Exams

J S Peston made this Freedom of Information request to Falmouth University This request has been closed to new correspondence. Contact us if you think it should be reopened.

The request was partially successful.

Dear Falmouth University,

I wish to request, under the Freedom of Information Act, (1) a copy of the University’s policy on the admittance of (private / resit) candidates who hold an offer to study at the University but will be unable to fulfill that offer due to their centre redacting their exam entry or who otherwise will be unable to provide a candidate with a grade.

(2) If no such policy exists, I wish to request any information on the matter of changes to the University’s normal admissions procedure - whether codified or not - following COVID-19.

(3) I also wish to request all internal communication between staff on the matter outlined above - including, but not limited to, emails, IM messages, texts, and phone records.

Yours faithfully,

J S Peston

Information Office, Falmouth University

Dear Mr/Ms Peston

 

Freedom of Information Request FOI0558 – Admissions procedure following
COVID-19

 

Thank you for your email of 29 April 2020 requesting information about our
admissions procedure following COVID-19 at Falmouth University.

 

Your request is being dealt with under the terms of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 and we will aim to answer within twenty working days.

During this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, there may be a delay when
responding to information rights requests as the University needs to
prioritise its resources during this period.  This necessary diversion of
resource is acknowledged by the [1]ICO. We will notify you in advance if
we believe that we will not be able to answer your request within the
statutory twenty working days. 

In the meanwhile your request has been sent to the relevant department/s
seeking answers to all the questions that you have posed.

 

If you have any queries about this request do not hesitate to contact me.
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Information Governance Officer

Falmouth University, Falmouth Campus, Woodlane, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11
4RH

[2]https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/data-privacy 

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlo...
2. https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/data-privacy
https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Information Office, Falmouth University

Dear Mr/Ms Peston

Freedom of Information Request FOI0558 – Admissions procedure following
COVID-19

Thank you for your email of 29 April 2020 requesting information about our
admissions procedure following COVID-19 at Falmouth University.

We have dealt with this under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. We have
now completed searching for the information you requested. 

 

Your Request
“(1) a copy of the University’s policy on the admittance of (private /
resit) candidates who hold an offer to study at the University but will be
unable to fulfill that offer due to their centre redacting their exam
entry or who otherwise will be unable to provide a candidate with a grade.

(2) If no such policy exists, I wish to request any information on the
matter of changes to the University’s normal admissions procedure -
whether codified or not - following COVID-19.

(3) I also wish to request all internal communication between staff on the
matter outlined above - including, but not limited to, emails, IM
messages, texts, and phone records.”

 

Our Response
Request 1
A copy of the University’s policy on the admittance of (private / resit)
candidates who hold an offer to study at the University but will be unable
to fulfill that offer due to their centre redacting their exam entry or
who otherwise will be unable to provide a candidate with a grade.

Response 1
This policy does not exist. Therefore, this information is not held.

 

Request 2
If no such policy exists, I wish to request any information on the matter
of changes to the University’s normal admissions procedure - whether
codified or not - following COVID-19.

 

Response 2
This information is not held.

 

Request 3
I also wish to request all internal communication between staff on the
matter outlined above - including, but not limited to, emails, IM
messages, texts, and phone records.

 

Response 3
Not applicable.

 

Appeal Process 

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the
right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be
submitted via email within 40 working days of the date of receipt of the
response to your original communication and should be addressed to:
[1][email address] for the attention of Peter Cox, Chief Operating
Officer, Falmouth University.  

 

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: 

  

[2]https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/  

  

If you have any queries about this email, please contact me. 

 

Yours sincerely 

  

Information Officer   
Falmouth University, Falmouth Campus, Woodlane, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11
4RH  

 

[3]https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/data-privacy

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlo...
3. https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/data-privacy

Dear Falmouth University,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Falmouth University's handling of my FOI request 'Exams'.

Please explain why you have deemed the third point of my request to be 'Not Applicable'. I find it likely, given the current situation, that this will have been discussed by staff.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/e...

Yours faithfully,

J S Peston

Information Office, Falmouth University

Dear Mr/Ms Peston

 

Freedom of Information Request FOI0558 – Admissions procedure following
COVID-19

 

Thank you for contacting us about the above FOI request. 

 

An internal review will now be conducted and the University aims to
respond to you within 20 working days.

As previously advised, there may be a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic
when responding as the University needs to prioritise its resources during
this period. We will notify you in advance if we believe that we will not
be able to answer your request within this time period.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact us and quote the
reference number above. 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Information Governance Officer

Falmouth University, Falmouth Campus, Woodlane, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11
4RH

[1]https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/data-privacy 

 

 

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/data-privacy
https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Bull, Ben, Falmouth University

Dear Mr/Ms Peston, 

Thank you for your email of the 11th of May 2020 requesting an internal
review of the above referenced Freedom of Information request.  Having
reviewed your original request and had discussions with relevant staff
involved in both the response to your request, and the University’s
admissions policy, I am now able to answer your request for a review. 

 

Background 

For the sake of clarity, your original request listed 3 questions: 

(1) a copy of the University’s policy on the admittance of (private
/ resit) candidates who hold an offer to study at the University but will
be unable to fulfill that offer due to their centre redacting their exam
entry or who otherwise will be unable to provide a candidate with a
grade. 

(2) If no such policy exists, I wish to request any information on the
matter of changes to the University’s normal admissions procedure -
whether codified or not - following COVID-19. 

(3) I also wish to request all internal communication between staff on the
matter outlined above - including, but not limited to, emails, IM
messages, texts, and phone records. 

In its response to you, the University stated that there was no policy in
response to your first question and that no information was held in
response to your second question.  It then stated that the third question
was not applicable as no information was held for the first two
questions. 

As stated, on the 11th of May 2020 you requested an internal review of the
University’s response to your request stating the following, which is an
excerpt of your email: 

Please explain why you have deemed the third point of my request to be
'Not Applicable'. I find it likely, given the current situation, that this
will have been discussed by staff. 

 

Investigation 

To consider your request for review I have examined the original request,
original response, spoken to the staff within Information Governance who
carried out the initial search for information and also the staff within
Applicant Service who responded to the search.  I have also conducted an
independent search of our relevant policies and publications to ascertain
whether at the time of your request the University failed to disclose
any information relevant to your request. 

The University publishes policies which are relevant to applicants and
students on its website at the following
URL: [1]https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/student-regul... Under
the Applicant Services section there are three documents which I have
reviewed and appear to be relevant to your questions, these are: 

 1. The Admissions
Policy ([2]https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/file/39441/do...

 2. The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
Policy ([3]https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/file/35295/do...

 3. The Offer Information 2020-21 Entry and Deferred 2012-22 Entry
Document ([4]https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/file/39324/do...

 

I would like to draw your attention to page 8, section 7 of the Admissions
Policy and page 3, section 1 of the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
Policy.  I believe they are relevant to your original request as well as
your assertion that it is likely discussions have taken place in relation
to candidates who hold an offer to study but may be unable to produce a
suitable grade / certificate due to decisions taken by their
exam centre.   

Within the Admissions Policy, section 7.1.1 states the following: 

Due to the creative nature of the University’s courses, applicants will be
considered on individual merit and potential through their application and
attendance at a selection day (interview) or audition. The standard for
entry may be reached from a variety of backgrounds and subjects. We will
also consider a range of equivalent level qualifications from around the
world, and equivalent learning achieved through self-directed study and/or
professional or voluntary experience. 

The University interviews all applicants to undergraduate and postgraduate
taught courses, as well as those delivered in partnership with
other organisations. 

Within the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) Policy, section 1 states
the following: 

1.1. The University appreciates that not all prospective students meet the
standard entry criteria for its courses, but that such applicants may have
achieved equivalent learning outcomes through other qualifications,
self-directed study, and/or professional experience. The University has,
therefore, developed a policy and procedure that provides prospective
students with the opportunity to demonstrate how they meet the entry
criteria in other ways. This process is referred to as the Accreditation
of Prior Learning (APL). 

1.2. In its broadest sense, Accreditation of Prior Learning refers to the
recognition of previous certificated learning and/or learning experience
undertaken by a student and/or applicant. This recognised learning can
also be given a ‘credit-value’, which may permit a prospective student to
commence a course of study at a later stage, or with some credits
exempted. This is sometimes referred to as entry with advanced standing,
which may enable a student direct entry into Level 5 or Level 6 of an
undergraduate degree, or exemption from the ‘Certificate’ stage or
‘taught’ components of a Level 7 (postgraduate) qualification. 

I draw attention to these documents and the excerpts above in particular
as they demonstrate the University's approach to admissions already has a
degree of flexibility which was highlighted to me by staff within
Applicant Services.  As a result of this flexibility, no
discussions have taken place which relates to your original set of
questions.  I have confirmed this with staff within Applicant Services who
are responsible for the University’s Admissions Policy
and associated processes. 

 

Outcome 

In reviewing your original request and the University’s original response
I have found nothing to indicate that a thorough search was not carried
out or that the University has withheld any information which could be
relevant to your request.  The brief length of the original response may
have prompted your internal review request however, in providing the
additional points of clarification and links to relevant documents above I
am confident that the University has done all that is required under the
Act to satisfy your request. 

 

Appeal Process  

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision.  The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF. 

 

Yours sincerely, 

Ben Bull
Information Governance Manager
Digital Experience and Information Services
Falmouth University
Falmouth Campus, Woodlane, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4RH
 
 [5]www.falmouth.ac.uk

References

Visible links
1. https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/student-regul...
2. https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/file/39441/do...
3. https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/file/35295/do...
4. https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/file/39324/do...
5. https://mailspace.falmouth.ac.uk/owa/red...