Protocols for Examination Candidates who are Relatives of Members of Staff

A 'relative' for the purpose of these procedures includes any person who is or has been a member of the immediate family of a staff member, any person in relation to whom a staff member is or has been in loco parentis, any lineal relation of a staff member, and any other person who, in the opinion of the Senior Lecturer, is so closely related to a staff member as to justify the application of these procedures. It is the duty of members of staff to inform their Director of Teaching and Learning (Undergraduate) and Course Co-Ordinator as appropriate of any relationship with a student that might compromise their position as an examiner. The Senior Lecturer may require the following procedures to be observed in any other case where an examiner is closely associated with an examinee.

Where there is any doubt about the application or interpretation of these procedures, the matter should be referred to the Senior Lecturer for determination

Setting and marking of examination questions

A member of staff may set an examination in which his or her relative is a candidate, but may not mark or otherwise assess his or her relative's performance in the examination. Arrangements should be made for an alternative examiner to assess the relative's performance against set standards. Where possible, the alternative examiner should have sight of a significant number of marked scripts for other candidates.

This stipulation extends also to tests and assessments, including essays and other assignments submitted for assessment where the marks awarded count towards the end-of-year result for a student.

In the case of a degree examination, any examination script or other exercise which contributes to the final grade of a candidate who is a relative of the normal examiner should be included among those referred to the external examiner.

Attendance at examiners' meetings

An examiner should not be present at an examiners' meeting while the performance of any class that includes his or her relative is being considered. In such cases, the examiner should communicate to the Chair in advance of the meeting any special considerations relating to the performance of examinees other than his or her relative. The examiner should also remain available to the meeting to be called, if necessary, to comment upon the performance of any examinee other than his or her relative.