Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are SQA Star Awards and why should I enter?
  2. Who can make nominations?
  3. Who can be nominated?
  4. How can I make a nomination?
  5. How much work is involved in nominating someone?
  6. Can I make more than one nomination?
  7. Can I nominate more than one person/centre?
  8. Can I submit “paper” evidence to SQA to back-up my nomination?
  9. What happens after I have sent my nomination back?
  10. How do I know if the person/centre I wish to nominate is eligible?
  11. How are the nominees judged?
  12. What is the deadline for nominations?
  13. Can I nominate someone who was a winner or finalist in a previous year?
  14. When is the Award Ceremony?
  15. What benefits are there to my centre in winning a STAR Award?

1. What are SQA Star Awards and why should I enter?

The SQA Star Awards are recognition for candidates who have faced up to their own particular challenges, or have put their qualifications to good use.

It’s our way of saluting centres that have made particular efforts to make sure their candidates are not only well supported, but also well-positioned to use the qualifications they have gained

SQA want to reward excellence by individuals and centres alike, across all sectors of education and training – schools, colleges, training providers and businesses.  This SQA Star Awards Ceremony is the most prestigious way to recognise and reward excellence throughout education.

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2. Who can make nominations?

Nominations can be made from anyone who has evidence to cover the criteria for the award.

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3. Who can be nominated?

A Centre offering SQA qualifications can be nominated or a person within a Centre can be nominated for a star award as long as the criteria is met within each of the individual categories.

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4. How can I make a nomination?

The nomination process is quick and easy and is done online.  To nominate visit www.sqa.org.uk/star and complete the nomination form, but remember the closing date for nominations is Friday 27 June 2008.

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5. How much work is involved in nominating someone?

Making a nomination for a Star award is a quick and easy process. You simply have to select the most appropriate award category for your nomination, fill in some contact details and name the person/centre you wish to nominate. You are asked to give examples to support the criteria, using a maximum of 1000 words. You are advised to use examples that illustrate the impact that the STAR nominee has made.  A sample nomination from last year is on the star awards website www.sqa.org.uk/star

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6. Can I make more than one nomination?

Yes. You can make as many nominations as you like – as long as you have the evidence to meet the award criteria.

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7. Can I nominate more than one person/centre?

Yes. You can nominate as many people/centres as you like.

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8. Can I submit “paper” evidence to SQA to back-up my nomination?

No. Please include all evidence to support your nomination in your 1,000 word count.

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9. What happens after I have sent my nomination back?

The deadline for nominations is Friday 27 June 2007.

The Star Awards judging panel assess all entries, using the published criteria. The Panel will then draw up a short list for each category. If successfully short-listed, nominees and their nominators will be contacted and invited to attend the ceremony. A letter will also be sent to unsuccessful nominators during September. 

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10. How do I know if the person/centre I wish to nominate is eligible?

Eligible nominees must be an SQA Centre with a valid centre number or be a candidate and have a SCN.

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11. How are the nominees judged?

 Nominees are judged against how closely they meet the published criteria, not against each other.

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12. What is the deadline for nominations?

The deadline for entries is 27 June 2008.

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13. Can I nominate someone who was a winner or finalist in a previous year?

Yes. Anyone who was nominated or who won an award last year can be nominated again this year.

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14. When is the Award Ceremony?

November 2008 in Glasgow – final date to be agreed.

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15. What benefits are there to my centre in winning a STAR Award?

This is a national award ceremony that attracts media interest across Scotland.  Winning an award will generate local publicity and PR for the winning centres/candidates.  A custom made STAR trophy is presented to winners and centres reaching the finals along with a special STAR logo use on their stationery/website.

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