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Course Policy

Diversity & Equality

 

At Wine Studio, we respect and value Diversity and Equality as key elements of our courses. It is part of our nature to ensure equality of opportunity by promoting open access to qualifications (whilst complying with the minimum age for the consumption of alcohol as well as assessment competence standards) as well as ensuring that both the format and content of all specifications, examinations and other materials do not unlawfully discriminate against anyone.

 

If you feel that you have encounter an unfairly event by any member of Wine Studio, please do inform us at your earliest through email at winestudiohk@gmail.com

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Conflict of Interest

 

As an Approved Programme Provider (APP) of WSET, Wine Studio is required to identify to WSET and assist in the managing or monitoring of 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 Wine Studio processes and procedures.

 

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

 

A Conflict of Interest exists where an individual has interests or loyalties that could adversely influence their judgement, objectivity, or loyalty to WSET or Wine Studio 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 a family member of one of Wine Studio’s educators or APP staff takes a qualification and exam through Wine Studio, or when an employee of Wine Studio, or of the WSET, takes a WSET qualification through Wine Studio, Wine Studio must notify WSET in advance and then work with WSET 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 can overcome the conflict created 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 Wine Studio who becomes aware of a Conflict of Interest must inform Wine Studio Team via winestudiohk@gmail.com as soon as possible. Wine Studio Team 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 Wine Studio decide that the conflict is not manageable, Wine Studio Team 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 Wine Studio because it is required to report such conflicts to WSET.

 

Please note that the failure to declare a conflict of interest may have consequences for the student or Wine Studio because it is required to report such conflicts to WSET.


Reasonable Adjustments
 

Both WSET and Wine Studio 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 Wine Studio to work with each student before an assessment, gather the information needed to submit a request to WSET, and work with WSET to make arrangements that give students equitable 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. The use of a reasonable adjustment does not impact WSET’s marking or the result of the candidate’s exam. The goal of reasonable adjustments is to equalise access for candidates – they must not give unfair advantage to candidates receiving the adjustment or affect the reliability and validity of the assessment outcomes as detailed in the applicable Specification. WSET cannot agree to reasonable adjustments where the candidate’s particular difficulty directly affects performance necessary to complete the assessment outcomes

 

Examples of reasonable adjustments include:

  • 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

  • Reorganising the assessment room, such as removal of visual stimuli for an autistic candidate

 

Wine Studio will gather the information needed from students 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, Wine Studio 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, Wine Studio 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 Wine Studio Team via winestudiohk@gmail.com with:

  • Full name

  • Contact information

  • Description of the special need, disability, or differing ability that requires an adjustment

  • Supporting documentation

 

Students must submit this information at least 45 days before the exam date.

The information students submit will be shared with WSET and will be handled under WSET’s Privacy and Data Protection Policy.

 

Wine Studio will keep records of all reasonable adjustment applications

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