{"id":252,"date":"2021-02-25T16:20:07","date_gmt":"2021-02-25T16:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.qualifications.gov.scot\/2021\/?p=252"},"modified":"2021-02-25T16:20:07","modified_gmt":"2021-02-25T16:20:07","slug":"delivering-for-learners-national-5-higher-and-advanced-higher-results-2020-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.qualifications.gov.scot\/nationalqualifications\/delivering-for-learners-national-5-higher-and-advanced-higher-results-2020-21\/","title":{"rendered":"Delivering for learners \u2013 National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Results 2020-21"},"content":{"rendered":"

SQA understands that this is a very challenging time for learners, their parents and carers, school and college staff and training providers involved in delivering this year\u2019s National Qualifications. We thank all of you for your continuing hard work, dedication, understanding, and support.<\/p>\n

Everyone working at SQA and across the Scottish education system is committed to ensuring young people across the country have the opportunity to realise their potential and gain the results they deserve.<\/p>\n

After the Deputy First Minister cancelled the exams, he asked for an alternative certification model to be created. This is what teachers and lecturers will use to decide grades for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses. The National Qualifications 2021 Group* was set up to make sure that all parts of the education system develop the model together.<\/p>\n

\"Alternative
\nThis included consideration of the challenges and disruption to learning presented by the pandemic.<\/p>\n

We have outlined below what the alternative certification model means for your child.<\/p>\n

How results will be decided<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Teachers and lecturers will gather evidence of your child\u2019s performance in assessments measured against the published requirements for each subject. This evidence will be used by teachers and lecturers to determine your child\u2019s provisional results, which will be submitted to SQA in June.\u00a0 We have put in place guidance for schools and colleges to make sure the process they are using to gather and assess evidence is fair, and consistent for everyone.<\/p>\n

Focus on learning<\/strong><\/h3>\n

But first, the focus is on learning and teaching. We know this is not easy just now and time will be needed to ensure young people have a full understanding of their courses once they are back in the classroom. \u00a0To allow as much time as possible for that to take place, the National Qualifications 2021 Group has given schools and colleges more time to submit their provisional results.<\/p>\n

Minimising disruption<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In October, after a public consultation, SQA confirmed that a number of adjustments to this year\u2019s National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher courses would be put in place, to minimise the evidence requirements and introduce more flexibility for the gathering of evidence. SQA has also made subject specific guidance available to help teachers and lecturers gather evidence and determine your child\u2019s provisional grades. The guidance we produced for each subject outlines the key pieces of evidence and standards required for grades to be awarded.<\/p>\n

We have also published assessment resources \u2013 including question papers, and other materials for each subject \u2013 which give teachers and lecturers the flexibility they need to assess learners at times, and in ways that are appropriate to their needs.<\/p>\n

Ensuring fairness<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Significant effort has been made to ensure fairness is at the heart of the Alternative Certification Model, and SQA is working in partnership with the rest of the education system to make sure the national standard is applied consistently when determining provisional grades.<\/p>\n