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Annual Review 2002/03

Every year, as part of our governance, SQA lays a formal Annual Report and a full Annual Financial Report before the Scottish Parliament.

In addition, this year we have published this Annual Review.

IMAGE: Annual Review 2003 cover.

Awards UK Introduce SVQ/NVQs in Logistics

Awards UK have produced a leaflet detailing SVQs/NVQs developed by Skills for Logistics in conjunction with representatives from the sector. These SVQs and NVQs are available through Awards UK and are certificated by SQA and Edexcel respectively.

Open this page for more information

Did You Know You Can Access NVQs Through SQA?

LOGO: Awards UK Ltd.
Scottish Qualifications Authority and Edexcel, two of the largest and best known awarding bodies in the UK, have a joint venture company, Awards UK Ltd.
New Board Members
It was announced on 14 February that three new members have been appointed to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Board. An existing Board member is also being reappointed.
Policy and Financial Management Review
Stage two report of the Scottish Qualifications Authority Policy and Financial Management Review.
Portfolio Review Consultation
The Scottish Qualifications Authority is carrying out a review of its portfolio of qualifications as a result of feedback received from stakeholders.
SQA Annual Awards 2004
The 2004 Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Annual Awards, held on Monday 22 November at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel, brought together the very best in Scottish education.
Summary Budget 2005/06
The Summary Budget for 2005/06 has now been agreed with the Scottish Government and is available to view online.
SQA Glasgow is moving
From 21 April, all SQA's Glasgow based operations will move to The Optima Building on Robertson Street. The move should be completed by 8 May.
Review of External Moderation
SQA has recently completed a review of its external moderation system.  The review concluded that the current system does not meet the needs of all SQA provision and made a series of recommendations for an improved system of external moderation.  We are currently developing a pilot model to implement these recommendations.
Professional Development Award in e-Learning: Production
SQA has developed a Professional Development Award (PDA)
e-Learning: Production (G79J 16), which is designed for professionals interested in the preparation of e-learning materials for delivery.
Online Assessment Guidance Group (OAGG)
The Online Assessment Guidance Group oversees the production of advice and guidance on using e-assessment to support SQA qualifications.  In February 2005 OAGG surveyed centres to establish the types of advice our customers and partners require in this area.  A total of 534 replies were received and the views expressed are being used to inform the development of a range of resources appropriate to our customers' requirements.
DIVA website launched
DIVA is a new programme of collaboration between Scottish education, global and local industry and the Scottish Qualifications Authority to expand and enrich Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and digital media qualifications across all relevant subject areas.
Corporate Plan 2005-2008
Every year, as part of our governance arrangements, SQA prepares a Corporate Plan which sets out our key objectives for the forthcoming three years. Our key priorities and activities for the first year of this plan are set out in our Business Plan for 2005/06. This year, for the first time, SQA has integrated both plans within one document.
Chinese language survey
SQA is currently undertaking an investigation into Chinese language provision in Scotland. An online survey has been developed to allow for the gathering of relevant data and information, the results of which will allow for the production of a Chinese language development strategy for SQA.
Annual Report 2003/2004
Every year, as part of our governance arrangements, SQA lays a formal Annual Report and a full Annual Financial Report before the Scottish Parliament. The Annual Report gives details of our performance against the aims and objectives for the financial year 2003/2004.
Core and Key Skill Equivalences
SQA and QCA have established tables of equivalent development in respect of Core and Key Skills.  For more information open this page.
Grade D Questions and Answers

What is a grade D award?

Grade D, like grades C to A, is reported on the Scottish Qualifications Certificate as a Course award in its own right. Grade D indicates that the candidate has:

  • achieved all the National Units for the Course at that level
  • scored between 45% and 49% in the Course assessment
Entry Charges 2006/07 - 31/05/06
SQA has announced that from session 2006/07, entry charges for National Qualifications, Higher National Qualifications and Scottish Vocational Qualifications will rise by 3%.
Learning Programme Credit Rated
SQA’s SCQF Credit Rating Service has recently credit rated a learning programme designed as Continued Professional Development for technical support staff in schools.
Feeling Inspired? – Get Writing!

We are pleased to announce that we are sponsoring in partnership with the English Speaking Union Scotland (ESUS), National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) and the Scottish Poetry Library (SPL) a creative writing competition, using the art in the collections of the NGS as inspiration.  The competition has five entry categories and anyone can get involved.

New Chief Executive

Dr Janet Brown has been appointed Chief Executive of SQA and took up the post during March 2007.

Dr Janet Brown

PDA Advanced Certificate in Medical Administration
This Professional Development Award (PDA) has been designed in consultation with practitioners and colleges and is aimed at those already employed within the administrative sector of NHS Scotland who do not possess a relevant vocational qualification or who wish to update their existing qualifications as part of their continuing CPD activity. The PDA can be delivered in tandem with the HNC/HND Administration and Information Technology where candidates have elected the Medical Units as options.
SGAs at Access 2 and 3
The update letter which has been sent to all centres has been placed on the Access 1 and 2 Update Letter section of the website.
Tom Drake appointed OBE

Tom Drake, SQA's interim Chief Executive, has been awarded the OBE by Her Majesty The Queen in the 2007 New Year’s Honours List for services to Education.

 PHOTO: Tom Drake.
National Qualifications: How Awards are Made
A guide describing the quality assurance procedures SQA carries out every year for National Qualifications is now available on this site.
Data Services Events

SQA?s Data Services provide support and guidance to all SQA approved centres through the Registration, Entries, Results and Certification processes. To encourage centres to use our service we are holding surgeries throughout Scotland in 2007.

Find out more

Strategy developed to address specific challenges in Highlands and Islands

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has launched a new strategy for action in the Highlands and Islands region.

SQA is responsible for developing, accrediting, assessing and certificating all Scottish qualifications apart from university degrees and some professional qualifications, and this is the organisation?s first specific regional strategy. It has been developed in conjunction with local partners and stakeholders as a follow-up to last year?s fact-finding visit to the area by the SQA Board of Management.

Inspirational Art Tour 2006

Using the very best work submitted by Scotland?s talented young artists for this year?s exams, we recently launched a special Art Tour, which will travel across Scotland for 7 weeks (until 24 November), visiting over 50 schools from Galashiels to Golspie.

PHOTO: Inspirational Art Tour bus.

The stunning Collection is being housed in a travelling gallery on wheels - a specially-liveried and kitted-out skyliner bus. The aim of the tour is to inspire future art candidates and spotlight the work of this year?s candidates and their teachers.

View a selection of the art.

Your Scottish Candidate Number

When changing school or college, it is important that you use the same candidate number, and inform your new centre of your existing number.

SQA Results Day Figures

The number of calls into SQA's Candidate Helpline on Tuesday 7 August 2007 has gone down from previous years, with a total of 1171 calls handled by 4.00pm (2006: 1252 calls).

Our Strategy for Action 2002 - 2007

Our Strategy for Action 2002 - 2007 outlines SQA's priorities for the next five years.

Developed through a process of meetings with staff and stakeholders alike, it aims to build understanding of the choices and decisions made in the selection of those priorities. It also highlights the importance of listening and responding to customer needs.

IMAGE: Our Strategy cover.
Achievement Counts

You will start to become aware of the SCQF as it now features on your SQA Scottish Qualifications Certificate issued every August. This leaflet tells you why this is happening and how you will benefit.

SQA's Website Now Accessible

You may have noticed that a number of a changes have been made to SQA's website.

This is to ensure that we meet the Accessibility standards as set out by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) and the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), and we are sure that the improvements being made will be of benefit to all users. 
Portfolio Review

The outcomes of the portfolio review consultation have been agreed and a detailed letter is being sent to centres.

New record for SQA exam results

A new record number of candidates will receive their National Qualifications courses results from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) this week.

Results Online Press Releases

Like the other 34,000 learners who had registered for the SQA?s Results Online service, five young pupils from St Luke?s High School in Barrhead went online to get their National Qualifications results yesterday (6 August 2007), a day ahead of the general mail delivery of certificates.

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