Qualifications 2021 - news from SQA

• National Qualifications 2021 - Important message from organisations working across Scottish education

  (14 MAY 2021)

  The National Qualifications 2021 Group developed the Alternative Certification Model (ACM) and has continued to revise it in light of the  second period of lockdown and remote learning. We want to reassure students that everyone in Scottish education is working hard on their behalf to ensure that the ACM allows learners to achieve fair and credible grades, with every step possible being taken to ensure young people's wellbeing is protected through the process.  

• National Qualifications 2021 Group - Disruption to Learning

  (10 MAY 2021)

  Further to its latest update published on Tuesday 13 April 2021, the National Qualifications 2021 Group* is acutely aware that the extended lockdown between January and March has created a truncated window for the production of evidence to support professional judgement around provisional grades. In some instances, this challenge may be compounded by individual learners being required to self-isolate during the post-Easter period.

• Joint statement from SQA and Colleges Scotland

  (18 DEC 2020)

  SQA and Colleges Scotland thank all staff for their continuing help and support in dealing with the challenges which continue to face us all in session 2020-21.

• National Qualifications 2021 Group update: Alternative Certification Model Stage 2

  (13 APR 2021)

  The post-Easter term will be a busy and challenging one for everyone as we move into stage two of the alternative certification model and look to gather learner evidence in the classroom environment as fairly and robustly as possible. Many learners, parents and carers will have questions and will be looking for guidance and support. To help with this, we have summarised the key elements of this stage of the model.

• SQA comments on Deputy First Minister's decision to cancel Higher and Advanced Higher exams

  (08 DEC 2020)

  The Deputy First Minister has announced that the 2021 National Qualifications examination diet has been cancelled.

• Delivering National 5 results in 2020-21

  (08 DEC 2020)

  Information on the model to support teachers and lecturers in providing provisional results for National 5 candidates in session 2020-21.

• Revised model for delivering National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results in 2021

  (16 FEB 2021)

  Following the First Minister's announcement on 16 February 2021, the National Qualifications Group has shared revised arrangements for the Alternative Certification Model and the timeline for delivering National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results in session 2020-21. Further information about the Appeals service for 2021 will be available following consultation.

• Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group - National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher

  (12 JAN 2021)

  Latest update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group, following the statement given by the First Minister on Monday 4 January.

• Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group: Support and guidance for Higher and Advanced Higher in session 2020-21

  (16 DEC 2020)

  Subject-specific guidance for teachers and lecturers will be published by SQA for all subjects, on a rolling basis, throughout January 2021.

• Changes to Visiting Assessment Arrangements for National Qualifications

  (26 NOV 2020)

  We've published details of the changes to visiting assessment arrangements for Dance, Drama, Gàidhlig, Modern Languages, and Music assessments at Higher, and Advanced Higher level in session 2020-21.

• SQA update to Schools, Colleges, and Local Authorities on arrangements for National Qualifications in 2020-21

  (02 NOV 2020)

  Copy of the update issued to schools, colleges and local authorities (Heads of Centre, SQA Co-ordinators, Directors of Education, Heads of Education and Quality Improvement Officers) on Monday 02 November.

• SQA statement on arrangements for the assessment of National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses in the 2020-21 session

  (07 OCT 2020)

  The Deputy First Minister has announced a number of measures for the awarding of National Courses at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher in 2020-21.

• Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group: National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher

  (27 JAN 2021)

  The First Minister's announcement on 19 January 2021 confirmed that remote learning will continue until at least mid-February. Given this announcement the National Qualifications 2021 Group is overseeing changes to the alternative certification model and associated timeline that was announced in December

• Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group: Assessment approach to National 5

  (11 NOV 2020)

  Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group which includes the Association of Directors of Education Scotland (ADES), Colleges Scotland, Education Scotland, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), School Leaders Scotland (SLS), the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Scottish Government.

• SQA publishes its response to the letter issued by the Scottish Parliament Education & Skills Committee on 20 August 2020

  (02 SEP 2020)

  SQA responds to the letter issued by the Scottish Parliament's Education & Skills Committee of 20 August 2020.

• National Courses in session 2020-21 - update

  (16 SEP 2020)

  The Deputy First Minister has asked SQA to pause publication of outcomes of our consultations on National Courses in session 2020-21 until after publication of the Priestley Review.

• Update on appeals process for 2020

  (14 AUG 2020)

  SQA can now confirm that the Deputy First Minister has directed us to provide an appeals process for centres.

   

• SQA outlines Results Day support for students

  (29 JUL 2020)

  More than 130,000 young people across Scotland are about to receive the results for their National Qualifications, courses, certificates, and awards.

• SQA Coronavirus Update - Opening Statement from SQA to Scottish Parliament Education and Skills Committee

  (01 MAY 2020)

  A copy of the opening statement given by SQA Chief Executive, and Scotland's Chief Examining Officer Fiona Robertson, to the Scottish Parliament's Education and Skills Committee on Friday 01 May

• Joint statement from Colleges Scotland, SQA, Skills Development Scotland and Universities Scotland on Foundation Apprenticeships

  (12 JUN 2020)

  Update from Colleges Scotland, SQA, SDS and Universities Scotland regarding Foundation Apprentices due to complete in 2020.

• Arrangements for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses in the 2020-21 session - joint statement from Scottish Government and SQA

  (14 AUG 2020)

  SQA is launching two consultations to gather feedback on modifications to qualifications and adjustments to the 2021 exam timetable.

• Joint statement from SQA and Skills Development Scotland on Foundation Apprenticeships

  (22 MAY 2020)

  SQA and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) are committed to supporting learners who are undertaking a Foundation Apprenticeship, at this exceptionally difficult time.

• National Qualifications 2020 Awarding - an update for schools and colleges

  (03 JUN 2020)

  Following the receipt of refined estimates for learners from schools and colleges across Scotland, we have issued a further update on our work this year, including details of our free appeals service.

• Awarding 2020 - Post-Certification Review (Appeals) Service - Information for centres

  (19 JUN 2020)

  We have published information for centres regarding the free appeals (post certification review) service we will use this year.

• Statement by the Chief Executive of the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Scotland's Chief Examining Officer

  (11 AUG 2020)

  Everyone at SQA fully acknowledges the strength of feeling about last week's results among individual learners, their parents and carers - and among wider colleagues in the education system.

  As the Deputy First Minister has outlined in Parliament today, through a Ministerial direction SQA will change the previous approach to certification this year and instead award candidate results based solely on the estimates provided by schools and colleges. The results of those learners who were awarded a higher grade during the process will also be maintained.

• SQA response to Scottish Parliament Education & Skills Committee letter of 15 June 2020

  (30 JUN 2020)

  SQA responds to the letter issued Scottish Parliament's Education and Skills Committee, published on 15 June 2020.

• SQA qualifications 2021 - a message for SQA centres

  (26 JUN 2020)

  SQA provides a short update on the work we are doing to make alternative arrangements for the delivery of our qualifications for the 2020-21 session.

• Awarding 2020 - Thank you from Fiona Robertson

  (01 JUN 2020)

  A thank you message from Fiona Robertson, SQA Chief Executive.

• SQA Coronavirus Update - SQA response to Scottish Parliament Education and Skills Committee

  (21 MAY 2020)

  A copy of the response sent by SQA Chief Executive, and Scotland's Chief Examining Officer Fiona Robertson, to the Scottish Parliament's Education and Skills Committee.