End of Key Stage statutory assessments

Very occasionally a moderator and school may not be able to reach an agreement.

If this happens then the moderator will log the pupil for which the appeal has been made on the visit note and take copies of any evidence to support the school appeal.

They will then inform the moderation manager who will:

1. Discuss any concerns with the school's designated moderator.
2. If the issue is not resolved, the moderation manager will contact the school by phone or email.
3. The moderation manager will speak with the moderator to discuss the moderation visit. They will note the moderator's account of details.
4. Schools must have evidence to support any appeal claim before the appeal is processed. The evidence can only be based on that validated during the LA moderation visit.
5. All outcomes will be documented and all parties involved in the complaint/appeal will sign.
6. Outcomes from the complaint/appeal will be noted transparently for headteachers and LA to keep on record.
7. If an agreement cannot be reached with the moderation manager, the school will be offered the opportunity to refer the matter to another local authority. In this case, the moderation manager and the school will agree to abide by the decision of the other LA.
8. If the school does not wish the case to be referred, then the moderation manager makes the final decision about the judgements to be reported.

Schools may request a review of the moderation judgement but must pay any costs, unless the review upholds the school's challenge.

Deadline for appeals

Appeals must be received in writing within 2 working days of the date the moderation visit note was sent.

The authority takes any complaints or queries very seriously. They will respond to and resolve them as quickly as possible.​ The 2024 Appeals LAs are Suffolk and Hertfordshire.