Qualifications Update Charles O’Donnell CfE Liaison Manager

Scottish Qualifications National Qualifications Advanced Higher Higher National 5 National 4 National 3 National 2 National 1

Skills Greater focus on skills development Skills for learning, life and work: Literacy Numeracy Skills for health and well-being Employability, enterprise and citizenship Thinking skills 22 QGs 53 VGs 21 VGs with IACCA 9 VGs with Visiting

Summary of Methods of Assessments National 4 (35 Courses) National 5 Higher Assignment 26 25 Case Study - 1 Performance 3 7 8 Portfolio 2 Practical Activity 6 Project 4 QP/Test 38 42

Course Structures Note: National 4 is not graded and is Pass/Fail. This supports stronger progression from National 3 courses which do not have AV. National 5 is a step up again and is graded A-D. This has coursework and an exam which prepares candidates for Higher.

Equality Act - Literacy Units In relation to the National Literacy Units at all levels: exemption from demonstrating any of the four assessed skills of reading, writing, listening or talking will not be a reasonable adjustment using human readers and scribes will not be reasonable adjustments where reading and writing abilities are being explicitly assessed. www.sqa.org.uk/equalityact SQA required to make reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates to remove the effects of a “substantial disadvantage” in an assessment. A reasonable adjustment may be unique to the individual candidate and may not be a commonly requested assessment arrangement. “Reasonableness” depends on the needs of the disabled candidate. An adjustment might not be reasonable if it affects the security of the assessment or affects the competence or ability being assessed. SQA has published these specifications on our website www.sqa.org.uk/equalityact In making the specifications, SQA has taken account of the need to: minimise the extent to which disabled candidates are disadvantaged in attaining the qualification because of their disabilities, secure that the qualification gives a reliable indication of the knowledge, skills and understanding of the candidate, maintain public confidence in the qualification. Candidates CAN use a human reader and scribe throughout the English Course but cannot use one when showing their ability to read or write in the Literacy Unit.

Assessment Support 2012/13 Subject Specific Events Unit Assessment, package 1 Unit Assessment, package 2 Unit Assessment, package 3 Finalised Specimen Question Papers Finalised Specimen Coursework

What’s New? New Courses – computing science; design & manufacture; engineering; music technology; environmental science; and lifeskills maths. New practical Courses – cookery; electronics; fabric & textile technology; metalworking; and woodworking. New Awards – religion, beliefs & values; wellbeing; modern languages for life and work

College and University Perspectives NC Hairdressing (Level 5)-Kilmarnock College Three relevant Standard Grade General passes(National 4) or a pass in a relevant NC course at SCQF Level 4 or equivalent. A place on the course is subject to an interview process. Glasgow University The University of Glasgow has not, in recent years, referred to Standard Grades or Intermediate 2 results, when assessing an applicant’s candidacy for entering a specific course. This will remain the case with the introduction of the National 4 and 5 Qualifications.

More Information SQA More information can be found on our website: www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/59033.html Twitter: @sqanews BBC Bitesize will also be working with us to produce materials to support pupil revision of new qualifications Engage For Education :www.engageforeducation.org Parentzone is organised into distinct and user-friendly areas covering issues that affect parents during the different stages of their children's education. www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk

Contact details: Email: donna.vivers@sqa.org.uk