Our work
EAB cases
Number of appeals
In 2007, the EAB heard six appeals on 2006 examinations: five on GCE and one on GCSE examinations. This represented a decrease in the volume of appeals from 14 in 2006. Seven further applications to appeal, (five of which related to 2007 examinations) were received. In three cases, the chairman did not accept the application as it fell outside the scope of the EAB's remit. In three of the cases, the applications could not be accepted, as they had not been submitted by the centres in question. In the remaining case, the centre withdrew its application.
This year, the EAB held an appeal hearing in Northern Ireland. Although the majority of appeals come from English schools, the remit of the EAB extends to Wales and Northern Ireland.
Invitations to observe appeals are sent to the relevant qualifications' regulators and to the relevant education department. In addition, dates of forthcoming appeals are published or1 the EAB website and members of the public are welcome to observe the hearings.
Timescales
The EAB's remit requires it to hold hearings within two months of receipt of an application. In 2007, all cases were heard within two months. In all cases, the detailed final decision letter was issued within 15 working days of the hearing. From the receipt of the appeal application, the average time taken to complete an appeal was 58 days.
The EAB was able to complete all hearings for 2006 examinations by the beginning of July 2007.
Outcomes of appeals
Of the 6 cases heard in 2007, 2 were allowed and 4 were not allowed.
| GCE | GCSE | |
| Appeals allowed | 2 | 0 |
| Appeals not allowed | ;3 | 1 |
A list of cases is provided in Appendix 2. Summaries of closed cases are available on the EAB website or from the office.
Meetings of the board with interested parties
Each year the EAB offers to meet with representatives of the teachers' associations to discuss issues arising from EAB cases. The EAB values its contact with teachers' representatives and hopes that through it a better understanding of the EAB's work is disseminated to teachers. This year, as there were no particular issues that the teachers' associations wished to raise, the meeting was not held.
In April and September 2007, the EAB met the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), through which the awarding bodies coordinate their work. As usual, at both meetings the EAB discussed issues arising from EAB cases.
The EAB's regular contacts with the regulatory authorities and the DCSF continue to be helpful and productive and are seen to be increasingly important, given the extensive changes that are taking place in the examination system.
The board has been pleased to be able to work with the Examination Officers' Association in 2007 and was able to send a representative to each of the Association's regional conferences.