Managing Returns

Owned by Natalie Hugo
Last updated: Nov 12, 2020 by Michael HughesVersion comment
4 min read

It is important that returns are carefully managed in the new system.  This can be done with a combination of suitable naming conventions and business processes.


 Contents...



A Return for Each Attempt

Within the Student Record System, a record is kept of each student's attempt at a class.

  • There may only be one attempt if it is a passing mark.
  • It may be that the student fails at the first attempt but passes at a subsequent resit (second attempt, third attempt, etc).

Each return sent to the student record system provides a mark for an attempt.

  • If only one mark is being returned for each student, only one class return should be sent.
  • Before the resit exam boards, a new return will need to be created to hold a second attempt mark for those students who have performed a resit.
  • The second return (or resit return) is extremely unlikely to contain marks for all students - it should only hold marks for those who are resitting.
  • Any return can be edited and the changes returned to the student record system as many times as is necessary before the exam board.



Manage Returns - naming conventions and checking for existing returns

Each return 'belongs' to the class - not to the person who created it.  So anyone who has permission to return marks for a class, can see all its returns and start new ones.

As set out in our Preparation for a Return article, it is vital that you check whether a return has been started for a class before starting a new one (see instructions below), otherwise you run the risk of accidentally returning additional marks for the students.  This is also why the naming convention discussed in Preparation for a Return is so important - so that every staff member who can see the return is clear which Board it relates to.

Frequently Asked

If I was to return 10 marks from a class of 30, then a month later return the other 20 marks, would the first batch of 10 marks be overwritten, or (wrongly) show a 2nd attempt?

The marks return system only returns a mark as a second attempt where there is already a different return with a mark for that student.

 More...

The recommended way to do this is:

  1. Create a single marks return in the system
  2. Add the 10 marks and send them to student records
  3. Later on, edit the same marks return and add the other 20 marks and send them to student records

When a return is edited and sent to student records, only the marks which have changed are transmitted so the original 10 marks will be unaffected.

See also Batched Returns

How to Check for an Existing Return

Step 1 - Go to the marks return system

Log-in to Myplace

Click on Marks return admin in the 'Electronic marks return' block on the left of the screen


Step 2 - Check whether a return has been started for the class

Check the marks return admin screen to see whether a return has already been started for the class.  You can do this by searching for the class code in the search boxes at the top.  You will also need to pay attention to the title of the return to check whether it is for a previous Exam Board or an upcoming Exam Board.


If a return for the Board has been started, there will be information showing who last worked on it and when.  This makes communication between colleagues easier and helps ensure that edits to existing returns are performed correctly.

If a return for the Board has been started, go to step 3.

If a return for the Board has not been started, go to step 4.



Step 3 - Edit the existing return

If a return for the Board has been started, under Actions, select Edit.



Step 4 - Create a new return

If a return has not been started, select the class code from the dropdown list, and click Add new.  Then give the return a name (see Naming Conventions in Preparation for a Return) and click Save.



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