Pupils have their say on exam guidance

Youngsters joined forces with qualifications chiefs

School pupils on work experience with the Scottish Qualifications Authority have been given the chance to suggest exam guidance improvements.

A group of S3 students, all aged 14, from Renfrew High School were asked to review two key SQA documents – Your Coursework, and Your Exams.

These provide more than 140,000 school candidates a year with vital information about the assessments they will complete over the course of fourth, fifth and sixth year in secondary school.

The brief the pupils were given asked them to review all aspects of the publications; from the information they contained, to the language that was used in them and how the documents were designed and presented.

They were also asked to suggest how the information could be made more useful and what could make the documents more likely to be read by young people.

Teacher Caroline McColl, who organised the placement, said: “We wanted to give the pupils as realistic an experience of starting at a new job as possible.

“They received an induction session as any new start at SQA would. Then they were asked to take on a project and develop ideas as to how to improve the two documents.

“The pupils were split into two groups and asked to get on with the tasks they were given and report back their suggestions at the end of the placement.”

SQA spokeswoman Kerry McMillan said it was great to get the young people’s input.

“We wanted to review these publications, but in a meaningful way that sought the views of the young people they are meant for.

“So we were delighted when the school asked us to take part in their Developing Young Workforce initiative where pupils visit the workplace and take part in real projects.

“The nine pupils we hosted over the two days were able to look at the activities we gave them, research the issues they found, and present their findings and recommendations.

“I’d like to thank all the pupils involved – they have given us some really useful feedback.

“They have challenged the way we do things, and asked us to consider new ways to reach out to them and their peer-group going forward.”

Pupils Josh Kirk and Rachel Craig were delighted to get involved in discussions.

Josh said: “It was a really good couple of days. We didn’t know much about the placement, only that we had to make our own way into Glasgow to the address we were given and be there for a certain time.

“Everyone we met was really friendly, and it was good to be asked our opinions.”

Rachel was surprised to find out that she would be working at SQA.

She added: “I didn’t expect to be working at SQA, all I thought they did was mark exams.

“I was nervous when we had to present our suggestions, but everyone thought we had some good ideas, and the SQA staff were really interested in our own experiences, and what we had to say.”

Headteacher Billy Burke is proud of the contribution his pupils made.

He told us: “This has been a really valuable experience for our young people.

“This Business Project has given them the opportunity to collaborate effectively in a team, manage their own time and resources, and conduct and present research that supports their findings.

“The fact this is happening on live publications, rather than just practice documents, makes the whole experience all the more worthwhile.

“The pupils have made a valid contribution and I look forward to seeing how their views and findings will be taken forward.”