1. Policy statement

Evolve and Inspire Solutions Ltd is committed to fair, valid, reliable, and transparent assessment practices. This policy sets out how we assess students, ensure assessment quality, and handle appeals against assessment decisions.

We aim to:

• Assess students fairly, consistently, and without bias

• Ensure assessments are valid, reliable, and fit for purpose

• Provide clear information about assessment requirements and criteria

• Give timely and constructive feedback

• Handle appeals fairly and efficiently

• Maintain the integrity and credibility of our certifications

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All students undertaking assessed programmes with Evolve and Inspire Solutions Ltd

• All forms of assessment used by us (written, practical, oral/viva-style clarification, observation)

• Formative assessment (practice/feedback during training) and summative assessment (Pass/Refer decisions for certification)

• All staff involved in assessment delivery and learner support (including trainers providing in-class feedback)

• Appeals against assessment decisions

Assessed programmes typically include:

• NLP Practitioner

• NLP Master Practitioner

• Timeline Resourcing® Practitioner

• Strategies Master Class (assessed)

Note: Some future masterclasses may be attendance-based only. Where no formal assessment applies, this policy applies only to any stated competency checks or participation requirements described in course information.

3. Legal and regulatory framework

This policy is informed by and aligned with:

• Equality Act 2010 (fair access and reasonable adjustments)

• Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR (confidentiality and lawful processing of assessment records)

• Consumer Rights Act 2015 and relevant CMA guidance (transparency and fairness for students as consumers)

• IRNCH accreditation standards (where applicable)

• Any additional awarding body requirements where a regulated qualification is offered (not currently applicable unless explicitly stated in course documentation)

4. Roles and responsibilities

4.1. Assessment Coordinator / Lead Assessor

Name: Barbara HM Bochenek

Role: Sole Director / Lead Trainer / Sole Assessor / Assessment Coordinator

Email: info@evolveandinspiresolutions.com

Phone: 07843 785547 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)

Responsibilities:

• Oversee assessment processes and quality

• Ensure assessments are valid, reliable, and fair

• Communicate assessment requirements and submission instructions

• Make Pass/Refer decisions based on evidence

• Maintain assessment records

• Handle reassessment and appeals

• Arrange an independent appeal reviewer where appropriate

4.2. Assessors / Trainers

Evolve and Inspire Solutions Ltd uses a sole assessor model for final assessment decisions.

Trainer support: Tomasz Oźmina may provide in-class feedback and learning support, but does not mark assessments and does not make final assessment decisions.

4.3. Internal Verification

At present, Evolve and Inspire Solutions Ltd does not operate a separate internal verifier role due to the sole assessor model. Quality assurance is achieved through:

• clear criteria and competence standards communicated to learners

• documented assessment decisions and feedback

• reassessment opportunities to demonstrate competence

• independent review arrangements for appeals where appropriate

4.4. Students

Students must:

• complete assessments honestly and to the best of their ability

• submit work by deadlines (or request extensions where needed)

• follow assessment instructions and regulations

• not engage in malpractice (including plagiarism, collusion, or AI-generated answers unless explicitly permitted)

• request reasonable adjustments as early as possible if needed

• use the appeals process appropriately

5. Assessment principles

Our assessment approach is:

• Valid: measures relevant learning outcomes and competencies

• Reliable: decisions are consistent and evidence-based

• Fair: criteria applied consistently; reasonable adjustments considered

• Transparent: students know what is expected and how they will be assessed

• Authentic: work submitted must be the student’s own

• Sufficient: enough evidence is gathered to confirm competence

Outcome model: We use a competence-based Pass/Refer model (no grading bands such as Merit/Distinction).

6. Types of assessment

6.1. Formative assessment (practice/feedback)

During training, students complete exercises, role plays, and practice demonstrations. Feedback is provided to support learning and improvement.

6.2. Summative assessment (certification decision)

Summative assessment contributes to the final Pass/Refer decision for certification and may include:

• open-book written test (where used)

• practical demonstrations / role play

• live observation during training

• confirmation of participation requirements and implementation of feedback

7. Assessment information for students

Students will receive clear information about:

• assessment requirements and deadlines

• submission procedures (including where/how to submit)

• what is required to achieve Pass/competence

• feedback timescales

• reassessment opportunities

• reasonable adjustments available

• malpractice rules (including AI use)

• the appeals process and grounds

When information is provided:

• in welcome materials and/or course information before the course starts

• at induction and throughout the course as needed

• in assessment briefs or instructions when assessments are issued

8. Assessment criteria and marking (pass/refer)

8.1. Assessment criteria

Assessment criteria are aligned to course learning outcomes and competence standards. Students must demonstrate competence in required skills and knowledge areas.

8.2. Pass/Refer descriptors

• Pass: meets required learning outcomes and competence standards

• Refer: does not yet meet required standards; resubmission/reassessment required

9. Submission and deadlines

9.1. Submission method

Unless otherwise stated in writing, written assessments must be submitted by email to:

info@evolveandinspiresolutions.com

9.2. Submission confirmation

We aim to acknowledge receipt of assessment submissions within 2 working days. Students should keep proof of sending (sent email + attachments).

9.3. Standard deadlines

Deadlines are stated in course guidance. Where an open-book test is used, the usual expectation is:

• submitted 1 week before the relevant assessment point, however in practice it may be accepted during training provided it is submitted before the final assessment decision point for that course.

9.4. Technical issues

If technical issues prevent submission, students must contact Barbara as soon as possible with evidence (e.g., screenshots, error messages).

10. Late submission

Because our model is competence-based (Pass/Refer), we do not apply grade penalties. However:

• work submitted late without an approved extension may delay feedback, reassessment opportunities, and certification timelines

• where a submission is significantly late and the student has not engaged or communicated, we may require the student to defer to a later cohort or agree a revised assessment plan

Requesting an extension: See Section 11.

11. Mitigating circumstances

11.1. Definition

Mitigating circumstances are exceptional situations beyond a student’s control that materially affect their ability to complete assessment requirements.

11.2. Examples (may be accepted)

• serious illness or injury

• bereavement

• family emergency

• domestic crisis

• other significant events agreed with Barbara

11.3. Not normally accepted on their own

• poor time management

• routine work commitments

• holidays

• minor illness (unless it materially affects ability to participate/complete assessment)

11.4. How to notify us

Students should contact Barbara HM Bochenek as soon as possible (ideally before the deadline). Evidence may be requested where reasonable and proportionate. All information is handled confidentially.

11.5. Possible outcomes

• extension granted

• reassessment opportunity without disadvantage

• revised assessment plan agreed

• deferral to a later cohort (where appropriate)

12. Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to meeting our duties under the Equality Act 2010.

Students who require reasonable adjustments should disclose this as early as possible so we can discuss appropriate support. Adjustments may include:

• additional time for written work

• alternative formats for materials

• adjusted assessment arrangements

Adjustments must:

• remove disadvantage caused by disability

• not compromise assessment standards or learning outcomes

• not give an unfair advantage

13. Feedback

13.1. Timescale

We aim to provide feedback within 15 working days of receiving a complete submission.

13.2. What feedback includes

Feedback will typically include:

• Pass/Refer decision

• strengths demonstrated

• areas requiring improvement (if Refer)

• clear instructions for reassessment/resubmission

13.3. Additional feedback

Students may request clarification or a short discussion of feedback by email.

14. Reassessment

14.1. When reassessment is offered

Reassessment is offered where:

• a student receives a Refer outcome

• mitigating circumstances are accepted

• an assessment irregularity is identified

14.2. Reassessment opportunities (Barbara’s real process)

• Students normally receive up to 2–3 reassessment attempts, free of charge, to demonstrate competence.

• Reassessment is typically expected within 7 days of feedback while training is ongoing, but this may be flexible depending on circumstances and course structure.

14.3. Failure after reassessment attempts

If a student does not demonstrate competence after reassessment attempts, outcomes may include:

• further learning support and a revised plan (at Barbara HM Bochenek ’s discretion)

• deferral to a later cohort

• non-award of certification

15. Assessment malpractice (including AI)

15.1. Definition

Malpractice is any action that undermines the integrity of assessment.

15.2. Examples

• plagiarism (copying from websites/books/other students without acknowledgement)

• collusion (unauthorised collaboration)

• impersonation / contract cheating

• fabrication of evidence

• using AI tools to generate assessment answers (unless explicitly permitted in writing)

15.3. AI use

Unless explicitly stated otherwise for a specific task, AI tools must not be used to generate assessment answers. We may use reasonable checks to confirm authenticity, including follow-up questions or a short viva/oral clarification.

15.4. Consequences

• minor/first offence: warning + resubmission required

• serious/repeated: refusal of certification and/or removal from the programme

Any action taken will be proportionate and based on evidence.

16. Assessment appeals

16.1. Right to appeal

Students may appeal against an assessment decision on specific grounds.

16.2. Valid grounds for appeal

• procedural irregularity (process not followed and it affected the outcome)

• mitigating circumstances not considered or new evidence available

• bias or discrimination (evidence of unfair treatment)

• administrative error (e.g., decision recorded incorrectly)

16.3. Not valid grounds

• disagreement with academic/competence judgement without evidence of the grounds above

• disappointment with outcome

• needing a Pass for personal/professional reasons

17. Appeals procedure

Stage 1: Informal review (recommended first)

Time limit: within 10 working days of receiving the decision email

How: email Barbara at info@evolveandinspiresolutions.com explaining your query

Outcome: clarification, correction of any clerical error, or confirmation of the decision

Response time: we aim to respond within 5 working days

Stage 2: Formal appeal

Time limit: within 15 working days of receiving the decision email (unless exceptional circumstances)

Submit to: Barbara HM Bochenek (Assessment Coordinator) at info@evolveandinspiresolutions.com

Include:

• grounds for appeal (Section 16.2)

• supporting evidence

• what outcome you are seeking

Acknowledgement: within 2 working days

Investigation and decision: we aim to issue an outcome within 20 working days of receiving a complete appeal submission.

Possible outcomes:

• appeal upheld (decision amended and/or reassessment offered without disadvantage)

• appeal partially upheld (limited remedy)

• appeal not upheld (original decision stands with reasons)

Stage 3: Final internal appeal (independent review)

If the student remains dissatisfied after Stage 2, a final internal appeal may be requested.

Time limit: within 10 working days of the Stage 2 outcome

Grounds:

• new evidence not available earlier, or

• procedural error in the appeal handling, or

• decision not supported by evidence

Independent reviewer: An independent reviewer will be appointed who was not involved in the original assessment decision (e.g., an experienced external assessor or an IRNCH-appropriate reviewer).

Outcome timeframe: we aim to provide a final decision within 20 working days.

Finality: this is the final stage of our internal process.

18. External review

If a student exhausts the internal appeals process and remains dissatisfied, they may contact IRNCH for guidance on standards and process expectations:

IRNCH contact:

Email: info@irnch.com

Phone: 0203 576 3927

Website: www.irnch.com

19. Assessment records

19.1. What we record

• assessment briefs/instructions

• submitted work and attachments

• feedback and outcomes

• observation notes (where applicable)

• reassessment outcomes

• mitigating circumstances correspondence (where applicable)

• appeal submissions and outcomes

19.2. Storage and retention

Records are stored securely with restricted access and retained in line with our Privacy & Data Protection Policy. As a general rule, learner and assessment records are retained for 7 years after training.

20. Quality assurance

To maintain consistency and integrity in a sole assessor model, we use:

• standardised assessment expectations aligned to learning outcomes

• documented decisions and feedback

• reassessment opportunities to confirm competence

• periodic review of assessment approach and student feedback

• independent review arrangements for appeals where appropriate

21. Data protection and privacy

Assessment records contain personal data and are processed in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Assessment outcomes are kept confidential and shared only with the student and those who need access for legitimate operational reasons, or where required by law.

22. Equality and accessibility

We are committed to fair assessment and accessibility. This policy and related assessment information can be provided in alternative formats on request. Reasonable adjustments are available in line with the Equality Act 2010.

23. Links to other policies

This policy should be read alongside:

• Student Code of Conduct (including malpractice and behavioural expectations)

• Privacy & Data Protection Policy

• Terms & Conditions

• Refund & Cancellation Policy

• [Complaints Policy — if/when published]

• [Equality, Diversity & Inclusion / Accessibility Policy — if/when published]

24. Policy review and monitoring

This policy will be reviewed at least annually, or sooner if:

• IRNCH standards change

• relevant legislation changes

• significant assessment issues/appeals arise

• operational delivery changes

25. Contact information

Assessment queries / submissions / appeals:

Barbara HM Bochenek (Assessment Coordinator / Lead Assessor)

Email: info@evolveandinspiresolutions.com

Phone: 07843 785547 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)

26. Student acknowledgement

By enrolling on an assessed programme, students acknowledge that:

• they have been provided with this Assessment & Appeals Policy before assessment

• they understand assessment requirements and their responsibilities

• they understand the reassessment and appeals process

• they will submit work honestly and in line with malpractice/AI rules

Forms available under this Policy

• Assessment Appeal Form

• Mitigating Circumstances Notification Form

• Reasonable Adjustments Request Form

These forms are available on request by contacting info@evolveandinspiresolutions.com.

Assessment & Appeals Policy