We at SQA recognise that it has been a hugely challenging time for everyone undertaking National Qualifications this year. With national exams being cancelled and learning being disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the National Qualifications 2021 Group*, which includes SQA along with other education organisations, created a different way to award National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results.
Throughout the challenges of the past year, the whole of Scotland’s education and training system has been working together to ensure learners studying at every level receive the results they deserve. SQA is continuing to work closely with its partners from across Scotland’s education and training sector through the National Qualifications 2021 Group* and the Higher National and Vocational Qualifications (HNVQ) 2021 Group**, and we are committed to supporting employers and training providers in their assessment of this year’s candidates.…
14 April 2021 As your child returns from their Easter break, the National Qualifications 2021 Group* appreciates that you may have questions and will be looking to your child’s school, college or training provider for guidance and support. Following the cancellation of exams by the Scottish Government, an Alternative Certification Model, the way results will be decided this year, has been created by the National Qualifications 2021 Group* which includes professionals from across the education system, as well as a…
14 April 2021 As you return from your Easter break, the National Qualifications 2021 Group* appreciates that you may be feeling worried and have questions about assessment this year, and will be looking to your school, college or training provider for guidance and support. Following the cancellation of exams by the Scottish Government, an Alternative Certification Model, the way your results will be decided this year, has been created by the National Qualifications 2021 Group* which includes professionals from across…
The 2021 National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams are cancelled due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This means SQA needs a different way to decide your National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results. SQA is a member of the National Qualifications 2021 Group*, and together the group has agreed the Alternative Certification Model which will be used to award this year’s National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher results. The Scottish Youth Parliament, who represent the views…
Yesterday evening we had the privilege of taking part in an online question and answer session delivered by the National Parent Forum of Scotland (NPFS). With the 2021 exams being cancelled, we know how important it is to help parents, carers and learners stay informed of what this means for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses. Hundreds of parents and carers listened in last night as representatives from the NPFS, the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES)…
Many school learners will be studying for vocational qualifications – such as National Progression Awards or Skills for Work courses which are often part of Foundation Apprenticeships – through School-College partnerships (or similar) this year. If so, they may be assessed through an alternative process developed for these qualifications in 2020-21. This is separate to the Alternative Certification Model being used to result National Qualifications this year.
This year, more than any other, is a real challenge for you as a learner. You are probably finding it more difficult to learn, and finding assessment more of a challenge, given the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. The education system across Scotland is working hard to support colleges to find ways to ease the assessment burden for you, whilst making sure that your qualification will still hold real value for you in the future.
This year, more than any other, is a real challenge for you as a learner. You are probably finding it more difficult to learn, and finding assessment more of a challenge, given the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. If you are a school pupil, you might be studying for vocational qualifications – such as National Progression Awards or Skills for Work courses which are often part of Foundation Apprenticeships – through a School-College partnership (or similar).
Throughout the challenges of the past year, the whole of Scotland’s education system has been working together to ensure learners studying at every level receive the results they deserve. SQA is continuing to work closely with its partners from across the education sector through the National Qualifications 2021 Group*, and the Higher National and Vocational Qualifications (HNVQ) 2021 Group** and we are committed to supporting teachers and lecturers in their key role in assessing learners’ evidence.
We expect parents, carers and learners to have lots of questions about how this year’s qualifications will be awarded given the challenges we are all facing with the pandemic. Our earlier blog about the Alternative Certification Model for National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher courses answers some of those questions, by setting out the timescales, roles, and responsibilities for four of the five stages of the awarding approach we will use this year. We know of course that many people…
SQA understands that this is a very challenging time for learners, their parents and carers, school and college staff and training providers involved in delivering this year’s National Qualifications. We thank all of you for your continuing hard work, dedication, understanding, and support. Everyone working at SQA and across the Scottish education system is committed to ensuring young people across the country have the opportunity to realise their potential and gain the results they deserve.
Following the First Minister’s announcement earlier this afternoon, the National Qualifications Group* is sharing more information about how National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses will be resulted in session 2020-21. The stages for delivering National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results in 2021 make up the alternative certification model. This includes the Appeals service for 2021. Further information on the Appeals service will be available after public consultation. The Group knows that when you go back into your classrooms…
Following the First Minister’s announcement earlier this afternoon, the National Qualifications Group* is sharing further information about the alternative certification model. This is how National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses will be resulted in session 2020-21. Further information about the Appeals service for 2021 will be available following consultation. The Group understands that when your child returns to their classroom they will need time with their teachers and lecturers to review their learning. This is known as consolidating your…
With remote learning continuing until at least mid-February, the National Qualifications 2021 Group appreciates that you may be anxious to know how this will impact on your child and their school or college. We have written to schools and colleges to remind them that maximising learning and teaching time remains the current priority. Overall assessment of your child’s educational achievements (also described as attainment) should therefore take place once they are back in school or college.
With remote learning continuing until at least mid-February, the National Qualifications 2021 Group appreciates that you may be anxious to know how this will impact on you and your school or college. We have written to schools and colleges to remind them that maximising learning and teaching time remains the current priority. Overall assessment of your educational achievements (also described as attainment) should therefore take place once you are back in school or college. Evidence of your attainment remains a…
On Monday 4 January, the First Minister announced that, as part of a national lockdown, schools across Scotland will use remote learning until at least the beginning of February. Following this announcement, the National Qualifications 2021 Group has met to consider the impact this will have on schools delivering National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses under the alternative certification model.
On Monday 4 January, the First Minister announced that, as part of a national lockdown, schools across Scotland will operate on a remote learning basis until at least the beginning of February. Following this announcement, the National Qualifications 2021 Group has met to consider the impact this will have on schools delivering National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses under the alternative certification model.
On 8 December, the Deputy First Minister cancelled the Higher and Advanced Higher exams for 2021. This also means that coursework will not be marked by SQA, however it can still count as evidence of your child’s learning. We understand that you want to know what this means for your children. The National Qualifications 2021 Group continues to meet weekly and is now working through the finer details of how Higher and Advanced Higher courses will be awarded in 2021. These…
On 8 December, the Deputy First Minister cancelled the Higher and Advanced Higher exams for 2021. This also means that coursework will not be marked by SQA, however it can still count towards evidence of your learning. We understand that you want to know what this means for you.
This blog aims to keep you informed on changes to assessment of SQA qualifications in 2020-21.
