New National Qualifications
On Thursday 11 June Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, announced the future arrangements for Scotland’s National Qualifications.
The new changes, which will come into effect from 2012/13, 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.
Related documents
Word file: Summary of changes to National Qualifications (31 KB)
Related links
Scottish Government News Release: New National Qualifications
Scottish Government website: National Qualifications
Curriculum for Excellence website: Next Generation of National Qualifications in Scotland
Learning and Teaching Scotland: National Qualifications Online