Purpose and scope

Grande Passione is a WSET Approved Programme Provider (APP no. 3119) and organises its courses at Atelier del Vino in Verona.

This policy explains how to request special consideration when exceptional circumstances affect a student’s attendance or performance at an exam.

What is special consideration?

Special consideration is a measure assessed by WSET after an exam for a student who experienced temporary illness, injury or another event beyond their control immediately before or during the exam, with a significant impact on their assessment.

It may apply to an individual candidate or a group, for example following a serious disruption to an exam.

The measure must not give an unfair advantage or change the competencies required by the qualification. It does not automatically result in a pass.

When can it be requested?

Circumstances that may be considered include:

• Temporary illness, injury or bereavement affecting exam performance.
• Exam-room conditions or external events disrupting the assessment.
• Reasonable adjustments agreed in advance that proved inadequate.

The student must have covered the whole course and would have been adequately prepared for the exam had the exceptional circumstances not occurred.

Special consideration does not apply to inadequate preparation or disruption to a student’s education. It does not cover absence due to personal arrangements, such as holidays, medical appointments or unauthorised absence.

How to apply

Contact JC Viens at contact@grandepassione.com as soon as possible, including on the exam day itself. If the problem occurs during the exam, notify the invigilator immediately.

Grande Passione will provide the necessary guidance and application form. We must receive the completed application and supporting documentation within 3 working days after the affected exam date.

We will ask for:

• Your full name and contact details.
• The qualification and exam date.
• A description of what happened and its effect on the exam.
• Independent supporting documentation relevant to the circumstances.

Before sending medical documents or other sensitive information, contact us to agree how to submit them.

If you anticipate difficulty meeting the deadline, tell us immediately. We cannot guarantee that late applications will be accepted.

Assessment and submission to WSET

Grande Passione will review the documentation and submit the application to WSET within its deadline: 7 working days after the exam date.

If a serious disruption affects several candidates, Grande Passione will prepare a report describing the circumstances and identifying the students affected.

WSET determines whether the application is eligible and what measures, if any, will apply. Grande Passione cannot guarantee approval and will communicate WSET’s decision to the student.

For clarification or to challenge a decision, contact JC Viens. We will explain the relevant procedure with WSET’s Exams team.

Data protection

The information received will be used to manage the application and shared with WSET as necessary for its assessment. Grande Passione will keep a record of applications, limiting access to those involved in the process, in accordance with the respective privacy notices of Grande Passione and WSET.

Responsibility and review

Policy owner: JC Viens, Grande Passione — WSET APP no. 3119.
Version: 1.0 — September 2026.

This policy is reviewed annually and updated when WSET requirements or Grande Passione’s operating arrangements change.