POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Please find below our policies and procedures when booking WSET with The Tasting Class. Some good things to highlight up front.

The Tasting Class’ WSET Cancellation Policy Full Payment must be made at the time of booking.
The Tasting Class does not accept provisional bookings and places will only be confirmed once payment is received.
Please note that the standard cut-off for registration is 15 days prior to the course start date. For bookings confirmed after the published close of registration date a late registration fee of 200 AED per person applies.
Refunds will be processed within 14 days of receiving your request via bank transfer to the original payer.
Please read our cancellation policies regarding transferring, cancellations, or refunds.
If the candidate fails to attend the course no refund will apply.
Candidates must request a cancellation, refund or transfer in writing by sending an email to: cheers@TheTastingClass.com 15 days before the course is due to run.
Courier postage is included in the price for books and certificates being sent within the UAE. Additional charges to apply if a book or certificate is to be sent outside of the United Arab Emirates. Please note courier fees are non refundable and will be deducted from any refunds that are issues.
For any refunds issued, the cost of the course booklet will be deducted along with the courier fee and administration fee of 200 AED

Terms & Conditions

All bookings, cancellations and reschedules must be received in writing. Your booking is not secure until payment is received – all courses must be paid for in advance.
All vouchers need to be used as specified on the voucher and the booking must be made within the validity of the voucher.
All bookings and gift vouchers are non-refundable. However, the booking can be changed to another course or person.
You may choose to change the voucher towards another course of greater value and we will charge you the difference in price.
No date changes are allowed less than 2 weeks prior to the course date. However, you are welcome to transfer your place to another person with at least 3 days’ prior notice.
If for any reason you are unable to attend and the cancellation is made within 2 weeks before the course, you can attend the future course on standby.
If you fail to attend any course, no refund will apply.
We reserve the right to cancel any course. A full refund will apply if you cannot make the new date.
The Tasting Class is not liable for any loss or damage incurred as a result of attending course or event.

WSET Cancellation Policy with The Tasting Class

WSET Level 1 Cancellation Policy:

If the candidate notifies The Tasting Class by email that they wish to cancel the course not less than 16 days before the start date, the candidate will be entitled to a 70% refund.
Refunds will be processed within 14 days of receiving your request via bank transfer to the original payer.
There is no charge for transferring your booking to the same course on an alternative date provided you notify The Tasting Class in writing not less than 16 days before the start of your current course booking.
If the candidate notifies The Tasting Class less than 16 days before the start of your current course a transfer fee of 30% of the course fee will be charged.
Candidates are not allowed to transfer between courses 7 days before the course start date. If the candidate fails to attend any course no refund will apply.
Candidates must request a cancellation, refund or transfer in writing by sending an email to cheers@thetastingclass.com
Cost of study material is non-refundable. Cost of the courier is non-refundable.
Administration fee will apply. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 we ask for a copy of the test results to be emailed to cheers@thetastingclass.com so we can assist in removing you off the registered exam. If you have been successfully removed a fee of 200 AED will apply to join another course.

WSET Level 2 Cancellation Policy:

If the candidate notifies The Tasting Class by email that they wish to cancel the course not less than 17 days before the start date, the candidate will be entitled to a 80% refund. Refunds will be processed within 14 days of receiving your request via bank transfer to the original payer.
There is no charge for transferring your booking to the same course on an alternative date provided you notify The Tasting Class in writing not less than 17 days before the start of your current course booking.
If the candidate notifies The Tasting Class less than 16 days before the start of your current course a transfer fee of 30% of the course fee will be charged.
Candidates are not allowed to transfer between courses 16 days before the course start date. If the candidate fails to attend any course no refund will apply.
Candidates must request a cancellation, refund or transfer in writing by sending an email to cheers@thetastingclass.com.
Cost of study material is non-refundable. Cost of the courier is non-refundable.
Administration fee will apply. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 we ask for a copy of the test results to be emailed to cheers@thetastingclass.com so we can assist in removing you off the registered exam. If you have been successfully removed a fee of 200 AED will apply to join another course.

WSET Level 3 Cancellation Policy:

If the candidate notifies The Tasting Class by email that they wish to cancel the course not less than 17 days before the start date, the candidate will be entitled to a 85% refund. Refunds will be processed within 14 days of receiving your request via bank transfer to the original payer.
There is no charge for transferring your booking to the same course on an alternative date provided you notify The Tasting Class in writing not less than 17 days before the start of your current course booking.
Candidates are not allowed to transfer between courses 16 days before the course start date. If the candidate fails to attend any course no refund will apply.
Candidates must request a cancellation, refund or transfer in writing by sending an email to cheers@thetastingclass.com.
Cost of study material is non-refundable. Cost of the courier is non-refundable.
Administration fee will apply. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 we ask for a copy of the test results to be emailed to cheers@thetastingclass.com so we can assist in removing you off the registered exam. If you have been successfully removed a fee of 200 AED will apply to join another course.

Exams and Re-Sits:

Candidates may only sit the exam with The Tasting Class, upon successful completion of the course.
Re sits for exam for courses completed with external providers will be permitted upon approval. Email confirmation from the external course provider will be required to confirm successful completion.
If the candidate notifies The Tasting Class by email that they wish to cancel the exam or re sit not less than 16 days before the start date, the candidate will be entitled to a 80% refund. Refunds will be processed within 14 days of receiving your request via bank transfer to the original payer.
Cancellation less than 15 days will not be permitted a refund.
Candidates must request a cancellation, refund or transfer in writing by sending an email to cheers@thetastingclass.com
Cost of study material is non-refundable. Cost of the courier is non-refundable.

Complaints

Complaints against any action or practice which threatens the integrity of our courses, either APP centre staff or representative or student should in the first instance be discussed with APP centre contact. The APP undertakes to investigate all complaints in a thorough and professional manner. This includes, but is not limited to:

Notifying the complainant that their complaint will be investigated by a named individual within a given timescale
Informing the complainant of the outcome of the investigation in writing
Informing the complainant of the appropriate escalation of the complaint if the initial outcome is still unsatisfactory.

An outline of the problem and the main points should be documented and dated. If the problem is not resolved at this stage the candidate should con- tact a higher authority in the college or the WSET.

Examples of complaints would be:

Dis-satisfaction with teaching, facilities or administration of WSET courses
Allegations of discrimination or unfair treatment
Falsifying results, assisting candidates with answers
Allowing unauthorised material into the exam room e.g. phones, notes etc
Allowing candidates to copy from each other.
Disruptive behaviours e.g. talking during the exam

Complaints against the awarding body

Complaints against the Wine and Spirit Education Trust should, in the first instance, be discussed with the centre contact as above and documented evidence will then be forwarded to The Wine and Spirit Education Trust who have their own complaints policy.

Candidates who are unhappy with their exam results can appeal via the centre contact. The way in which the Wine and Spirit Education Trust will investigate the charges are on the website: www.wsetglobal.com.

Equal Opportunities

This APP fully supports the principles of Equal Opportunities. We strive to ensure that all candidates for our qualifications are treated fairly and on an equal basis.

Equal Opportunities are assured by:

the selection, recruitment and training of those working for this APP;
consideration at an early stage in the development of new schemes or qualifications;
ensuring that the format and content of all syllabi, examinations and other do not discriminate against anyone which is the responsibility of WSET Awards by whom we are approved to teach WSET qualifications;
ensuring there are no barriers to entry to units and qualifications, which we deliver and/or offer, for disabled people, women or men, or people from different racial groups, other than those directly related to the integrity of the units or qualifications. The nature of any barriers will be stated and the inclusion of the requirements that create the barrier justified only and explicitly in terms of the integrity of the unit or the qualification. De- tails of how the effect of any barriers will be mitigated will be recorded, including using access arrangements or including reasonable adjustments.
clarifying the responsibility of all members of staff and/or consultants, who are involved in the delivery of WSET courses within this APP, to comply with this policy. In particular external parties invited by this APP to con- tribute to these development arrangements must also, as representatives of relevant learners, ensure that the views of learners and others are taken into account in the development of QCF units and qualifications.
anonymous assessment of examination candidates wherever possible;
promoting practices and procedures that give equal opportunities to everyone;
being required to have equal opportunity policies in place;
the variation of any conventional rules and regulations for the conduct of examinations which might inhibit the performance of candidates with specific needs, provided that the standard, quality and integrity of the assessment is not compromised.
working as appropriate with relevant organisations and agencies to develop measures to identify and prevent inequality of opportunity;
making every effort to ensure that there is equality of opportunity in its assessment process, regardless of the candidate’s gender, age, racial origin, religious persuasion, sexual orientation or disability;
ensuring, to the best of our ability, that any documentation produced does not contain language or images which may be regarded as offensive or stereotypical, and that they reflect the diversity of contemporary society;

This APP is an equal opportunities organisation and will consider applications from any organisation or individual who can demonstrate that they meet our approval criteria. This policy is published on our website or Candidate Booking Form and will be provided to any student on demand.

Monitoring

This APP will comply with all current and relevant legislation and this policy will be monitored and reviewed annually. At the time of writing relevant legislation includes, but is not limited to:

Dubai Government Human Resources Management Law No. (27) 2006

As part of the monitoring of candidates registering for a WSET® qualification we will collect information on diversity, requests for special consideration, access arrangements and feedback from learners, centres and other stakeholders.

All relevant issues identified as suggesting our provision or services have unnecessary impact on learners will be reported back to the Centre Registration and Quality Assurance Manager who will be responsible for leading on introducing amendments to provision and/or services where necessary and in accordance with our documented procedures for developing and reviewing units and qualifications. Details of the outcomes of each review will be made available to the qualification regulators upon request.

Candidates who believe they have been discriminated against should contact cheers@thetastingclass.com in the first instance for advice.

Conflicts of Interest

This APP is approved by WSET Awards which is subject to regulation by the UK Government’s regulator, OfQual. As a regulated awarding organisation, we are required to identify, monitor and manage all conflicts of interest which may have an adverse effect on the qualifications we offer and we must take all reasonable steps to mitigate such adverse effect where it exists.

This document offers guidance to individuals engaged in activities undertaken on behalf of WSET Awards (the awarding organisation of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust) which have potential to lead them to act contrary to the in- terests of WSET Awards in the development, delivery, assessment and award of its regulated qualifications.

It defines what is meant by conflict of interest, describes such conflicts of in- terest in the context of working with WSET Awards, identifies those conflicts of interest that can be managed and are therefore acceptable and those that cannot be managed and are therefore unacceptable. It also gives examples of potential conflicts of interest.

Scope of this policy

This policy is applicable to all members of staff employed by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and to any individual acting on behalf of WSET Awards. This includes those involved in the development of WSET qualifications, question- setting, marking of assessments, delivery of WSET programmes of study leading to WSET qualifications, marketing of WSET qualifications, production of study materials, examination papers, qualification certificates and all other associated resources and services.

It relates to WSET regulated qualifications offered in the United Kingdom and international markets.

Definition of conflict of interest

A conflict of interest exists where an individual has interests or loyalties that could adversely influence their judgement, objectivity or loyalty to WSET Awards when conducting activities associated with our qualifications. These can arise in many different aspects of awarding organisation activity, such as:

An individual whose personal interests or loyalties conflict with their awarding organisation involvement.
An individual who receives remuneration for services that conflict with their awarding organisation involvement.
An individual whose acts put WSET Awards in a position of non-compliance with its regulatory responsibilities.

Whilst it would be impossible to give a definitive list of scenarios representing potential conflicts of interest, the following have been identified from WSET Awards’ Risk Management review as significant. However, other scenarios will constitute conflicts of interest, and we will take actions to redress any such instances that come to our attention other than by declaration from the individual concerned. Such actions may also include the imposition of sanctions, if deemed appropriate.

Specific examples of conflicts of interest include the following:

The undertaking of any 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 any 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 tutoring of candidates by any individual involved in the assessment process.
The undertaking of a WSET-regulated qualification by any individual employed by an APP.
The undertaking of a WSET-regulated qualification by any individual employed by WSET Awards.
The invigilation of a WSET-regulated qualification by any individual involved in the delivery of training leading to the assessment.
The delivery of “coaching sessions” to examination candidates by any individual involved in the assessment of candidate scripts or the authoring of examination questions.
The employment by an APP of individuals engaged in the delivery of taught programmes or in the role of Internal Assessor in another APP.

Some of these examples can be managed and are therefore acceptable. For example, the marking of tasting assessments by Level 3 Internal Assessors is ALWAYS verified by WSET Awards as they have an interest in the results of the assessments of learners they have taught. Our verification process mitigates this conflict of interest. Similarly, where an employee of the WSET or one of its APPs undertakes a WSET qualification, we can put measures in place to maintain the integrity of the assessment, PROVIDED we are notified of this conflict of interest in advance of the assessment. However, it would be inappropriate for any individual involved in the authoring of examination questions or the compilation of examination papers to teach or coach learners un- der any circumstances as there are no options for us to mitigate the effect of this clear conflict of interest.

Guidance on handling conflicts of interest

Any individual engaged with WSET Awards in the provision of our regulated qualifications, as identified under the scope of this policy, is required to make a “Declaration of Interest” by informing WSET Awards of any potential conflict of interest. Certain individuals, such as those involved in the assessment process are also required to submit a signed declaration of “Non-disclosure”. It is essential that any conflict of interest is declared to WSET Awards immediately to ensure this does not compromise our status of compliance with our regulator, Ofqual. Any APP who fails to declare a potential conflict of interest is in breach of our criteria for approval, and sanctions may be applied to their approval status as a result.

WSET Awards has processes and procedures in place to manage actual or perceived conflicts of interest. These include the exclusive involvement of WSET Awards staff in the creation of all assessment materials, moderation of all internal assessment conducted by APPs and moderation of all written ex- aminations not marked by optical mark readers. There are of course many other instances of conflict of interest for which we do not have documented procedures in place. Such instances will be handled on an individual basis to ensure that the integrity of our assessments is not compromised.

Roles, responsibilities and procedures in the handling of actual or perceived conflicts of interest

The Director of WSET Awards and the Centres Co-ordination and Quality Assurance Manager have responsibility for the day-to-day managing of conflicts of interest relating to functions of WSET Awards. The members of the Senior Management Team of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust have responsibility for the day-to-day managing of conflicts of interest relating to functions of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust’s functions as a whole.

It is the responsibility of all individuals engaged in the provision of WSET qualifications to promptly report any potential for conflict of interest to the Centres Co-ordination and Quality Assurance Manager at WSET Awards.

All instances of conflict of interest will be recorded in WSET Awards Incidents Register, including details of steps taken to mitigate any adverse effect resulting from such conflict of interest. The Director of WSET Awards is responsible for determining what action needs to be taken to mitigate any adverse effect and for deciding when and how matters relating to actual or potential conflicts of interest should be escalated within the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, to the Board of Trustees or to the Regulator, Ofqual.

Candidates requiring Reasonable Adjustment

A reasonable adjustment is any action that helps to reduce the effect of a disability or difficulty that places the candidate at a substantial disadvantage in the assessment situation.

This APP seeks to conduct the assessment of all candidates in a way that puts them at no disadvantage, or advantage, over other candidates. However, whilst Reasonable adjustments must not affect the integrity of what needs to be assessed, but may involve:

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
The WSET® courses will be provided at Media One Hotel, Media City, Dubai. Across the Financial Centre Metro Station. These facilities are easily accessible from the road and have access to any floor by lift and stairs.
Re-organising the assessment room, such as removal of visual stimuli for an autistic candidate.

Reasonable adjustments are approved or set in place before the assessment activity takes place; they constitute an arrangement to give the candidate ac- cess to the qualification. The use of reasonable adjustment will not be taken into consideration during the assessment of a candidate’s work. Out of fair- ness to all candidates, evidence of the individual circumstances giving rise to the request must be produced.

This APP will:

identify any special assessment needs at the time of candidate registration. - inform WSET® Awards at the earliest opportunity so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
agree the specific arrangements for the examination, or for marking with WSET® Awards, which will vary according to individual circumstances.

WSET® Awards reserves the right to seek the advice of independent agencies as appropriate in coming to a decision on specific arrangements and must agree before any reasonable adjustments are offered by this APP to its students.

Please submit any Requests for Reasonable Adjustments at least 5 weeks before the date of the examination. This APP will forward any Requests for Reasonable Adjustments to WSET® Awards within 5 working days of receipt and WSET® Awards will respond after 4 working weeks after giving the re- quest due consideration.

Candidates and their advisors should also be aware:

that it is not appropriate to make requests for special arrangements where the candidate’s particular difficulty directly affects performance in the actual attributes that are the focus of the assessment.
reasonable adjustments will not give unfair advantage over candidates for whom reasonable adjustments are not being made, or alter the assessment demands of the qualification as detailed in the qualification specification.

Candidates requiring special consideration

Special consideration is an action taken after an assessment to allow candidates who have been disadvantaged by temporary illness, injury, indisposition or adverse circumstances at the time of the assessment to demonstrate attainment.

A candidate may be eligible for special considerations if:

Performance in an examination is affected by circumstances beyond the control of the candidate. This may include recent personal illness, accident, bereavement or examination room conditions;
alternative assessment arrangements which were agreed in advance of the assessment proved inappropriate or inadequate;
the application of special consideration would not mislead the end-user of the certificate.

WSET® Awards must be notified in writing within seven days of the examination date where special consideration is being requested using the Request for Special Consideration Form Eligibility will only be considered if accompanied by supporting independent documentation, and please allow extra time for this APP to pass your request to WSET® Awards.

Where a candidate is unable to attend an examination due to recent personal illness, accident or bereavement, the APP will endeavour to transfer the candidate to an alternative examination date at no extra cost.

In cases of serious disruption during the examination, the Examinations Officer of this APP must submit a detailed report of the circumstances and candidates affected to the Examinations Administrator at WSET® Awards, in addition to the Examination Papers.

It should be noted that WSET® Awards does not offer aegrotat awards and that all assessment requirements of WSET® qualifications must be met. It is also our policy that special considerations will not give unfair advantage over candidates for whom special considerations are not being applied, or alter the assessment demands of the qualification as detailed in the qualification specification.

If a candidate is unable to attend an examination for which they have been registered due to circumstances outside their direct control, they should notify this APP as soon as possible, and complete the “Request for Special Consideration” form submitting written 3rd party evidence to support their application. Failure to attend due to work commitments does not qualify for “special consideration”. This APP will not charge an unused paper fee for applications where approval from WSET® Awards is granted.