SQA statement on publication of the Report of the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment (Hayward Review) and the update on Education Reform legislation

Thursday 22 June 2023

David Middleton, Chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), said: 'The Hayward report sets out an ambitious programme of change and reform to assessment and qualifications.

'We will respond to the report more fully in due course. We are positive about change, but we must ensure change can be delivered successfully across the education system, to ensure fairness to learners, and the ongoing integrity and credibility of our qualifications system.

'In June 2021, it was announced that SQA was to be replaced. Today, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills has said that the time is not right for legislation to replace SQA. However, she has made clear that work will continue to create new national bodies. SQA will continue to contribute to that work as it has done since 2021.

'Our focus remains on ensuring that we continue to deliver high quality qualifications to learners in schools, colleges and training providers across Scotland and beyond. This includes the 140,000 learners who took qualifications in 2023 and who will receive their results on 8 August.

'I would like to thank SQA staff for their continued hard work and commitment throughout this period of uncertainty.'