top of page

Policies, Terms and Conditions. 

Our Relationship with WSET:

The Spirits School is operated by the Wine Education Company which is an Approved Program Provider (#1970) of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) awards. WSET is an English based qualification that is regulated by the UK Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).

Cancellation and Refunds Policy

Cancelled 30 days prior to course.

If cancelled up to 30 days prior to the commencement of the course, fees are refunded, less $50 administration fee. Course materials must be returned in ‘as new’ condition, or the cost of these is to be deducted from the refund. Commencement of the course refers to either the first course day or commencement of pre-course sessions (where available), whichever is earlier.

Cancelled within 30 days of course.

Where the student cancels less than 30 days prior to the commencement of the course, there are no refunds provided. Deferral will be considered on a case by case basis, and is dependent on availability on future courses. There may be additional costs to rescheduling, such as non-sit fees or rescheduling fees depending on the timing of the cancellation, and the type of course enrolled on (digital v in-person).

​

Where there is compassionate or medical reasons for deferring course attendance, we will allow the course be deferred to a later date. Non-sit fees may apply, which are waived with provision of documentation accepted by WSET Global. For all assessment concerns, please refer to the Policy for Students Requiring Special Consideration.

Cancellation by School

We endeavour to reliably deliver courses on schedule. However, minimum course numbers are required to effectively deliver the classroom experience and course.

​

If you are travelling to the course, please consider refundable accomodation and flights. If you are making non-refundable arrangements, please contact us so that we provide guidance as to whether the course will operate.  We do not offer compensation for travel costs in the event of cancellation. 

​

In the event of cancellation by The Spirits School, you will be offered the option of deferral or refund. For the full refund, books need to be returned in new condition. You will have the option to keep the books at the time of cancellation (for 15% of the course price).  This price can be discounted from the future enrolment in the same course. 

Refunds

All refunds are subject to the above conditions. Refunds are processed within seven days when requested. 

Data Protection Policy

WSET Data Protection Policy

WSET Awards is required to comply with privacy and data protection laws. This policy sets out principles we will apply when handling individuals’ personal information. By submitting data to WSET Awards, individuals authorise WSET Awards to process data in accordance with this policy.

​

Definition of Data 

​

Data refers to information held about an individual that may be processed by WSET Awards in order for it to carry out its function as an awarding organisation. This includes data relating to a living individual who can be identified from that data (or from that data and other information in the possession of WSET Awards). It may also include certain categories of sensitive personal data, e.g. information about an individual’s racial or ethnic origin or their physical or mental health or condition which we may be required by the Regulator to collect in connection with the delivery of WSET qualifications.

​

How WSET Awards processes candidate data.

​

WSET Awards has a legitimate interest in collecting and processing personal data including a candidate’s name(s), date of birth, gender and email address for the purposes of examining and awarding WSET qualifications and collecting feedback from candidates. In some cases, additional information (which may include sensitive personal data relating to health) will be collected to support requests for reasonable adjustments and special consideration. Such personal data will be supplemented by the results of examinations and assessments undertaken by the candidate.

​

A candidate’s personal data will only be collected from APPs in the context of examination registrations and/or certification claims. It will not be used by WSET Awards other than for the administration of the examinations process, conducting assessments and certifying results. Personal data within candidate’s work will be collected and processed by WSET Awards for the purposes of marking and issuing examination results and providing candidates with post-results services. In order to achieve this, some personal information may be transferred to third parties such as examiners outside of the European Economic Area.

​

Data protection arrangements 

​

WSET Awards has the following procedures in place to safeguard data collected by it as an awarding organisation:

  • All WSET Awards staff, students, APPs and educators have access to this policy;

  • All APPs are required to inform students of how their data will be processed for the purposes of registration
and certification of a WSET qualification;

  • Forms which require the collection of personal or sensitive personal data include a data protection statement informing individuals about how their data will be processed;

  • Data collected by WSET Awards is not used for marketing purposes or shared with third parties;

  • No personal data is disclosed to anyone outside of WSET without the prior written consent of the individual;

  • Access to personal information on the WSET Awards database is restricted to authorised users;

  • All records are kept accurate and up-to-date as far as practicable; WSET Awards relies on individuals and APPs to communicate any changes; and

  • Where WSET Awards sends email correspondence to multiple recipients, recipients will be blind-copied.

​

Data security arrangements 

​

  • WSET Awards has appropriate measures in place to ensure the data held on our systems is secure. In the event of an unauthorised use of data or data loss, the individuals concerned will be notified and a recovery plan implemented. This will include a risk assessment and review of operating procedures. 
This policy must be made available to candidates upon request. For further information, including data subject access requests, please contact the Centres Co-ordination and Quality Assurance Manager who will refer the matter to WSET’s designated Data Protection Officer.

Our Data Protection Policy.

We collect personal information from you, including information about your:

 

  • name

  • contact information

  • interactions with us

  • billing information

  • other information provided by the student

  • other information (e.g. grades) provided by WSET awards.

​

We collect your personal information in order to:

 

  1. meet the legitimate needs of the Wine Education Group and WSET awards,

  2. maintain a community of learning.

​

Besides our staff, we share information with WSET Awards where appropriate for the necessary running of our programs. 

​

We keep your information safe by storing your information securely and restricting access to authorised users only.

 

You have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, please contact us at office@thespiritsschool.co.nz.

Complaints and Appeals Policy

Complaints Against The Spirits School.

The Spirits School strives to provide effective and efficient levels of service to all our students. However, there may be occasions where the service provided does not meet our intended standards or student expectations.

​

Complaints against any action or practice which threatens the integrity of the WSET Awards courses, should in the first instance be discussed with the program manager (office@thespiritsschool.co.nz). We undertake to investigate all complaints in a thorough and professional manner. Complaints are encouraged to be detailed in writing by email. You may request a meeting to discuss the complaint. All complaints are treated with confidentiality and will not prejudice the student.

​

In order that the complaint can be addressed, please provide your name and phone number. Provide details in writing of the complaint to be addressed, any evidence supporting the details of the complaint, and any steps already taken to resolve the issue.

 

The Manager of the APP will conduct an investigation into the complaint. All complaints are acknowledged within 3 working days, and the complainant will be informed of the outcome in writing within 20 working days. Within this timeframe, the manager may contact you for more details surrounding the complaint.

 

The outcome of the complaint can be appealed to the APP Director, Michael Darby, (michael@wineedco.co.nz) within 10 working days of receiving the written notification of the outcome. The response will be reviewed for reconsideration. An opportunity to meet and discuss the complaint will be offered. The appeal review will be acknowledged within 3 working days and a written response will be provided within 20 working days.

 

If the student is still unsatisfied with the outcome, the next step is to refer the complaint to the WSET APP administration team (appadmin@wset.co.uk).

 

Examples of complaints would be;

 

Dis-satisfaction with teaching, facilities or administration of WSET courses

Allegations of discrimination or unfair treatment

Falsifying results, assisting candidates with answers

Allowing unauthorised material into the exam room e.g. phones, notes etcï‚·

Allowing candidates to copy from each other.ï‚·

Disruptive behaviours e.g. talking during the exam

​

Complaints against the awarding body.

Complaints against the Wine and Spirit Education Trust should, in the first instance, be discussed with the program manager (office@thespiritsschool.co.nz, or APP Director (michael@wineedco.com) and documented evidence will then be forwarded to The Wine and Spirit Education Trust who have their own complaints policy.

​

Candidates who are unhappy with their exam results can appeal via the centre contact.

Special Consideration Policy

Special consideration is an action taken after an assessment to allow candidates who have been disadvantaged by temporary illness, injury, indisposition or adverse circumstances at the time of the assessment to demonstrate attainment.

​

A candidate may be eligible for special considerations if:

 

Performance in an examination is affected by circumstances beyond the control of the candidate. This may include recent personal illness, accident, bereavement or examination room conditions;

alternative assessment arrangements which were agreed in advance of the assessment proved inappropriate or inadequate;

the application of special consideration would not mislead the end-user of the certificate.

​

Candidate Responsibilities

  • The candidate must notify the Spirits School manager within five (5) days of the examination date using the Request for Special Consideration form.

  • The candidate must provide supporting evidence of the circumstances requiring special consideration. Eligibility will only be considered if accompanied by supporting independent documentation.

​

The Spirits School Responsibilities

  • Where a Request for Special Consideration is received by the APP, this will be submitted to WSET®Awards within seven (7) days of the relevant examination.

  • In cases of serious disruption during the examination, the Examinations Officer will submit a detailed report of the circumstances and candidates affected to the Examinations Administrator at WSET® Awards, in addition to the Examination Papers.

​

Remedies and the Nature of Special Considerations 

  • Where a candidate is unable to attend an examination due to recent personal illness, accident or bereavement, the Wine Education Group will endeavour to transfer the candidate to an alternative examination date at no extra cost.

  • The Spirits School will not charge an unused paper fee for applications where approval from WSET® Awards is granted.

  • WSET® Awards does not offer aegrotat awards and all assessment requirements of WSET® qualifications must be met.

  • It is also our policy that special considerations will not give unfair advantage over candidates for whom special considerations are not being applied, or alter the assessment demands of the qualification as detailed in the qualification specification.

  • Failure to attend due to work commitments does not qualify for “special consideration”.

​

Reasonable Adjustment Policy

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.

 

The Spirits School seeks to conduct the assessment of all candidates in a way that puts them at no disadvantage, or advantage, over other candidates. Reasonable adjustments must not affect the integrity of what needs to be assessed, but 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.

​

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.

 

Our Responsibilities

 

  • Prompts for identification of reasonable adjustment in teaching of special assessment needs at the time of candidate registration forms.

  • 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.

​

Candidate Responsibilities

 

  • Identify any reasonable adjustments in teaching or special assessment requirements on their candidate registration.

  • Communicate with the Wine Education Company Manager to negotiate solutions to reasonable adjustments in the teaching aspects of the course.

  • Candidates are required to submit any reasonable adjustment examination requests at least 6 weeks before the date of the examination. The candidate is required to provide evidence/statement of disability from an independent professional of the relevant field.

  • The Wine Education Company will forward any Requests for Reasonable Adjustments to WSET® Awards.

  • Candidates and their advisors should also be aware

    • that it is not appropriate to make requests for special arrangements where the candidate’s particular difficulty directly affects performance in the actual attributes that are the focus of the assessment.

    • That reasonable adjustments will not give unfair advantage over candidates for whom reasonable adjustments are not being made, or alter the assessment demands of the qualification as detailed in the qualification specification.

​

WSET® Awards reserves the right to seek the advice of independent agencies as appropriate in coming to a decision on specific arrangements and must agree before any reasonable adjustments are offered by this APP to its students.

​

Malpractice and Maladministration policy.

The Spirits School (as a division of the Wine Education Company) will ensure that their programme for the delivery and administration of any WSET qualification complies in all respects to the rules, regulations and procedures set out in the WSET APP Operating Handbook.  All WSET®examinations run by this APP will be administered in line with the Centre Agreement, Code of Practice and Invigilation Instructions provided in the Operating handbook, and Examination Regulations issued to all APPs and Students in the Qualification Specifications.

 

Failure to abide by these criteria will be considered Malpractice and or Maladministration and may affect our ability to continue teaching WSET qualifications.

 

Malpractice can arise from any act, omission, event, incident or circumstance that prejudices learners, affects public confidence in qualifications, affects the standards of qualifications which the awarding body makes available or affects the ability of the awarding body to undertake the development, delivery or award of qualifications.  Maladministration relates to a failure by the APP to offer WSET Qualifications in accordance with the rules, regulations and operating procedures set out in this Handbook.

 

Programme Providers must have in place procedures for dealing with instances of Malpractice and Maladministration should they arise.  These policies will be made available to WSET® Awards upon request, and form part of the criteria which must be met to become an APP.

 

The headings below list categories of maladministration by the staff of the APP and malpractice by APP staff and / or candidates which may adversely affect the integrity of WSET® qualifications and certification.  These examples are not exhaustive and are intended as guidance to APPs and their candidates on the WSET®’s definition of malpractice and maladministration.

 

Malpractice will include, but is not limited to:

 

  • Actual or attempted Plagiarism, or cheating, of any nature by candidates;

  • Use or attempted use of any reference material or electronic device during a closed book examination

  • Disruptive behaviour by candidates in the examination;

  • Candidates in breach of published Examination Regulations and APP in breach of invigilation rules or the Code of Conduct;

  • Fraudulent use of WSET® certificates;

  • A deliberate attempt to discredit the WSET®, or to bring the WSET® into disrepute in any way;

  • Issue of bogus examination results;

  • Insecure storage of examination papers;

  • Unauthorised amendment, copying or distribution of examination papers;

  • Use of unapproved or ineligible educators to deliver a qualification course, or use of un-authorised internal assessors

  • Change of examination location or altered facilities so they no longer meet the required standards;

  • Failure to administer examination in line with the assessment requirements;

  • Denial of access to resources (premises, records, information, candidates and staff) by authorised WSET®representatives and/or the Regulatory Authorities;

​

Maladministration will include, but is not limited to:

  • Failure to follow procedures or adhere to regulations as laid out in the APP Operating Handbook;

  • Failure to return examination papers within the required timeframe or

  • Returning exam papers by regular post and not recorded delivery or trackable courier;

  • Failure to issues results to candidates in a timely manner

  • Breach or infringement of WSET® copyright and trademarks;

  • Non-payment of fees for WSET® services or examinations;

  • Breach of the Conflicts of Interest Policy

  • Breach of the Centre Agreement or APP Code of Conduct;

  • A change in control of the APP that results in new management being unable to meet WSET® Awards criteria.

 

Major Malpractice

 

Serious and /or deliberate breaches of conduct, or serious neglect of professional duty, represents a high risk to the integrity of the qualification. Major Malpractice could result in the invalidation or revocation of examination results to a student and / or approval of the APP. In this instance OfQual must be informed of the malpractice case and WSET®Awards will take all appropriate action as directed by the Regulatory Authority, which may include notification to other Awarding Bodies.  An example of Major Malpractice would be, ‘Fraudulent use of WSET® certificates and the issue of false examination results’ or ‘Unauthorised amendment, copying or distribution of examination papers’.

 

Minor Malpractice

 

Minor and /or accidental breaches of conduct or neglect of professional duty, or those more major breaches not considered to be deliberate or malicious in intent, represents a lower risk to the integrity of the qualification and would not affect examination results or certification.  Examples of minor malpractice could include, ‘failure to follow procedures laid out in the Operating Handbook’ or ‘Change of examination location or altered facilities so they no longer meet the required standards’.

 

Reporting Malpractice

 

The Spirits School will report any potential case of malpractice by candidates, educators, invigilators or centre staff to the Centres Co-ordinator and Quality Assurance Manager at WSET® Awards immediately using the Notification of Potential Malpractice Form.

 

Failure to do so may result in the refusal to issue results and Certification to candidates, the invalidation of examination results or the withdrawal of approval to offer WSET® qualifications.

 

Where The Spirits School personnel are involved, internal processes will be followed with WSET® Awards kept informed of the steps taken to resolve the situation.

 

Malpractice may be reported to WSET® Awards by a WSET® Awards appointed Approval Visitor.  In this instance the APP will be advised during the approval visit that a case of Malpractice is being reported.

 

WSET® Awards will also act upon reports of suspected or actual malpractice received from candidates or other parties regarding an APP’s activities or personnel which may affect the integrity of WSET® qualifications.

 

WSET® Awards Responsibility

 

WSET® Awards will confirm receipt of a report of suspected or actual malpractice within 3 working days.

​

WSET® Awards will appoint a suitably trained officer to investigate the alleged malpractice and this officer will request supporting evidence from the APP, Candidate or other parties to validate the report of suspected or actual malpractice.

​

Potential Sanctions Against Candidates

 

Following an investigation by WSET® Awards, it may be necessary to apply one of more of the following sanctions against an individual candidate or candidates.

 

  • Letter of warning;

  • The disallowing of an examination result;

  • The invalidation of a certificate and/or unit certificate and recall of certification already issued;

  • Refusal of entry to future WSET®

​​

All decisions with regard to malpractice will be communicated in writing within 20 working days following receipt of supporting documentation.  Where it is not possible to respond within this timeframe, a written response will be given providing a date for completion.

 

Any candidate, educator, invigilator or APP has the right to appeal any decision made against them using the General Appeals section of the APP handbook, or as detailed in the WSET® Customer Service Statement .

​

​

Conflicts of Interest Policy

The Spirits School, as a division of the Wine Education Company is approved by WSET Awards which is subject to regulation by the UK Government’s regulator, OfQual.  As a regulated awarding organisation, we are required to identify, monitor and manage all conflicts of interest which may have an adverse effect on the qualifications we offer and we must take all reasonable steps to mitigate such adverse effect where it exists.

 

This document offers guidance to individuals engaged in activities undertaken on behalf of WSET Awards (the awarding organisation of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust) which have potential to lead them to act contrary to the interests of WSET Awards in the development, delivery, assessment and award of its regulated qualifications.

 

It defines what is meant by conflict of interest, describes such conflicts of interest in the context of working with WSET Awards, identifies those conflicts of interest that can be managed and are therefore acceptable and those that cannot be managed and are therefore unacceptable.  It also gives examples of potential conflicts of interest.

 

Scope of this policy

 

This policy is applicable to all members of staff employed by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and to any individual acting on behalf of WSET Awards.  This includes those involved in the development of WSET qualifications, question-setting, marking of assessments, delivery of WSET programmes of study leading to WSET qualifications, marketing of WSET qualifications, production of study materials, examination papers, qualification certificates and all other associated resources and services.

 

It relates to WSET regulated qualifications offered in the United Kingdom and international markets.

 

Definition of conflict of interest

 

A conflict of interest exists where an individual has interests or loyalties that could adversely influence their judgement, objectivity or loyalty to WSET Awards when conducting activities associated with our qualifications.  These can arise in many different aspects of awarding organisation activity, such as:

 

An individual whose personal interests or loyalties conflict with their awarding organisation involvement.

An individual who receives remuneration for services that conflict with their awarding organisation involvement.

An individual whose acts put WSET Awards in a position of non-compliance with its regulatory responsibilities.

Whilst it would be impossible to give a definitive list of scenarios representing potential conflicts of interest, the following have been identified from WSET Awards’ Risk Management review as significant.  However, other scenarios will constitute conflicts of interest, and we will take actions to redress any such instances that come to our attention other than by declaration from the individual concerned.  Such actions may also include the imposition of sanctions, if deemed appropriate.

 

Specific examples of conflicts of interest include the following:

 

  • The undertaking of any assessment of candidates by an individual who has a personal interest in the result of the assessment for any or all individuals concerned.

  • The undertaking of any moderation of assessment of candidates by an individual who has a personal interest in the result of the assessment for any or all individuals concerned.

  • The tutoring of candidates by any individual involved in the assessment process.

  • The undertaking of a WSET-regulated qualification by any individual employed by an APP.

  • The undertaking of a WSET-regulated qualification by any individual employed by WSET Awards.

  • The invigilation of a WSET-regulated qualification by any individual involved in the delivery of training leading to the assessment.

  • The delivery of “coaching sessions” to examination candidates by any individual involved in the assessment of candidate scripts or the authoring of examination questions.

  • The employment by an APP of individuals engaged in the delivery of taught programmes or in the role of Internal Assessor in another APP.

 

Some of these examples can be managed and are therefore acceptable.  For example, the marking of tasting assessments by Level 3 Internal Assessors is ALWAYS verified by WSET Awards as they have an interest in the results of the assessments of learners they have taught. Our verification process mitigates this conflict of interest.  Similarly, where an employee of the WSET or one of its APPs undertakes a WSET qualification, we can put measures in place to maintain the integrity of the assessment, PROVIDED we are notified of this conflict of interest in advance of the assessment.  However, it would be inappropriate for any individual involved in the authoring of examination questions or the compilation of examination papers to teach or coach learners under any circumstances as there are no options for us to mitigate the effect of this clear conflict of interest.

 

Any individual engaged with WSET Awards in the provision of our regulated qualifications, as identified under the scope of this policy, is required to make a “Declaration of Interest” by informing WSET Awards of any potential conflict of interest.  Certain individuals, such as those involved in the assessment process are also required to submit a signed declaration of “Non-disclosure”.  It is essential that any conflict of interest is declared to WSET Awards immediately to ensure this does not compromise our status of compliance with our regulator, Ofqual.  Any APP who fails to declare a potential conflict of interest is in breach of our criteria for approval, and sanctions may be applied to their approval status as a result.

 

WSET Awards has processes and procedures in place to manage actual or perceived conflicts of interest.  These include the exclusive involvement of WSET Awards staff in the creation of all assessment materials, moderation of all internal assessment conducted by APPs and moderation of all written examinations not marked by optical mark readers.  There are of course many other instances of conflict of interest for which we do not have documented procedures in place.  Such instances will be handled on an individual basis to ensure that the integrity of our assessments is not compromised.

​

​

Conflicts of Interest Policy

The Spirits School, as a division of the Wine Education Company is approved by WSET Awards which is subject to regulation by the UK Government’s regulator, OfQual.  As a regulated awarding organisation, we are required to identify, monitor and manage all conflicts of interest which may have an adverse effect on the qualifications we offer and we must take all reasonable steps to mitigate such adverse effect where it exists.

 

This document offers guidance to individuals engaged in activities undertaken on behalf of WSET Awards (the awarding organisation of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust) which have potential to lead them to act contrary to the interests of WSET Awards in the development, delivery, assessment and award of its regulated qualifications.

 

It defines what is meant by conflict of interest, describes such conflicts of interest in the context of working with WSET Awards, identifies those conflicts of interest that can be managed and are therefore acceptable and those that cannot be managed and are therefore unacceptable.  It also gives examples of potential conflicts of interest.

 

Scope of this policy

 

This policy is applicable to all members of staff employed by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and to any individual acting on behalf of WSET Awards.  This includes those involved in the development of WSET qualifications, question-setting, marking of assessments, delivery of WSET programmes of study leading to WSET qualifications, marketing of WSET qualifications, production of study materials, examination papers, qualification certificates and all other associated resources and services.

 

It relates to WSET regulated qualifications offered in the United Kingdom and international markets.

 

Definition of conflict of interest

 

A conflict of interest exists where an individual has interests or loyalties that could adversely influence their judgement, objectivity or loyalty to WSET Awards when conducting activities associated with our qualifications.  These can arise in many different aspects of awarding organisation activity, such as:

 

An individual whose personal interests or loyalties conflict with their awarding organisation involvement.

An individual who receives remuneration for services that conflict with their awarding organisation involvement.

An individual whose acts put WSET Awards in a position of non-compliance with its regulatory responsibilities.

Whilst it would be impossible to give a definitive list of scenarios representing potential conflicts of interest, the following have been identified from WSET Awards’ Risk Management review as significant.  However, other scenarios will constitute conflicts of interest, and we will take actions to redress any such instances that come to our attention other than by declaration from the individual concerned.  Such actions may also include the imposition of sanctions, if deemed appropriate.

 

Specific examples of conflicts of interest include the following:

 

  • The undertaking of any assessment of candidates by an individual who has a personal interest in the result of the assessment for any or all individuals concerned.

  • The undertaking of any moderation of assessment of candidates by an individual who has a personal interest in the result of the assessment for any or all individuals concerned.

  • The tutoring of candidates by any individual involved in the assessment process.

  • The undertaking of a WSET-regulated qualification by any individual employed by an APP.

  • The undertaking of a WSET-regulated qualification by any individual employed by WSET Awards.

  • The invigilation of a WSET-regulated qualification by any individual involved in the delivery of training leading to the assessment.

  • The delivery of “coaching sessions” to examination candidates by any individual involved in the assessment of candidate scripts or the authoring of examination questions.

  • The employment by an APP of individuals engaged in the delivery of taught programmes or in the role of Internal Assessor in another APP.

 

Some of these examples can be managed and are therefore acceptable.  For example, the marking of tasting assessments by Level 3 Internal Assessors is ALWAYS verified by WSET Awards as they have an interest in the results of the assessments of learners they have taught. Our verification process mitigates this conflict of interest.  Similarly, where an employee of the WSET or one of its APPs undertakes a WSET qualification, we can put measures in place to maintain the integrity of the assessment, PROVIDED we are notified of this conflict of interest in advance of the assessment.  However, it would be inappropriate for any individual involved in the authoring of examination questions or the compilation of examination papers to teach or coach learners under any circumstances as there are no options for us to mitigate the effect of this clear conflict of interest.

 

Any individual engaged with WSET Awards in the provision of our regulated qualifications, as identified under the scope of this policy, is required to make a “Declaration of Interest” by informing WSET Awards of any potential conflict of interest.  Certain individuals, such as those involved in the assessment process are also required to submit a signed declaration of “Non-disclosure”.  It is essential that any conflict of interest is declared to WSET Awards immediately to ensure this does not compromise our status of compliance with our regulator, Ofqual.  Any APP who fails to declare a potential conflict of interest is in breach of our criteria for approval, and sanctions may be applied to their approval status as a result.

 

WSET Awards has processes and procedures in place to manage actual or perceived conflicts of interest.  These include the exclusive involvement of WSET Awards staff in the creation of all assessment materials, moderation of all internal assessment conducted by APPs and moderation of all written examinations not marked by optical mark readers.  There are of course many other instances of conflict of interest for which we do not have documented procedures in place.  Such instances will be handled on an individual basis to ensure that the integrity of our assessments is not compromised.

​

​

Diversity and Equality Policy

The Wine Education Company fully supports the principles of Equal Opportunities.  We strive to ensure that all candidates for our qualifications are treated fairly and on an equal basis

 

Equal Opportunities are assured by:

 

the selection, recruitment and training of those working for this APP;

consideration at an early stage in the development of new schemes or qualifications;

  • ensuring that the format and content of all syllabi, examinations and other do not discriminate against anyone which is the responsibility of WSET Awards by whom we are approved to teach WSET qualifications;

  • ensuring there are no barriers to entry to units and qualifications, which we deliver and/or offer, for disabled people, women or men, or people from different racial groups, other than those directly related to the integrity of the units or qualifications. The nature of any barriers will be stated and the inclusion of the requirements that create the barrier justified only and explicitly in terms of the integrity of the unit or the qualification.  Details of how the effect of any barriers will be mitigated will be recorded, including using access arrangements or including reasonable adjustments.

  • clarifying the responsibility of all members of staff and/or consultants, who are involved in the delivery of WSET courses within this APP, to comply with this policy. In particular external parties invited by this APP to contribute to these development arrangements must also, as representatives of relevant learners, ensure that the views of learners and others are taken into account in the development of QCF units and qualifications.

  • anonymous assessment of examination candidates wherever possible;

  • promoting practices and procedures that give equal opportunities to everyone;

  • being required to have equal opportunity policies in place;

  • the variation of any conventional rules and regulations for the conduct of examinations which might inhibit the performance of candidates with specific needs, provided that the standard, quality and integrity of the assessment is not compromised.

  • working as appropriate with relevant organisations and agencies to develop measures to identify and prevent inequality of opportunity;

  • making every effort to ensure that there is equality of opportunity in its assessment process, regardless of the candidate’s gender, age, racial origin, religious persuasion, sexual orientation or disability;

  • ensuring, to the best of our ability, that any documentation produced does not contain language or images which may be regarded as offensive or stereotypical, and that they reflect the diversity of contemporary society.

​​

This APP is an equal opportunities organisation and will consider applications from any organisation or individual who can demonstrate that they meet our approval criteria.

​

Note to Candidates:

 

Candidates who believe they have been discriminated against should contact the director of the Wine Education Company (michael@wineedco.com) in the first instance for advice.

​

bottom of page