Valerie Innes, Head of Next Generation Qualifications and Standards reflects on the past year and looks forward to the next phase of the project.
I joined SQA in May 2021 on a two-year secondment from the University of the Highlands and Islands. I first engaged with the Next Generation Higher National (NextGen: HN) project as a member of the External Reference and Steering Group, and working on this project seemed like the next naural next step.
My one-year anniversary at SQA has now passed, and this feels a logical point to pause, and present personal reflection on my experiences. Despite having much to consider, I think the most significant aspect within the project development for me has been sector engagement. Working on NextGen: HN is a privilege, and I’ve been blown away by the amount of expertise harnessed by this project.
The engagement with and commitment to our work, both within SQA and across the sector has been outstanding and I am grateful for every contribution.
- We’ve engaged 13 centres in the development and delivery of qualifications.
- Our Qualification Design Teams (QDT) are led by Qualification Managers and supported by Qualification Officers, Subject Implementation Managers and New Product Development Managers. QDT membership encompasses pilot centres, learners, further education, industry, employer/training providers, higher education, professional associations, regulatory bodies, appointees, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
- We have 18 stands of activity which support project development and enhancement. Individual strands are led by a department specialist and supported by a working group which harness expertise from across the sector
- The External Reference and Steering Group is chaired by the Principal of Dundee and Angus College and is comprised of representatives from several colleges and education training providers. The representatives include; learner representation, College Development Network, Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council, the Scottish Government, the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership and Universities Scotland.
- The NextGen: HN webinar series that took place in the first half of the year was well received with hundreds of attendees from across the sector.
- Practitioners are engaging with our library of NextGen SQA Academy modules, which now include; What is NextGen: HN; NextGen: HN Grading; Meta-skills in Next Generation Higher National Courses; NextGen: HN Pilot Centre Induction and NextGen: HN Digital – Stellar.
- Delivery of our first NextGen qualification, HNC television, successfully completed its first year of pilot delivery in two centres: Edinburgh College and New College Lanarkshire.
I know I haven’t listed everything but that just isn’t possible within a short blog post. I hope these examples provide an insight into the engagement with and contribution to NextGen: HN.
I expect the 2022/23 academic year to be just as productive, as we focus on implementing the NextGen approach on a business-as-usual basis as soon as possible.
- Pilot delivery is rolling out at pace, and additional qualifications have now entered the development phase.
- Our programme review will ensure we understand the best approach to build capacity and capability within the sector.
- Evaluation of prototype qualifications will involve a pre-launch evaluation, engaging a range of stakeholders and a series of focus groups with each pilot centre. Focus groups will include a series of learner specific sessions, allowing us to harness the learner voice.
- We will continue to offer opportunities to pilot centres, encouraging contribution to specific NextGen enhancement activities, an example of which being the Stellar pilot. We are offering pilot centres access to Stellar, a digital tool for the summative assessment of creative work, to test and provide feedback on Stellar and inform the next steps in our NextGen activity. This is part of our exploration of digital approaches and tools to support the various assessment models in NextGen – such as; project-based assessment, groupwork, self and peer assessment and assessment of meta-skills.
Although my reflections on my first year at SQA have been brief I’ve highlighted some examples of engagement opportunities within NextGen: HN and hopefully given a sense of just how many individuals, teams and organisations are contributing to this work.
You can continue to follow the NextGen journey via the NextGen:HN website. Our website provides access to our SQA Academy modules, events schedule and a rich source of project information.
I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to all who have worked on and engaged with NextGen: HN so far. Your work is seen and appreciated and I’m sure we all have an exciting year ahead.
