Sections 9 and 10 of the JCQ document provide details of the relevant timescales for appeals A guide to appeals processes, Summer 2021 series.
The suggested timescales for learners to request centre reviews are 16 August 2021 for priority cases and 3 September 2021 for non-priority cases. Centres may set their own internal deadlines for centre reviews and submitting appeals, but should allow requests that are submitted by the JCQ deadlines for appeals to awarding organisations.
Priority appeals must be submitted to the awarding organisation by 23 August 2021. Non-priority appeals must be submitted by 17 September 2021. Centres may choose to set their own earlier internal deadlines, but should allow requests from learners that are received within the JCQ deadline for appeals to awarding organisations.
Priority appeals that aren’t submitted to the awarding organisation by 23 August 2021 will still be treated as a priority but they may not be completed in time for those with a higher education place that is dependent on the outcome of the appeal.
A priority appeal is only for learners applying to higher education who did not attain their firm choice (i.e. the offer they accepted as their first choice) and wish to appeal a Level 3 qualification result, or where a student has an apprenticeship place pending the outcome of an appeal for a level 3 qualification.
Where learners make requests to centres after the JCQ deadlines for appeals to awarding organisations, centres should determine whether there have been exceptional circumstances that warrant accepting the request. If requests are then submitted to awarding organisations, the awarding organisation will consider whether they can accept the appeal and process it.