The Validation Report

After the meeting, a Validation Report must be completed and sent to SQA's Reference Section, normally within one week.

If the meeting is arranged and hosted by SQA, it will be the responsibility of the SQA representative to complete and return the Validation Report.

If the meeting is arranged and hosted by a centre, it will be the responsibility of the centre representative to complete and return the Validation Report — in this case, the SQA representative will submit a summary report immediately after the meeting.

In both cases, the Validation Report must be signed by the convener to indicate agreement with its contents.

Once the appropriate SQA Qualification Team Business Manager has countersigned the Validation Report, copies will be sent to all panel members. All matters pertaining to the meeting and its outcome should be treated in confidence. If, on receipt of the Validation Report, a panel member has questions concerning any part of it, he/she should contact SQA without delay. A Qualifications Manager/Officer will then follow up the matter.

Appeals against validation outcomes

A Qualification Design Team can lodge an appeal if it feels that the validation panel has failed to conduct the validation meeting in an objective way and in accordance with SQA's validation criteria. Appeals will only be considered if it can be shown that SQA's validation criteria have been misinterpreted, or that the procedures followed were not consistent with those laid down in this guide.

Appeals will be considered on the following grounds:

  • lack of objectivity of the panel
  • misinterpretation of validation criteria
  • deviation from procedures (as laid down in this guide)

A Qualification Design Team can appeal by writing to SQA’s Depute Director, Higher National and Vocational Qualifications, within two weeks of the event, setting out the grounds for the appeal. Appeals will normally be considered by SQA’s Appeals Sub-Committee within six weeks of receipt of a full submission.

However, before making the appeal, all parties are encouraged to discuss the matter informally to seek a solution without recourse to a formal hearing. If there is to be a hearing, the convener of the validation panel will be invited to attend.

This mechanism for making an appeal against validation outcomes is available to centres putting forward PDA proposals for validation, and to Qualification Design Teams led by SQA. Appeals must be submitted by the Head of the Centre (or his/her representative) or by the Qualifications Manager if SQA is making the appeal.

For more information on appeals, see The Appeals Process.