Learner Sanctions Policy | The Teacher Trainer
The Teacher Trainer — teach, assess, quality assure
Home Courses Testimonials About Us Blog Corporate Help Contact Us
01908 736 777
Policies & Procedures Enrol NowBook a CallCourse Quiz
General policy Current version

Learner Sanctions Policy

The proportionate actions applied where a learner breaches TTT regulations.

Version

1.0

Effective date

01/10/2026

Next review

01/10/2027

Approved by

Phenil Mehta, Centre Manager

Applies to

All learners, Course Tutors, Course Assessors, IQAs, Centre Manager and associates

Throughout this document, The Teacher Trainer Ltd is referred to as TTT.

Short on time?

This policy in 60 seconds

  • Who it is for: learners, and staff deciding on sanctions.
  • Sanctions are proportionate. They range from feedback or a warning to supervised resubmission, suspension or exclusion.
  • Before any decision, you are told the concern in writing and can respond.
  • Fee and refund effects are explained in the outcome letter.
  • You can appeal in writing within 14 calendar days of the outcome.

The full policy below is the official version.

1. Purpose

This policy sets out the sanctions that TTT may apply where a learner breaches TTT regulations, Awarding Organisation requirements or the Learner Code of Conduct. It ensures that sanctions are proportionate, fair and consistent and that learners understand the consequences of serious breaches before they occur.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All learners enrolled on TTT qualifications or short courses
  • Breaches identified through assessment, IQA, complaints, safeguarding reports, conduct observations or Awarding Organisation feedback

Staff and associate sanctions are dealt with under the Staff Disciplinary and Sanctions Policy.

3. Definitions

The following terms carry the meanings given throughout this policy.

SanctionMeaningA proportionate action imposed on a learner where a breach is upheld following investigation under the relevant TTT policy.
BreachMeaningAny contravention of a TTT policy, Awarding Organisation rule or the Learner Code of Conduct.
ProportionalityMeaningThe principle that the sanction reflects the nature, severity, context and impact of the breach.
Aggravating FactorMeaningA feature of the breach that justifies a more serious sanction, such as repetition, planning, harm to others or impact on assessment integrity.
Mitigating FactorMeaningA feature that may justify a lighter sanction, such as genuine misunderstanding, prompt admission, remorse or significant personal circumstances.

4. Policy Statement

TTT is committed to the following principles and commitments.

  1. 1Sanctions are applied only where a breach has been investigated and upheld under the relevant policy, following natural justice.
  2. 2Every sanction is proportionate to the nature, severity and impact of the breach, informed by aggravating and mitigating factors.
  3. 3Sanctions are applied consistently across learners and cohorts, with records supporting that consistency.
  4. 4Learners have the right to appeal any sanction under the Appeals Policy.
  5. 5Sanctions are recorded on the learner's file and, where they affect certification, reported to the relevant Awarding Organisation under the Malpractice and Maladministration Policy.
  6. 6Where sanctions affect assessment outcomes, they are implemented in a way consistent with the Assessment Policy and IQA Policy.

5. Range of Sanctions

Sanctions TTT may apply include, but are not limited to, those in the table below. Multiple sanctions may apply to a single breach where the circumstances warrant it.

SanctionDescription
Written warningDescriptionA formal written notice explaining the breach, the expected change in behaviour and the consequences of further breach.
Final written warningDescriptionA formal notice issued where a previous warning has not led to improvement or where a single breach is serious.
Required training or coachingDescriptionThe learner completes specified training or one-to-one coaching, for example on referencing or conduct, as a condition of continued study.
Supervised resubmissionDescriptionThe learner resubmits affected assessment work under observation or within supervised conditions.
Disallowing evidenceDescriptionThe affected assessment evidence is set aside and cannot count toward the qualification.
Revocation of a grade or unit outcomeDescriptionA previously awarded grade or unit outcome is revoked and the claim withdrawn where it has not yet been certificated.
Restricted accessDescriptionThe learner is restricted from specific TTT channels or activities, such as the discussion forum, live sessions or peer-review activities.
Temporary suspensionDescriptionThe learner is suspended from the programme for a defined period pending further action or reflection. Fees and refund implications are explained in the outcome letter.
Permanent exclusionDescriptionThe learner is permanently removed from TTT provision and deregistered from the Awarding Organisation.
Reporting to the Awarding OrganisationDescriptionThe breach and sanction are reported to the Awarding Organisation, which may impose its own sanction, including certificate recall.
Reporting to the PoliceDescriptionWhere the breach may constitute a criminal offence (for example, contract cheating under the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022), TTT supports the complainant and reports to the Police.

6. Tariff Guidance

The following indicative tariff helps guide proportionate decisions. It is not exhaustive or binding; each case is decided on its merits.

Category of BreachTypical Sanction Range
Poor academic practice (first occurrence)Typical Sanction RangeDevelopmental feedback; tutorial; resubmission without penalty.
Minor conduct (first occurrence)Typical Sanction RangeInformal conversation; written warning.
Plagiarism (first, not systemic)Typical Sanction RangeAffected evidence disallowed; supervised resubmission; warning on file.
Repeated plagiarism or severe plagiarismTypical Sanction RangeRevocation of outcome; temporary suspension; final written warning; Awarding Organisation notified.
CollusionTypical Sanction RangeAffected evidence disallowed for all learners involved; written or final written warning; in serious cases, temporary suspension.
Contract cheating or ghost-writingTypical Sanction RangeEvidence disallowed; revocation of outcome; permanent exclusion; Awarding Organisation notified; potential Police referral.
AI misuse (undeclared)Typical Sanction RangeTreated as plagiarism and handled per the Artificial Intelligence Policy and the Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Policy.
Bullying, harassment or discriminatory conductTypical Sanction RangeWritten warning to permanent exclusion, depending on severity; in serious cases, Police referral.
Safeguarding-related breachTypical Sanction RangeConsidered alongside the Safeguarding and Prevent Duty Policy; may include immediate suspension while investigation is ongoing.
Examination malpracticeTypical Sanction RangeHandled under the Malpractice and Maladministration Policy and the Exam Invigilation Policy.

7. Aggravating and Mitigating Factors

Aggravating FactorsMitigating Factors
Pre-planning or deliberate concealmentMitigating FactorsBreach resulted from genuine misunderstanding or lack of guidance
Repeat breach after prior warningMitigating FactorsPrompt, unprompted admission
Harm or distress caused to othersMitigating FactorsSignificant personal circumstances, such as bereavement or illness
Impact on the integrity of assessment or certificationMitigating FactorsFirst-time minor breach with no impact on others
Involvement of or pressure on other learnersMitigating FactorsEvidence of remorse and willingness to put things right
Attempt to obstruct the investigationMitigating FactorsFull cooperation with the investigation

8. Process for Applying a Sanction

  1. 1The relevant investigation is carried out under the applicable policy, such as the Malpractice and Maladministration Policy or the Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy.
  2. 2Where a breach is upheld, the Centre Manager considers the nature and severity of the breach, any aggravating and mitigating factors and the tariff guidance.
  3. 3The Centre Manager selects a proportionate sanction and records the reasoning.
  4. 4The learner receives a written outcome setting out the breach upheld, the sanction imposed, the reasoning and the right to appeal.
  5. 5Where the sanction affects certification, the Centre Manager notifies the relevant Awarding Organisation within the timescale specified in the Malpractice and Maladministration Policy.
  6. 6The sanction is implemented. Where it includes suspension or exclusion, the learner is given clear written information about fees and refund consequences under the Fees, Refunds and Cancellation Policy.
  7. 7The sanction and supporting records are retained on the learner file.

9. Right to Appeal

A learner may appeal any sanction under the Appeals Policy. The appeal must be submitted in writing within 14 calendar days of the outcome. The implementation of the sanction may be paused during the appeal where appropriate and where doing so does not prejudice assessment integrity or the safety of others. Where the learner remains dissatisfied after TTT's internal appeal, they may escalate to the relevant Awarding Organisation, following that organisation's appeals route.

10. Records and Retention

TTT retains the following for a minimum of three years after the sanction is lifted or completed or longer where the Awarding Organisation requires it:

  • Investigation file and finding
  • Sanction letter and reasoning
  • Appeal submissions and outcomes
  • Awarding Organisation correspondence where applicable

Records are held securely in line with the Data Protection and GDPR Policy and the Data Retention and Disposal Policy.

11. Monitoring and Review

This policy is reviewed annually by the Centre Manager as part of TTT's self-evaluation process. Interim reviews are triggered by Ofqual or Awarding Organisation changes, patterns of breach or significant individual cases. Sanction data is reviewed quarterly to identify trends and inform prevention. All outcomes are recorded in the Version History at Section 13.

12. Related Policies

This policy should be read alongside:

13. Version History

VersionDateAuthorSummary of Changes
1.0Date02/10/2026AuthorPhenil MehtaSummary of ChangesA new standalone policy consolidating sanctions into a single learner-facing document, cross-referenced from Malpractice, Plagiarism, Anti-Bullying and other relevant policies. Staff sanctions sit in the Staff Disciplinary and Sanctions Policy.

14. Approval

This policy has been reviewed and approved by the Centre Manager of TTT.

Name

Phenil Mehta

Signature

P Mehta

Date

01/10/2026

© 2026 The Teacher Trainer Ltd

← All policies and procedures