We want to provide a short update on the work we are doing with our partners to make appropriate arrangements for the delivery of National Qualifications, and Higher National and Vocational Qualifications, in session 2021-22.
SQA has published statistics for the Appeals service following the 2019-20 academic year.
Later today, our service for receiving provisional results from schools, colleges and training providers across Scotland will close. This marks stage 4 of the alternative certification model for 2021 and will bring the total number of National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher entries to over 520,000.
Fiona Robertson, SQA's Chief Executive, has responded to the publication of the OECD report.
SQA is recruiting for its latest intake of Modern Apprentices.
SQA response to the open letter received from a range of signatories.
A contingency arrangement for centres to submit provisional results by noon on 3 September 2021. This arrangement will apply if learners have not been able to complete all the required assessment by 25 June.
Information on assessment guidance for colleges in Scotland.
Following the receipt of refined estimates for learners from schools and colleges across Scotland, we have issued a further update on our work this year, including details of our free appeals service.
A copy of the response sent by SQA Chief Executive, and Scotland's Chief Examining Officer Fiona Robertson, to the Scottish Parliament's Education and Skills Committee.
A thank you message from Fiona Robertson, SQA Chief Executive.
We have published information for centres regarding the free appeals (post certification review) service we will use this year.
Update from Colleges Scotland, SQA, SDS and Universities Scotland regarding Foundation Apprentices due to complete in 2020.
A copy of the opening statement given by SQA Chief Executive, and Scotland's Chief Examining Officer Fiona Robertson, to the Scottish Parliament's Education and Skills Committee on Friday 01 May
SQA can now confirm that the Deputy First Minister has directed us to provide an appeals process for centres.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) today announces a free appeals service, available directly to learners for the first time, covering this year's National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher qualifications.
With the publication of the new appeals process which, for the first time, gives students the right to appeal directly - and for free - to the Scottish Qualifications Authority, our Chief Executive and Scotland's Chief Examiner, Fiona Robertson reflects on this exceptional year in Scottish education.
The National Qualifications 2021 Group developed the Alternative Certification Model (ACM) and has continued to revise it in light of the second period of lockdown and remote learning. We want to reassure students that everyone in Scottish education is working hard on their behalf to ensure that the ACM allows learners to achieve fair and credible grades, with every step possible being taken to ensure young people's wellbeing is protected through the process.
Further to its latest update published on Tuesday 13 April 2021, the National Qualifications 2021 Group* is acutely aware that the extended lockdown between January and March has created a truncated window for the production of evidence to support professional judgement around provisional grades. In some instances, this challenge may be compounded by individual learners being required to self-isolate during the post-Easter period.
SQA and Colleges Scotland thank all staff for their continuing help and support in dealing with the challenges which continue to face us all in session 2020-21.
The post-Easter term will be a busy and challenging one for everyone as we move into stage two of the alternative certification model and look to gather learner evidence in the classroom environment as fairly and robustly as possible. Many learners, parents and carers will have questions and will be looking for guidance and support. To help with this, we have summarised the key elements of this stage of the model.
SQA has published a consultation on the appeals process for 2021 National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher courses.
The Deputy First Minister has announced that the 2021 National Qualifications examination diet has been cancelled.
SQA provides an update on the estimates process it has developed to deliver this year's National Qualifications.
SQA has been working through a range of scenarios in relation to the exam diet
Possible impact of the Coronavirus on the National Qualifications 2020 Examinations Timetable
Guidance on the completion of coursework and our approach to certification will be available soon
Schools and colleges are not required to submit learner coursework for marking, in Higher and Advanced Higher courses
Impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on the 2020 examination timetable, and wider qualifications certification
Further joint statement from SQA and Colleges Scotland covering assessing HNC, HND, NC, NPA and NQ units; resulting and certification, and external verification.
This Scottish Apprenticeship Week, find out how SQA approached the recruitment of Modern Apprentices over the past year.
Information on the model to support teachers and lecturers in providing provisional results for National 5 candidates in session 2020-21.
Following the First Minister's announcement on 16 February 2021, the National Qualifications Group has shared revised arrangements for the Alternative Certification Model and the timeline for delivering National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results in session 2020-21. Further information about the Appeals service for 2021 will be available following consultation.
Latest update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group, following the statement given by the First Minister on Monday 4 January.
Subject-specific guidance for teachers and lecturers will be published by SQA for all subjects, on a rolling basis, throughout January 2021.
We've published details of the changes to visiting assessment arrangements for Dance, Drama, Gàidhlig, Modern Languages, and Music assessments at Higher, and Advanced Higher level in session 2020-21.
Copy of the update issued to schools, colleges and local authorities (Heads of Centre, SQA Co-ordinators, Directors of Education, Heads of Education and Quality Improvement Officers) on Monday 02 November.
The Deputy First Minister has announced a number of measures for the awarding of National Courses at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher in 2020-21.
The First Minister's announcement on 19 January 2021 confirmed that remote learning will continue until at least mid-February. Given this announcement the National Qualifications 2021 Group is overseeing changes to the alternative certification model and associated timeline that was announced in December
Information on the approach agreed by the HNVQ 2021 Group for alternative assessment in 2020-21 for Higher National and Vocational Qualifications
Update from the National Qualifications 2021 Group which includes the Association of Directors of Education Scotland (ADES), Colleges Scotland, Education Scotland, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), School Leaders Scotland (SLS), the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Scottish Government.
SQA responds to the letter issued by the Scottish Parliament's Education & Skills Committee of 20 August 2020.
The Deputy First Minister has asked SQA to pause publication of outcomes of our consultations on National Courses in session 2020-21 until after publication of the Priestley Review.
More than 130,000 young people across Scotland are about to receive the results for their National Qualifications, courses, certificates, and awards.
SQA staff and their families, and representatives from Who Cares? Scotland and MCR Pathways, have congratulated care-experienced young people on their achievements today
The Scottish Qualifications Authority announces the results for National Courses - National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher and a range of vocational qualifications for 2020.
SQA publishes the revised results for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses for 2020, following the Ministerial Direction issued by the Deputy First Minister on Tuesday 11 August.
SQA is launching two consultations to gather feedback on modifications to qualifications and adjustments to the 2021 exam timetable.
SQA and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) are committed to supporting learners who are undertaking a Foundation Apprenticeship, at this exceptionally difficult time.
Everyone at SQA fully acknowledges the strength of feeling about last week's results among individual learners, their parents and carers - and among wider colleagues in the education system.
As the Deputy First Minister has outlined in Parliament today, through a Ministerial direction SQA will change the previous approach to certification this year and instead award candidate results based solely on the estimates provided by schools and colleges. The results of those learners who were awarded a higher grade during the process will also be maintained.
SQA responds to the letter issued Scottish Parliament's Education and Skills Committee, published on 15 June 2020.
SQA provides a short update on the work we are doing to make alternative arrangements for the delivery of our qualifications for the 2020-21 session.
