Working with SQA

As you may know may, the “subject team” within SQA comprises me, Emma and Helen. We are collectively responsible for developing and maintaining vocational Computing qualifications such as NPA Cyber Security and HNC Computing. We’re easily contactable — either by email or instant messaging. Other subject teams are responsible for National Qualifications (such as Higher Computing Science) and digital qualifications (such as PC Passport).

Of course, we can’t do our job without you. We need practitioners to help us develop qualifications, maintain qualifications, produce support materials, and carry out quality control.

The Sector Panel is responsible for providing strategic advice about what should be included in the portfolio of qualifications. This meets once per year but we’re in regular contact via Teams. Qualification Development Teams (QDTs) are responsible for designing and developing qualifications. These are set-up and stood-down as needed. During a development, a QDT would typically meet 3-5 times (on Teams). The Qualification Support Team (QST) is responsible for maintaining qualifications, which included providing advice about support materials and considering changes to qualifications. The QST meets annually. Quality control is carried out by a team of External Verifiers (EVs), who “visit” (it’s done virtually) centres to support their delivery of qualifications.

Although none of these positions is paid (EVs are compensated for loss of time), each serves an important role and provides an opportunity for you to influence computer education in Scotland. We’re actively looking for new members for the Sector Panel and Qualifications Support Team, so please contact Helen if you want to know more about how you can help.