What are National Qualifications?
The future of National Qualifications within Curriculum for Excellence
National Qualifications are of key significance within the senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence, where all learners are prepared to achieve qualifications to the highest level of individual capability. The senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence is from S4 to S6, as S3 becomes part of the entitlement to a broad general education in preparation for learning that leads to qualifications. Every young person is entitled to continue to develop the four capacities in the senior phase with emphasis on literacy, numeracy, health and wellbeing, skills for work and achievement.
New National Qualifications
On Thursday 11 June 2009 Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, announced the future arrangements for Scotland’s National Qualifications, which will come into effect from 2012/13.
Based on the findings from the nationwide Scottish Government consultation (2008), the new changes will deliver qualifications that reflect Scotland's new approach to teaching and learning with a more streamlined system, which is simpler for pupils, parents and employers to understand.
In summary, the new arrangements include:
Introduction of a new qualification to be offered at SCQF levels 4 and 5 from 2013/14 - National 4 and National 5. This will replace both Standard Grade (General and Credit) and Intermediate 1 and 2, whilst reflecting the best features of the present arrangements. (Standard Grade Foundation level will be removed, with Access 3 providing an appropriate replacement.)
Introduction of new qualifications in literacy and numeracy at SCQF levels 3, 4 and 5 from 2012/13 - National Literacy and National Numeracy.
The existing Access, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications will be retained as points of stability, and reviewed to ensure they fully reflect Curriculum for Excellence.
Word file: Parliamentary statement on the next generation of National Qualifications - 11 June 2009 (40 KB)Related links
Curriculum for Excellence
Scottish Government - National Qualifications
National Qualifications Steering Group
Find out how this Scottish Government group is involved in Curriculum for Excellence.