Policy for Complaints Procedure

We note that all complaints against any action or practice which threatens the integrity of courses provided by Wine & Co Consultancy Pte Ltd (WCCPL) will be investigated in a thorough and professional manner. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Notifying the complainant that their complaint will be investigated by a named individual within a given timescale.
• Informing the complainant of the outcome of the investigation in writing.
• Informing the complainant of the appropriate escalation of the complaint if the initial outcome is still unsatisfactory.

An outline of the problem and the main points should be documented and dated. If the problem is not resolved at this stage, we will inform the complainant that they should contact a higher authority WCCPL. Examples of complaints would be:
• Dis-satisfaction with teaching, facilities or administration of any of the courses.
• Allegations of discrimination or unfair teaching.
• Falsifying results, assisting candidates with answers.
• Allowing unauthorised material into the exam room, e.g. phones, notes etc.
• Allowing candidates to copy from each other.
• Disruptive behaviours e.g. talking during the exam.

Complaints against the awarding bodies.
• We note that complaints against the awarding bodies should, in the first instance, be discussed with Wine & Co and documented evidence should then be forwarded to the awarding bodies who have their own complaints policy.
• We note that candidates who are unhappy with their exam results can appeal via Wine & Co and the respective awarding body will investigate.

Conflict of Interest Policy

As an APP, Wine & Co Consultancy Pte Ltd (WCCPL) is required to identify to WSET and assist in managing or monitoring actual, potential and perceived conflicts of interest (‘Conflicts of Interest’) involving both APP staff and students. This policy complements WSET’s conflicts of interest policy and works to safeguard the integrity of WSET qualifications and promote confidence in WSET and WCCPL processes and procedures.

This policy applies to all WCCPL staff and students and to any individual acting on behalf of WCCPL.

A Conflict of Interest exists where an individual has interests or loyalties that could adversely influence their judgement, objectivity or loyalty to WSET or WCCPL when conducting activities associated with WSET qualifications.

Examples of Conflicts of Interest include:
• The assessment of candidates by an individual who has a personal interest in the result of the assessment for any or all individuals concerned;
• The 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 undertaking of a WSET qualification by any individual employed by an APP;
• The invigilation of a WSET assessment by any individual involved in the delivery of training leading to the assessment;
• The coaching of candidates by any individual involved in the assessment of candidate scripts;
• The employment by an APP of individuals engaged in the delivery of taught programmes or in the role of Internal
• Assessor in another APP;
• The investigation of a non-compliance incident by someone who is unable to act impartially.
Some of these Conflicts of Interest are manageable and therefore acceptable. For example, if family member of one of WCCPL’s educators or APP staff takes a qualification and exam through WCCPL, or when an employee of WCCPL, or of the WSET, takes a WSET qualification through WCCPL, we can notify WSET in advance and work with them to put in place measures to maintain the integrity of the exam.

Some Conflicts of Interest are not manageable and are not acceptable. For example, no mitigation efforts overcome the conflict created when an individual when a single individual serves as the educator and exam officer of an exam for a family member where an external invigilator is not available.

Any staff member or student of WCCPL who becomes aware of a Conflict of Interest must inform Admin at +65 65478179 as soon as possible. Admin will inform the WSET of the possible conflict of interest and will work with WSET to put any protective or mitigating measures in place to manage the conflict on a case-by-case basis. If WSET and WCCPL determine the conflict is not manageable, Admin will inform any impacted APP staff or students.

Please note that the failure to declare a conflict of interest may have consequences for the student or WCCPL because we are required to report conflicts to WSET.

Reasonable Adjustments Policy

Both WSET and Wine & Co Consultancy Pte Ltd (WCCPL) want to make WSET assessments accessible for all students, so none are at an advantage or disadvantage based on a disability or differing ability. This policy and the reasonable adjustment process allows us WCCPL to work with you, our student, before an assessment to gather the information we need to submit a request to WSET and work with them to make arrangements that give students access to WSET qualifications.

A reasonable adjustment is any accommodation or arrangement that helps to reduce the effect of a known disability or difficulty that substantially disadvantages a student’s assessment. Using a reasonable adjustment does not impact how WSET grades your exam, or your result, but WSET cannot agree to reasonable adjustments where your particular difficulty directly affects performance necessary to complete the assessment outcomes (e.g. inability to smell or taste for a Level 3 Exam). The goal of a reasonable adjustment is to give you equal access to a WSET qualification, not to give unfair advantages over other students who take an assessment without the same adjustment, or to affect the overall reliability of the assessment outcomes that are explained in the course Specification.

Examples of reasonable adjustments may be:
• 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.

WCCPL will gather the information we need from you to submit a Reasonable Adjustment Application form to WSET. WSET must approve and arrange reasonable adjustments before the assessment activity takes place. Before completing enrolment with WCCPL, we will give all students access to this policy and the chance to identify any special needs that could require a reasonable adjustment. If a student identifies a special need, WCCPL will give the student the Reasonable Adjustment Application form as soon as possible and work with the student to gather the necessary information.

For any student seeking a reasonable adjustment, please contact WCCPL at +65 65478179 with
• Your full name;
• contact information;
• description of the special need, disability or differing ability that requires an adjustment; and
• supporting documentation.
You must submit this information at least 21 days before the exam date for Levels 1-3 qualifications. The information you submit will be shared with WSET and will be handled under WSET’s Privacy and Data Protection Policy.

WCCPL will keep records of all reasonable adjustment applications.

Special Consideration Policy

Special consideration is any adjustment given to a student who has temporarily experienced an illness or injury, or other event outside of their control at the time of the exam that significantly affects their ability to take the exam or their ability to show their knowledge and understanding in the assessment. Special consideration is only for things that happen immediately before or during an exam that have a material impact on your, the student’s, ability to take the exam or on your performance. To be eligible for special consideration, you must have completed the whole course and would have been fully prepared if not for the temporary illness, injury or other uncontrollable event. A special consideration may be for an individual (e.g. a student becomes ill the day of the exam) or a group of students (e.g. an exam is interrupted by a natural disaster).

You may be eligible for special consideration if:
• Your performance on the exam is adversely affected by an event outside of your control. This may include temporary illness, temporary injury, bereavement or exam room conditions;
• Reasonable adjustments which were agreed in advance of the exam proved inappropriate or inadequate;
• The application of special consideration would not make a passing result and certificate misleading about the student’s ability to satisfy the qualification’s assessment criteria.

Applying for special consideration
If you have taken an exam, or your exam is immediately approaching, and you feel that you have a temporary injury or illness, or other uncontrollable event that has interfered with your ability to complete your exam, please contact Admin at +65 65478179 as soon as possible. WCCPL will provide you with a Special Consideration. Application Form, which must be completed and returned with supporting documentation within 6 working days after the effected exam. The information you submit will be shared with WSET and will be handled under WSET’s Privacy and Data Protection Policy.

If there has been serious disruption during an exam affecting a group of students, WCCPL will submit a detailed report of the circumstances and candidates affected to WSET to request a special consideration.

Wine & Co will keep records of all applications for special consideration.