The short answer
Marking applies the memorandum; moderation checks that marking was applied consistently. If a mark looks wrong, ask the teacher in Canvas first, with the specific question and the specific answer — not the overall mark.
Sooner or later a mark will come back that does not match what you watched your child do. Most of the time there is an explanation. Occasionally there is an error. Both are worth resolving, and how you ask determines how quickly it happens.
Marking and moderation are different things
Marking applies a memorandum to a piece of work: this answer earns these marks, for these reasons.
Moderation checks the marking — a sample is re-examined to confirm the standard was applied consistently across learners and against the required level. Moderation is a quality check on the marker, not a second opinion on your child.
This is why “can it be moderated?” is usually not the question you want. What you want first is to understand the mark.
Before you query anything
Read the marked work with the memorandum or marking guidance next to it. Four things account for most surprises:
- The question asked for something other than what was answered. “Explain” and “list” earn different marks. A correct answer to a different question earns none.
- Method marks were not shown. In mathematics and the sciences a correct final answer with no working can score less than a wrong answer with sound method.
- The rubric was weighted differently from expectations. Content is often a smaller share of an essay mark than parents assume.
- A page or file did not submit. Check what was actually received before assuming it was marked harshly.
How to ask so it gets resolved
Go to the teacher, in Canvas, because that is where the work lives and that is who can see it.
Be specific. “Question 4b was marked 0. The memorandum awards a mark for identifying the variable, which I think is on line two of the answer. Could you look again?” gets a real answer. “This mark seems low” invites a defence of the mark rather than a review of the work.
Ask about the question, not the total. A total is the sum of decisions; only the decisions can be re-examined.
If it is not resolved
If the teacher’s explanation does not account for the mark, ask what the next step is — there is a process, and asking for it is entirely reasonable. Escalate through the school rather than around it, and keep the correspondence.
For a final external examination the process is different again: formal remarks and appeals are handled by the examining body, have their own deadlines and usually a fee. If it comes to that, ask the school immediately — those windows are short.
The thing worth remembering
A mark that is genuinely too low is worth correcting. A mark that is accurate and disappointing is worth something more useful: it is the clearest information you will get about where your child actually is, and it is exactly what placement and support decisions are made from. Both are better than a mark quietly inflated to keep the peace.
See also what a parent is responsible for during the assessment year.
This article explains how marking and moderation works in general. It was written in August 2026 and is reviewed every six months. For the current position — dates, fees, availability and anything specific to your child — see assessments, or ask in the forums and a member of the team will confirm.