NEPTUNE SCHOOL OF WINE

SCHOOL POLICIES

Neptune School of Wine is an Approved Program Provider of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) as well as the Wine Scholar Guild (WSG).  Neptune School of Wine also offers wine education courses geared to the professional or consumer that do not result in certifications.  All courses are open to the public but require pre-registration through the NeptuneWine.com website, and additional pre-requisites may be in place depending on the individual class or course.

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Enrollment Dates

Enrollment dates vary per course. For some courses, students may enroll up to the course’s start date, provided space is available, while other courses have registration deadlines. The course descriptions on each registration page indicate whether deadlines exist.

 

Entrance Requirements

Students intending to enroll in any of Neptune School of Wine’s programs must be 21 years of age by that course’s start date. Additional entrance requirements apply depending on the level of the program; these additional entrance requirements are listed under specific course descriptions.

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Attendance Policies

For all certification courses,  students are assessed and graded solely on the basis of their examinations, therefore attendance at individual classes is not required.  However, it is highly recommend that all students do their best to attend all classes as part of their course in order to be adequately prepared for and successful in their examinations.  Should a student need to miss an individual class they do so at their own discretion and are solely responsible for thoroughly reviewing any materials covered in their absence.  No class make-ups are offered or allowed for any of Neptune School of Wine classes, certification or otherwise.

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A leave of absence is to be granted only in extenuating circumstances, such as an accident, prolonged illness, maternity leave, or the death of a close relative. A Leave of Absence Request Form must be submitted no later than one week after the student last attended class. The school director will review the student’s request, possibly in person with the student requesting the leave. Not all leave requests will be granted. All leaves of absence must be requested in writing and approved in writing. If the student fails to return on the agreed upon date, the student will be dismissed and a refund calculation performed. Some courses and classes are too short to make a leave of absence practical.

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Non-Discrimination Policy

No person may be denied admission to, participation in, employment at, the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any service, program, course, or facility of the Neptune School of Wine because of the person's political affiliation, age, race, creed, religion, color, handicap (disability), marital status, parental status, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, pregnancy, arrest record, service in the armed forces, or genetic testing. As such, all Neptune School of Wine's services will be provided in a non-discriminatory manner and in a climate that is conducive to, and supportive of, cultural and ethnic diversity.

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Student Bill of Rights

Students have rights as members of Neptune School of Wine’s community. These include the right to:

• pursue free inquiry and expression;

• receive at the start of each course: the course specification and assessment criteria;

• expect a competent presentation of the course material;

• take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study. However, students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled;

• be evaluated solely on relevant criteria as described in the course outline and be protected from arbitrary or capricious academic evaluation; and

• file a formal complaint without fear of retribution if they believe their rights have been violated.

Neptune School of Wine is not responsible for any emails sent to the students that are not received.

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Complaint Procedure

Neptune School of Wine encourages an open and frank atmosphere in which any problem, complaint, suggestion, or question can be fairly and openly discussed.  Because students are assessed and graded solely on the basis of their examinations, appeals for feedback and/or re-grading must be made to the WSET, which is the examination authority, via the procedure outlined here. To assist students in resolving issues that are not grade-related, and to promote a positive environment for students, faculty, staff, and administration, Neptune School of Wine has established the following problem-solving procedure:

1. A student wishing to report a non-grade-related issue involving a faculty member, staff member or administrator should submit their complaint in writing to info@neptunewine.com.  The person with whom the student has an issue has the right to receive a copy of the complaint form and the right of rebuttal. Neptune School of Wine may request a written response to the complaint and/or hold a meeting to clarify the facts of the case.

2. Neptune School of Wine will do its best to resolve student complaints for academic and non-academic issues in a timely manner with the goal of settling a formal complaint in 30 days or less. On occasion, the process may take longer. Records of student complaints will be retained for two years. No student will be criticized or retaliated against for using this procedure in a cooperative manner.

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Reasonable Adjustments Policy

Neptune School of wine seeks to assess all candidates in a way that puts them at no disadvantage, or advantage, over other candidates.
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. Reasonable adjustments are approved by Neptune School of Wine and must be applied for and put in place before the assessment activity takes place; they constitute an arrangement to give the student access to the programming. The use of a reasonable adjustment is not taken into consideration during the assessment of a candidate’s work.
Reasonable adjustments must not give unfair advantage over candidates for whom reasonable adjustments are not being made, or affect the reliability and validity of the assessment outcomes as detailed in the applicable Specification.
Reasonable adjustments may involve:
• Changing standard assessment arrangements, for example allowing candidates extra time to complete the assessment activity;
• Adapting class materials, such as providing materials in large text format;
• Providing access facilitators during assessment, such as a sign language interpreter or reader;
• Re-organizing the assessment room, such as removal of visual stimuli for an autistic candidate.
For further information or to apply for a reasonable adjustment, please contact info@neptunewine.com.

Special Consideration Policy
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.
Special consideration will not give unfair advantage over candidates for whom special consideration is not being applied, or alter the assessment demands of the qualification as detailed in the applicable Specification.
A candidate may be eligible for special consideration if:
• Performance in an assessment 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 user of the certificate as to the candidate’s attainment.
Please note that WSET Awards does not offer aegrotat awards and that all assessment requirements of WSET qualifications must be met.

For more information or to apply for a Special consideration, please email info@neptunewine.com.

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Thank you for your understanding, if you have any questions, please email info@neptunewine.com.