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Qualifications are changing - information for parents and carers
Read the transcript of the Parent Introduction (23 KB) video.
Welcome to SQA’s website. You may have heard about Curriculum for Excellence from your child or from your child’s school. Curriculum for Excellence is the new approach to learning in schools which will help to prepare children for the twenty-first century. We are developing the new qualifications your child will study. This section of our website tells you what you need to know about the changes.
- Our Qualifications are changing - A guide for parents and carers leaflet gives a detailed overview of what the changes mean for you and your family.
- Our chart (93 KB) shows how the new qualifications will replace the existing qualifications on the SCQF
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
Why are qualifications changing?
The fresh approach to learning under Curriculum for Excellence requires new assessment methods and qualifications.
We, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) 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 pupils reach their full potential as they progress from their broad, general education through to college, university, other learning and employment.
Which qualifications are changing?
In 2010/11, pupils in S2 and above have the chance to study for a number of current qualifications while they're at secondary school.
These pupils will carry on studying towards these existing qualifications throughout their secondary school education.
Pupils who entered S1 in 2010/11 will study towards new National Qualifications.
The table below lists the existing National Qualifications and shows how they equate to the new qualifications:
| Current National Qualifications | REPLACED BY | New National Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Access 1 and Access 2 | > | Access 1 and Access 2 (revised) |
| Access 3 Standard Grade (Foundation level) |
> | Access 3 (revised) |
| Standard Grade (General level) Intermediate 1 |
> | National 4 |
| Standard Grade (Credit level) Intermediate 2 |
> | National 5 |
| Higher | > | Higher (revised) |
| Advanced Higher | > | Advanced Higher (revised) |
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).
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
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