SQA for parents Session 2017-2018

Presentation Policy – why? Ensure that pupils are presented and achieve success at an appropriate level. Provide clear instructions and information regarding the SQA process to ensure consistency for pupils. Ensure equity and openness in procedures. Manage course presentation within SQA timeline

Presentation Policy - Process Options SQA course entry Internal assessments Assessment arrangements Verification Monitoring pupil progress and communication with parents/carers Candidate concern letter Course presentation amendment letter

National 5 - changes to course & presentation implications Removal of unit assessments (course work and exam adapted to compensate) Changes to notional grade boundaries (40% -49% Award D) Only N4 / Recognising Positive Achievement in exceptional circumstances Now need to pass all unit assessments at N4 to gain “fall back” award Hard to capture N4 units on N5 path in some subjects, increased workload concerns Likely hood of no award if pupil does not attain 40% + at N5 Still a need for robust and regular assessment to measure progress and identify next steps in learning Communication crucial

SQA key dates for schools 2017-18 Early November: closing date for course entry information January: verification round 1 begins End January: closing dates for adapted paper/digital paper requests February -May: visiting exam period Early March: verification round 2 begins Mid March: course work deadlines commence End March: deadline for entry withdrawals and changes of level Mid April: closing date for assessment arrangements requests Early-mid April: receive SQA exam stationary and question papers 30 April – 4 June: SQA exam diet

SQA key dates for parents and pupils 2017-18 August – March: Internal assessment & coursework Friday 10th Nov: S4 Comment reports Thu 23rd November: S4 Parents Evening Fri 24th November: S5/6 Comment reports Wed 6th Dec: S5/6 Parents Evening 15th-23rd January: Mock assessment period Feb – May: Visiting exam period/internally assessed components Fri 8th/16th Feb (TBC): Communication/recommended change of level Mon 19th Feb: S4/5/6 Tracking reports Fri 16th-23rd March: Communication/ recommended change of level

Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Requests An exceptional circumstance is, by definition, exceptional. It is a circumstance which is unplanned and fundamentally affects a candidate’s ability to attend or perform in an externally-assessed timetabled exam. Exceptional circumstances could include, but are not limited to: medical condition bereavement domestic crisis exceptional absence

Exceptional Circumstances Consideration Request Supports candidates who have been unable to attend an externally-assessed timetabled examination, or whose performance in the examination may have been fundamentally affected as a result of an incident beyond their control. Only available for externally-assessed timetabled examinations, not for other Course components. Existing arrangements for non-question paper components allow flexibility for candidates who are unable to meet submission dates or attend a scheduled visiting assessment.

ECCR - Eligibility As all SQA awards are based on evidence of demonstrated attainment, only requests where such evidence exists can be progressed. Pupils must have: have experienced a valid exceptional circumstance completed all the compulsory components had a course estimate submitted Robust supporting alternative evidence available

ECCR - Process Even in an exceptional circumstance, SQA would always encourage candidates to do so where possible School is informed of exceptional circumstance that has fundamentally affected attendance or performance during the externally timetabled examination School has 10 days to submit alternative evidence demonstrating attainment of the pupil, generated prior to exam SQA reserves the right to refuse a request that it does not consider involves examination exceptional circumstances particularly when mitigating actions have been taken on the day

Post Results services What is a marking review? Consideration of a candidate’s materials submitted to the SQA to ensure that: All the parts have been marked The marking is in line with the national standard The marks have been totalled correctly The correct result has been entered on the SQA’s software

Criteria Meldrum Academy may consider a post-results service request if: It holds clear and compelling evidence that there is a reasonable possibility that an error may have occurred with the marking or totalling of a candidate’s script. That a candidate’s final grade is markedly at odds with the totality of assessment evidence gathered throughout the year and is out of line with the attainment of other candidates with similar profiles. Or one section is at odds with the rest of it. It is not sufficient for a candidate’s final award to be below the level anticipated of any estimate submitted to the SQA or that achieved in a mock assessment   Are any grades particularly out of line with expectation? Is the candidate’s performance at least 2 bands different from school’s estimate? Or are there concerns about the marking of one component of the course e.g. coursework? How accurate were the class's and cohort's estimates? Was the candidate’s estimate based on a range of evidence (not just mock assessment performance)?  Have changes to grade boundaries been taken into account in internal assessments and considered when generating working grades and estimates. What has been the national pattern year on year? Is this reflected in school? How does this candidate's mark/component mark e.g. coursework compare with how others in the class and cohort performed against their estimate Is there a clear discrepancy between the final grade awarded to the candidate and others of similar profile? Have you compared candidates’ component grades against the national average. Does this identify any patterns or trends? Have you considered how well the candidate did in their other exams? Any patterns or trends?  What is the risk that the candidate's grade could go down?

Key websites www.npfs.org.uk www.sqa.org.uk

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