On Monday 4 January, the First Minister announced that, as part of a national lockdown, schools across Scotland will operate on a remote learning basis until at least the beginning of February. Following this announcement, the National Qualifications 2021 Group has met to consider the impact this will have on schools delivering National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses under the alternative certification model.
The National Qualifications Group is working through a range of scenarios and is considering any potential flexibilities, should they be needed, for the alternative certification model that will be used to award your child’s courses this year. This may include extending the date for when schools and colleges send provisional results to SQA.
Learning and teaching
The priority for schools and colleges during January should be to maximise your child’s learning and teaching time. Given the move to remote learning, assessment of your child’s evidence cannot be undertaken unless they have been taught the foundations of their course. This will impact on the timing of assessment, which can take place later in the session.
Keeping you updated
Schools and colleges will receive regular updates on any newly published guidance and assessment resources which will support your child’s teacher or lecturer to gather evidence, consistently apply the national standard and make accurate assessment judgements.
The National Qualifications 2021 Group is continuing to work through the details of the 2021 alternative certification model, including appropriate contingencies, and will provide further information as soon as possible.
Stay up to date on 2021 National Qualifications.
National Qualifications 2021 Group
The National Qualifications 2021 Group is represented by the Association of Directors of Education in 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), the Scottish Government, National Parent Forum of Scotland, and the Scottish Youth Parliament.
