SQA Curriculum Area Update Seminar: Mathematics, Science and Technologies

The focus of this seminar is the policy and development process for New National Qualification and in particular the development of new qualifications in Mathematics, Science and Technologies.

New National Qualifications will be implemented from 2012/13 onwards. The new Courses will offer schools and colleges the opportunity to design programmes of learning which offer increased flexibility in structure, delivery and assessment, and provide more time for learning, more focus on skills and application of learning, and more scope for personalisation and choice.

To ensure that each qualification is of the highest quality, the process of developing them has been designed to be open and transparent, and allow for extensive engagement over the whole period of the development.

By September 2011, Overviews of Qualification Reports (with Suites of Courses) draft Rationales and Course Summaries and draft Course and Unit specifications will be have been published.

This session gives a unique opportunity to hear about thinking at the centre of the policy and development process.

It will provide an update on new and revised qualifications in the Sciences curriculum area including Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics and Science. There will be an opportunity to find out more about Courses in these areas at Access 3, National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

It will also provide an update on new and revised qualifications in the Technologies curriculum area including Computing and Information Science, Graphic Communication, Design and Manufacture, Engineering Science, Practical Electronics, Practical Woodworking and Practical Metalworking. There will be an opportunity to find out more about Courses in these areas at Access 3, National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

Finally the session will provide an update on new and revised qualifications in the Mathematics curriculum area including Mathematics and Lifeskills Mathematics. There will be an opportunity to find out more about Courses in these areas at Access 3, National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

Derek Middleton, Qualifications Development Manager, Scottish Qualifications Authority

Derek joined SQA as a Qualifications Manager in the NQ Team in 2004 from his post of Principal Teacher of Computing at Grange Academy in Kilmarnock.

During his time at SQA he has had wide experience in managing and developing qualifications. As a Qualifications Manager his remit covered Computing, Product Design, Graphic Communication, Craft and Design, Technological Studies and Practical Craft Skills qualifications.

Since he joined the Curriculum for Excellence Team in January 2009 he has been responsible for the development of qualifications in the Technologies Curriculum area.

Additional speaker: Alison Plummer, Qualifications Development Manager, Scottish Qualifiations Authority