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Qualifications are changing - information for parents and carers

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Welcome to our website. Qualifications are changing as part of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE). Curriculum for Excellence is the new approach to learning in schools which will help to develop young people's skills for the twenty-first century. We are developing the new qualifications young people will study.

To view the documents and information for each subject, use the subject drop-down menu at thetop of the page.

What is Curriculum for Excellence?

Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) represents a different approach to learning in schools and in the way education is delivered in nursery, primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, the workplace and the community.

It takes a fresh approach to what, how and where young people learn. CfE aims to raise standards, improve knowledge and develop skills by providing a coherent, more flexible and enriched curriculum from 3 to 18.

Ultimately it aims to develop “four capacities” in young people which are: successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.

For more information on the background and benefits of CfE, visit www.curriculumforexcellencescotland.gov.uk

Our Guide to the New National Qualifications for Parents and Carers leaflet gives a detailed overview of what the changes mean for you and your family.

Why are qualifications changing?

The fresh approach to learning under Curriculum for Excellence requires new assessment methods and qualifications.

We are developing the new qualifications which will have equal status and credibility to those currently available and will support the new curriculum.

We are working with parents, teachers, colleges, universities, employers and the Scottish Government to make sure national standards are maintained.

The new qualifications will help young people to reach their full potential as they progress from their broad, general education through to college, university, other learning and employment.

Which qualifications are changing?

Pupils who entered S1 in 2010/11 will study towards new National Qualifications.

To find out when qualifications will be available, download the handy chart (3.14 MB) below:

Individual schools will implement this process in different ways, so it is worth checking with your school to confirm their final plans.

To find out more about exactly which qualifications your child will take, see our leaflet (374 KB).

The new qualifications from National 2 to Higher have been developed and we are currently developing Advanced Higher. Throughout the development we are publishing draft documents to show our thinking and ask for feedback.

Our chart (93 KB) shows how the new qualifications will replace the existing qualifications on the SCQF

Where can I find further information?

For information about:

when your child will make their subject choices and other arrangements within their classes, please speak to your child’s school or your local authority
what you can do to support your child, visit the ParentZone website
Scottish qualifications and learning programmes and how they compare with one another, visit the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework website
parent/teacher groups, visit the Scottish Parent Teacher Council website or the National Parent Forum of Scotland website
what’s happening across Scotland’s education community, visit the Engage for Education website
advice and information about additional support for learning, visit Enquire
John Allan, SQA's Policy Manager for Curriculum for Excellence, answers your questions

This table shows what the new qualifications are and what they replace.

SCQF Level	New National Qualifications	Replaces	Current National Qualifications
1 and 2	National 1 and National 2	>	Access 1 and Access 2
3	National 3	>	Access 3 Standard Grade (Foundation level)
4	National 4	>	Standard Grade (General level) Intermediate 1
5	National 5	>	Standard Grade (Credit level) Intermediate 2
6	Higher (new)	>	Higher
7	Advanced Higher (new)	>	Advanced Higher