OCR Appeals Committee Members - 6846 in Cambridge

We value diversity and inclusion and particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups to ensure our committee reflects the society we serve. We are Cambridge OCR, part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher and assessment organisation, and a proud part of the University of Cambridge.

We are looking for Appeals Committee Members to sit on the Cambridge OCR Appeals Committee. The Committee ensures that students, teachers and other education staff involved in assessment, mainly in the UK, have a voice in the decisions we make about them. The Committee helps us ensure we treat them fairly, at the same time as upholding the standards and integrity of our qualifications.

Appeals Committee Members conduct an independent review of individual cases about:

• the accuracy and procedures in awarding results
• malpractice sanctions
• how students with special circumstances, such as disabilities, illness and injury, are supported through assessments to minimise any disadvantage

These cases can involve complex, sensitive issues that have a serious effect on people's lives and futures. Appeal hearings are held online via Microsoft Teams with the potential for some in person in our Cambridge office made up of a panel of three committee members, including a panel chair and at least one independent member. They are supported by a secretary drawn from Cambridge OCR staff. Further details of the appeals process can be found in the JCQ guide to the awarding bodies' appeal processes.

As a member of Cambridge OCR's Appeals Committee, you will form part of the panel for appeal hearings, reading case papers in advance. You will attend appeal hearings online or in person, listen to the cases made by Cambridge OCR and the people appealing, question them and decide whether to uphold or not uphold appeals in full, or in part, based on JCQ regulations and the available evidence.

When upholding appeals you may recommend or direct that Cambridge OCR:

• conducts further work, such as:

• reviewing the marking of an examination, or moderation of non-examined assessment
• re-investigating a malpractice allegation
• re-considering a special consideration or access arrangement decision
• changing a malpractice sanction
• removing a malpractice sanction or finding of malpractice

Training is provided annually (or more often if needed). Hearings are scheduled mainly between November and January typically Tuesday to Thursday lasting around three hours sometimes up to four hours including the pre-meeting. However, isolated hearings may occur at any point through the year. Most hearings are online via Microsoft Teams, while some may be in-person at our Cambridge office.

Payment: Currently £92.49 per appeal hearing session. Currently a variable preparation fee typically of £92.49 but may increase or decrease depending on the complexity of the appeal hearing. Travel and subsistence allowances are paid for in-person meetings.

We're looking for people with the highest personal and professional standards, who can reach fair and proper outcomes in demanding situations. Committee members cannot be current employees or assessors of Cambridge University Press and Assessment. Ideally, applicants should not have been employed by Cambridge University Press and Assessment or assessed for Cambridge OCR within the last five years.

You should have:

• Excellent communication skills, including active listening
• Ability to interpret, analyse and question complex evidence
• Objectivity for making unbiased decisions
• A keen sense of integrity and fairness
• Confidence in handling challenging conversations

• Experience of leadership
• Experience of teaching and/or administration in an education setting, preferably secondary education
• Experience of panel or committee work of a similar nature to appeal hearings

We particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups to ensure our committee reflects the diversity of the society we serve. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, sexual identity, cultural or social class. We believe that diversity of thought, background and approach create better outcomes. More importantly, fostering an inclusive culture is the right thing to do, and it's part of how we achieve our purpose: to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence. Ensuring that anyone, no matter who they are, feels they belong here is an essential part of who we are and the contribution we make to society, and to our planet.