Review of National Qualifications announced

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop made a statement to the Scottish Parliament this morning (24 April) about changes proposed to the examinations and qualifications system in Scotland.  

The main points of this announcement are:  

• Standard Grades at General and Credit level and Intermediate 1 and 2 are to be replaced by a new general qualification to cover SCQF levels 4-5. 

• Standard Grade Foundation level to be replaced by Access 3.

• Literacy and numeracy qualification to be introduced in S4.

• National qualifications will be based on coursework with external examination.

• Higher and Advanced Higher to remain as key points of stability in the system.

• Advanced Highers to be an essential for the Science and Languages Baccalaureates with more details to be announced later in the year.

• Content for all examinations to be reviewed and updated in line with Curriculum for Excellence.

• Children currently in P6 will be the first pupils to be affected, with new qualifications to be in place for 2012-13.

• No need for pupils expected to achieve Higher to take lower level qualifications.

• Pupils will be able to study for Highers over a longer period of up to two years with a Winter diet introduced to offer flexibility.

A consultation process will be launched between June to October to allow the education profession, parents, the further education sector and employers to comment and reflect on the proposals.

Consultation on future arrangements for National Qualifications (full transcription of the announcement).

Scottish Government News Release: Focus on literacy and numeracy