for whom the standard arrangements for learning materials, the delivery of, and response to, the assessment may adversely affect their ability to demonstrate their true performance level.
2.0 Requesting Reasonable Adjustments
2.1. The ifs School of Finance recognises two major categories of special educational need which may lead to the provision of reasonable adjustments:
2.1.1. permanent or long-standing disability, illness or special educational need, eg blindness, diabetes, dyslexia;
2.1.2. temporary disability, illness or indisposition, eg broken arm, chronic pain.
2.2. For requests based upon permanent or long-standing disability, illness or special educational needs, the student should advise the ifs School of Finance of his/her request when applying for the relevant award.
2.3. For requests based upon temporary disability, illness or indisposition, the student should advise the ifs School of Finance of his/her request at the earliest possible opportunity.
2.4. A written request should be submitted to the ifs School of Finance PHE Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Office using the reasonable adjustment form, together with supporting evidence.
2.5. Each request must be:
2.5.1. supported by appropriate independent evidence from a medical professional, educational psychologist or other recognised educational expert supplied to the ifs School of Finance by or on behalf of the student;
2.5.2. made to the ifs School of Finance at least four weeks prior to the date when the adjustment will need to be in place.
2.6. The ifs School of Finance is not responsible for obtaining evidence to support a request for reasonable adjustments, but will provide advice on its requirements and the consequent suitability of any evidence.
2.7. The ifs School of Finance reserves the right not to put in place reasonable adjustments if appropriate evidence is not provided by the student.
2.8. The ifs School of Finance will
2.8.1. only implement a reasonable adjustment that maintains the reliability and integrity of an assessment; and
2.8.2. not implement any reasonable adjustment that invalidates the assessment requirements for an award.
2.9. In cases where reasonable adjustments are implemented in response to a specific student request under this policy, the ifs School of Finance will not normally consider further compensation for the identified disadvantage.
2.10. Reasonable adjustments are normally approved in advance of the assessment taking place. Where an adjustment cannot be implemented because of late notification the circumstances will be reported to the Module and/or Programme Assessment Board when the student’s assessment results and/or award are considered.
2.11. Any information supplied by the student in respect of a claim for reasonable adjustments will be treated as confidential and will only be supplied to staff on a need to know basis.
2.12. If, at any time, the ifs School of Finance finds that a reasonable adjustment claim was fraudulent, the ifs School of Finance reserves the right to withdraw any award made as a result of assessments undertaken with reasonable adjustment.
3.0 Processing of requests
3.1. Given the individual nature of reasonable adjustments, students are recommended to contact the PHE Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Office by phone on +44 (0)1227 829499 or email enquiries@ifslearning.ac.uk for an informal discussion before they submit a request. This will allow both the student and the ifs School of Finance to fully understand the nature of the request and advise upon the type of supporting evidence required.
3.2. Each request will be acknowledged within five working days. Subsequently, and normally within a further ten working days, the PHE Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Office will contact the student to discuss a personal learning plan.
3.3. If the PHE Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Office is unable to immediately identify the adjustment(s) and agree the personal learning plan, they will advise the student in writing of the timescale for resolving the matter and will ensure that the student is kept fully informed of progress.
4.0 Approval of requests
4.1. The PHE Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Office will confirm the personal learning plan in writing.
4.2. Having approved a request, the ifs School of Finance will do its best to implement its reasonable adjustment policy in a consistent manner by implementing similar solutions for similar requests.
4.3. Staff who will be advised by the PHE Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Office of the details of an adjustment are:
4.3.1. the Teaching Support Office who will advise the Associate Lecturer allocated to support the student for each module;
4.3.2. the Assessment and Conferment Office who will make arrangements for adjustments related to assessments; and where appropriate:
4.3.3. the Publishing Manager and the Learning Materials Support Officer;
4.3.4. the assessment invigilator.
5.0 Changes to Personal Learning Plan
5.1. Should a student’s circumstances subsequently change or (s)he wish to request an adjustment to the learning plan, they should contact the PHE Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Office to discuss the matter.
5.2. Minor changes to the learning plan may be implemented without further evidence but for major changes the student will be required to provide additional evidence to support their request.
5.3. In the first instance, students are advised to contact the PHE Admissions, Academic Management and Student Services Office.
6.0 Appeals
Should a student be unhappy with the result of a request for reasonable adjustment they may appeal the outcome in accordance with ifs School of Finance Code of Practice Chapter 10: Student Complaints and Academic Appeals.
7.0 Approval and Review
This policy is subject to initial approval by the ifs Professional Higher Education Planning and Operations Group (PHEPOG) and thereafter, for review annually.
July 2012