Care-experienced young people are amongst almost 137,000 candidates across Scotland who are today receiving their results certificates from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
SQA has marked the achievements of care-experienced candidates – in what has been a challenging year for all learners – through a congratulatory video message from SQA staff and their families, the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, and representatives from Who Cares? Scotland and MCR Pathways.
SQA took this virtual approach as a way to recognise the successes of care-experienced candidates in their SQA courses and awards, during the ongoing pandemic. In previous years, SQA has held a special celebration event, at which First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP has attended to present them with their Scottish Qualifications Certificates.
As proud corporate parents, SQA works closely with Who Cares? Scotland and MCR Pathways to help care-experienced young people enjoy the positive futures they deserve.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, said: “I’d like to congratulate our care experienced young people for their hard work, resilience and achievements during what has been a very challenging school year. The pandemic caused significant disruption to all areas of our lives, including education, and I know some of you will have faced additional challenges.
“Every young person deserves the right to fulfil their potential and to have the right support to help them achieve that. As you plan your onward journey, whether that’s staying in education, taking up training or moving into the workforce, I wish you every success.”
In her video message to care-experienced candidates, SQA Chief Executive, and Scotland’s Chief Examining Officer, Fiona Robertson, said: “Everyone at SQA wants to say a huge congratulations to you on this very important day and well done on your hard work in what has been an exceptional year. I’m sorry we can’t meet in person, but I hope you can find ways to celebrate your achievements. Hopefully we’ll be able to meet in person next year!”
Chloe Dobson, Training and Education Manager (Corporate Parenting) at Who Cares? Scotland said: “Everyone at Who Cares? Scotland sends their congratulations to all Care Experienced candidates who have had confirmation of their results today – we feel incredibly proud of what you have achieved, especially in such challenging circumstances, over the past school year. We hope you feel equally proud of yourself and look to the future and what you can achieve next.”
Fay Gingell, Deputy CEO and Director of Education & Operations at MCR Pathways, said: “Huge Congratulations to every young person for your exam results this year from the MCR team. It has been a year like no other; despite the many challenges of Covid, your motivation, commitment and resilience have shone throughout. Your hard work and dedication has shown no bounds and your mentors, Pathways Coordinators and everyone at MCR are proud of what you’ve achieved. We hope you are looking forward to the next stage of your learning or beginning your career. You’re all going to do great!”
If you would like to talk though your results with anyone from Who Cares? Scotland, you can call them on 0330 107 7540, email help@whocaresscotland.org, or find more information on their website.
If you would like to contact MCR Pathways, you can call them on 0141 221 0200, email info@mcrpathways.org, or find more information on their website.
Find out more about SQA’s corporate parenting commitments.
