Institute Formation Policies

Version 1.0 | Effective 18 July 2026

These policies govern the Institute of Ministry, the educational and formation body of Apostolic Old Catholic Mission NPC. They apply to applicants, learners, tutors, mentors, assessors, moderators, and programme administrators. They are read with the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

1. Purpose and scope

The Institute offers serious adult formation in the Western Rite tradition. Programme pages state the particular requirements and award. These policies provide the common framework for admission, learning, conduct, assessment, learner support, safeguarding, records, complaints, and appeals. Where a programme rule differs from this page, the programme rule applies only where it gives clear notice and remains consistent with law and these core protections.

2. Admission, participation, and support

Admission is based on the published programme requirements, available capacity, and a fair consideration of the information supplied. The Institute may ask for reasonable evidence of identity, prior learning, eligibility, or suitability. Applicants and learners must provide accurate information and promptly notify the Institute of a material change.

We will consider reasonable accessibility adjustments and learner-support needs confidentially and proportionately. A requested adjustment does not lower essential academic or safeguarding standards, but the Institute will seek a practical means for you to demonstrate the required learning. Programme participation may be deferred, paused, suspended, or withdrawn only for a documented and proportionate reason, with an opportunity to respond where reasonably possible.

3. Learning community and conduct

You are expected to participate honestly, courteously, and with regard for the dignity, conscience, privacy, and safety of others. Bullying, harassment, discrimination, threats, exploitation, retaliation, unauthorised disclosure of another person’s information, or behaviour that creates a safeguarding risk is not acceptable. We distinguish principled theological disagreement from conduct that demeans or endangers another person.

Concerns will be handled fairly, confidentially as far as possible, and in a manner proportionate to their seriousness. Urgent safeguarding, legal, or safety concerns may require immediate protective action and referral to the appropriate authority.

4. Assessment and academic integrity

Assessment must show your own understanding, interpretation, and application. You must acknowledge sources accurately and follow the task instructions. Plagiarism, contract cheating, impersonation, falsification, unauthorised collaboration, and presenting another person’s or tool-generated work as your own are academic misconduct.

Artificial-intelligence tools may be used only where the assessment permits them. You must disclose any permitted use in the manner stated by the task. Before deciding a concern, the Institute will consider the evidence, your explanation, the assessment instructions, prior conduct, and any relevant adjustment. Outcomes may include guidance, a resubmission, a mark penalty, a failed assessment, suspension, or withdrawal in serious cases. A decision and reasons will be given in writing.

5. Progression, extensions, and withdrawal

You should submit work by the published deadline. If illness, disability, bereavement, caring responsibility, emergency, or another serious circumstance affects your work, contact the Institute as early as possible. We may grant a reasonable extension, adjustment, deferral, or alternative arrangement where evidence and the academic requirements permit it. You may withdraw from a programme by writing to the Institute; fees and refunds are considered under the published programme terms and mandatory law.

6. Awards and records

An award is issued only after all published requirements are met. The Institute retains application, participation, assessment, moderation, complaints, and award records under the Privacy Policy. A minimum award-verification record may be retained indefinitely. An award may be corrected or reviewed where there is a clerical error, fraud, material misrepresentation, or serious academic misconduct; the person affected will receive written reasons and a fair opportunity to respond.

7. Complaints and appeals

Please first raise an ordinary concern with the person or team closest to the matter, where it is safe and appropriate. If it is not resolved, submit a written formal complaint to admin@apostolicoldcatholic.org within 20 working days of the event or decision, stating the facts, desired outcome, and supporting material. We will acknowledge it within five working days and normally issue a reasoned outcome within 20 working days. If more time is needed, we will explain why.

You may appeal an academic, admission, disciplinary, or complaint decision within 10 working days where there was a material procedural error, relevant new evidence, a disproportionate outcome, or a reasonable concern of bias. An appeal will be considered by a person not involved in the original decision where this can reasonably be arranged. Safeguarding, emergency, regulatory, or police action is not delayed by an internal complaint or appeal.

8. Review and contact

The Institute will review these policies at least annually and when law, safeguarding practice, programme design, or learner needs materially change. Questions may be sent to admin@apostolicoldcatholic.org.