News

Oracle Academy Event

An International Oracle Academy event is being held for the first time in Scotland.

SQA's New Ventures Team

As an organisation that aims to continually evolve and embrace change we are pleased to announce a new department within SQA - the New Ventures Team. The team aims to facilitate the development of effective partnerships and leveraging of capability, engaging with colleagues to assure the relevance of SQA and its offerings into the future.

SQA Launches New Gaelic Qualifications

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is launching twelve new Gaelic language qualifications at the Royal National Mòd in Stornoway.

New National Qualifications - Update from SQA

Latest news from SQA on Curriculum for Excellence, the new National Qualifications and the support available to teachers, practitioners, parents and employers.

SQA at Offshore Europe 2011

SQA will be attending this year?s Offshore Europe exhibition as part of the International Energy Skills and Training Alliance (IESTA) stand at location 1D80.

SQA issues results for National Courses 2011

SQA announces details of the 2011 National Course results.

SQA Qualification Comment Form

A new online Qualification Comment Form is now available.

SCQF Credit Points - Grade 'D'

There has been some press coverage recently about the number of SCQF credit points awarded to Grade 'D' at Higher. Here is the official position.
 

MySQA - Delivering exam results

Students signing up for MySQA will be sent their exam results by text and/or e-mail by 9am on Thursday 4 August.

Senior SQA staff visit Shawfair office

Senior SQA staff visited the site of our new offices at Shawfair Business Park, to see how work has progressed since construction began last year.

SQA Launches Gaelic Language Plan

SQA has launched its Gaelic Language Plan.

Internal Verification: A Guide for Centres

The Internal Verification: A Guide for Centres offering SQA Qualifications is intended to provide support for all centres involved in the internal quality assurance of SQA qualifications. It explains the purpose of internal verification and contains information on specific aspects of internal verification.

SQA Staff Give Fairtraders a 'Fair Chance'

SQA staff have promoted the Fairtrade concept this week through a variety of activities.

New Professional Development Award Launched

A new Professional Development Award in Childhood Practice at Level 9 has now been launched.

Course Rationales and Summaries

The next stage of qualifications development is the publication of draft Course Rationale and Summary documents for National 4 and National 5.

Safer Surfing with SQA

Sign up to our free Internet Safety taster course!

Bad Weather Conditions - Guidance for 2011 Exams

Guidance for 2011 exams in the event of bad weather conditions.

Skills for Work Laboratory Science Support Network Event

We are sorry to advise delegates that the above event has now been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.  However this event will be rescheduled and take place in March 2010. All delegates who have booked on the event will be informed of the new date in due course.

SQA Star Awards 2010

Education and training success stories have been celebrated at this year's SQA Star Awards.

Website Satisfaction Survey

Tell us what you think of the redesigned SQA website. Your feedback is an invaluable resource and will help inform any future changes and developments to the site.

Higher Mental Health Care Review Report

The independent Review Group set up by SQA and Scotland's Colleges to examine the assessment and quality assurance of the Higher Mental Health Care qualification is now publishing its findings.

Curriculum for Excellence Liaison Team

SQA's new Curriculum for Excellence Liaison Team will provide a dedicated resource for every school, college and Local Education Authority throughout Scotland.

SQA is Glasgow's Happiest Healthiest Workplace

SQA has won the Happiest Healthiest Workplace Award at the Glasgow Business Awards 2010.

MyAlerts

A new alerts service that emails you whenever content you are interested in is added or updated on SQA's website is now available. For information on how it works and how to subscribe, please use the following link: MyAlerts

Closure of 5-14 National Assessment Bank (NAB)

The 5-14 National Assessment Bank will be closed on 2 July, at the end of the summer term this year.  This decision has been made by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.

2010 Exams Results Released

The Scottish Qualifications Authority today (Thursday, 5 August, 2010) announces details of the 2010 National Course results.

Improved Site

We have redesigned SQA.org.uk, based on user feedback, to make it easier to navigate and to allow different kinds of users to find what they are looking for more easily.

National Qualifications: Online Question Paper Survey 2010

We'd like to invite teaching colleagues involved in a number of subjects to take a few moments to complete our online survey.

SQA Star Awards - Nominate Now!

Subject Working Groups - Have Your Say

We are setting up Subject Working Groups and are looking for teaching professionals to assist us in this work.

Review of Teacher Education in Scotland

Teachers in Scotland are being asked to respond to the Review of Teacher Eduation in Scotland survey.

Students praised for producing teaching resources

SQA has recognised students for their contribution to a teaching resource that will benefit the next generation of English language tutors.

10 Years of Marked Achievement

SQA was established in April 1997 to combine the roles of the Scottish Vocational Education Council (SCOTVEC) and the Scottish Examination Board (SEB). We are now responsible for the development, assessment and certification of most qualifications in Scotland (except university degrees). 1.25 million Scots hold an SQA qualification!

Curriculum for Excellence Management Board Announcement

Education Secretary Michael Russell has confirmed that there will be no delay to the roll out of Curriculum for Excellence in secondary schools this August.

Flight Disruption - Exams Advice

We are monitoring the current flight disruption situation closely. We have procedures in place to cater for candidates who can?t take their exams or whose performance in exams is affected by external events.

SQA staff support woodland regeneration

Scotland and Me Exhibits at the Glasgow Science Centre

We are pleased to announce that 20 amazing exhibits from our recent Scotland and Me competition are now on display at the Glasgow Science Centre.

Disability Equality Scheme 2010-13

SQA has developed its Disability Equality Scheme for 2010-13 in line with legislative requirements Disability Equality Scheme and Action Plan 2010?13. The DES 2010-13 replaces the DES and associated action plan for 2007-09

Appointments to the Board of the Scottish Qualifications Authority

The SQA has vacancies for three Board members and Scottish Ministers are inviting applications now from people motivated to make a difference to Scottish Education who have the relevant skills, knowledge and personal qualities required.

Homecoming 2009

SQA is delighted to be supporting Scotland?s Homecoming Year.  A magnificent exhibition featuring top entries from our Scotland and Me creative competition was held on Monday 23 November in Glasgow.  The Scotland and Me Celebration will also showcase SQA qualifications that support Scottish culture and society.  Our anthology Addressing the Bard, a brilliant new teaching resource to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns birth, was launched on 27 August.

Annual Report and Accounts 2008/09

Every year, SQA lays a formal Annual Report and a full Annual Financial Report before the Scottish Parliament. The Annual Report and Accounts gives details of our performance against the aims and objectives for the financial year 2008/09.

Stage 2 Appeals - Notification of Late/Incomplete Appeals

As with Stage 1 appeals, we will notify centres on a subject by subject basis of any Stage 2 appeals which have been rejected due to late or incomplete submission by sending a report via email to the SQA Coordinator.

Appeals Intimation Reports - Stage 1

Appeals Intimation Reports for Stage 1 appeals (Higher and Advanced Higher) were distributed from SQA's offices on Friday 25 September 2009.

NQ Question Paper Survey 2009

Our annual question paper survey gives you an opportunity to pass on any comments you may have about a particular question paper or papers to qualification development teams and Assessment Panels.

Professional Development Workshops 2009/10

We have added further workshop topics to our professional development programme for 2009/10.

Landmark Internet Safety Project Makes for Safer Surfing in Manchester

Manchester City Council and the Scottish Qualifications Authority have joined forces to help create a safer internet environment for the city¿s pupils, parents and teachers.

Practical Makes Perfect - Scottish VQ Heroes 2009

Scottish students have been recognised as Scotland's Vocational Qualification Heroes as part of VQ Day, a UK-wide celebration of vocational achievements and the many paths to success taken by learners of all ages.

New Board members announced

Keith Brown MSP, Minister for Schools and Skills, has announced the appointment of Willie Gallagher and Kenneth McKay to the SQA Board of Management.

Scotland's Exams 2009 - Flu Update - Wednesday 13 May 2009

The Scottish examinations diet is now well into its second week without disruption. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Scottish Government continue to monitor the influenza A (H1N1) virus situation and to liaise with equivalent bodies throughout the UK. Today, in line with a similar document being published by Ofqual, the regulator of qualifications, exams and tests in England, the SQA publishes its Contingency Management Framework.

First Candidates complete new workplace qualification

The first candidates to complete our new Professional Development Award: Developing Literacies Learning Programmes for the Workplace were recently presented with their certificates by the Minister for Schools and Skills, Keith Brown MSP and SQA Chief Executive, Dr Janet Brown.

Exciting development opportunity for all SQA centres

SQA was recently approved for additional ESF funding of £1.2m GBP to develop a range of innovative resources supporting National Certificates and NPA?s. We will be developing e-assessment, web-based learning materials and making use of games-based assessment and e-portfolios. You have the opportunity to get involved in this development.

Find out more

Appointee Opportunities

SQA currently seek applications for Appointee vacancies in a number of roles and subjects. Applicants will be expected to be actively engaged in the delivery of the relevant qualifications and should preferably have at least three years experience of work for SQA.

Scottish Exams Diet 2009

Scotland?s National Qualification examination diet gets under way on Tuesday 5 May 2009.

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Qualifications Authority are monitoring the ongoing swine flu situation closely but exam candidates, local authorities, schools and all key stakeholders can be reassured that in the meantime it is very much business as usual.

Professional Development Workshops from SQA – New Online Booking Form

Use our new booking facility to reserve your place on one of SQA's Professional Development Workshops.

Landmark Internet Safety Project Makes for Safer Surfing in Manchester

Manchester City Council and the Scottish Qualifications Authority have joined forces to help create a safer internet environment for the city's pupils, parents and teachers.

Scottish Survey of Achievement 2008

The Scottish Government have issued the findings from the 2008 Scottish Survey of Achievement (SSA) which was carried out in Scottish schools during April and June 2008. This was the fourth SSA and focused on Mathematics.

Curriculum for Excellence launch

The Scottish Government have launched guidance for teachers on the new curriculum.

Find out more

Curriculum for Excellence and the review of National Qualifications: Update

Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, has announced that the next generation of National Qualifications will be introduced for pupils in the 2013/14 session.

Curriculum for Excellence

The Curriculum for Excellence programme will provide a seamless curriculum for young people from 3 to 18 in Scotland. Together with our partners, the Scottish Government, Learning and Teaching Scotland and HM Inspectorate of Education, we are a key player in this programme with our principal role being to develop the next generation of National Qualifications.

Follow this link for more information on Curriculum for Excellence and current vacancies

Annual Report and Accounts 2007/08

Every year, SQA lays a formal Annual Report and a full Annual Financial Report before the Scottish Parliament. The Annual Report and Accounts gives details of our performance against the aims and objectives for the financial year 2007/2008.

SQA Star Awards 2008

Thirty-eight awards in fourteen different categories were presented to a variety of education and training success stories from across Scotland recently at the annual Star Awards.

New Scottish Standard web pages

We want you to have confidence in our qualifications. For that reason, we are bringing everything we do to set, maintain and monitor qualification and assessment standards under the label of the 'Scottish Standard'. These new pages provide you with a lot more information about our qualification and assessment processes.

Follow this link to view the Scottish Standard web pages

Changes to Core Skills Profiles from October 2008

The Core Skills Framework has undergone a refresh, which means that some of the components within it have changed. These component changes were necessary to ensure that the Framework remained current.

Scottish Qualifications Authority issues results for National Courses 2008

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has announced the 2008 National Course results, which include Standard Grade and Access Courses.

SQA Licensing Qualifications Accredited

We have developed four new qualifications to support the Licensed Trade sector in implementing the mandatory PLH qualification and staff training requirements arising from the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

Art Exhibition 2007

SQA issues results for National Courses 2007

Connecting with SQA - Customer Conference 2007

Thank you to all who came along to our 2007 Customer Conference – Connecting with SQA – on 14 and 15 June at the Radisson Hotel, Glasgow. We are pleased to offer you access to the workshop presentations.

2007 Exam Guides