Senior pupils told to stay away from school by Swinney

Education Secretary John Swinney last night told all senior pupils not to attend school to complete coursework this week, amid confusion over the weekend.

The call came after the Scottish Qualifications Authority’s unprecedented decision to cancel the 2020 exam diet, with Fiona Robertson, SQA chief executive and Scotland’s chief examining officer, stressing that an alternative certification model would be worked up in due course.

Many schools had formulated plans for S4 to S6 pupils to return to school today to finish off work towards their final grades.

However, the SQA confirmed yesterday that priority for childcare would be given to children of the most critical key workers and the most vulnerable children – and that no young person with coursework to complete should attend school.

In line with social distancing guidance, where coursework can be completed remotely, schools have been told to put their own arrangements in place and the SQA will set out certification arrangements soon.

Mr Swinney reiterated that advice yesterday, adding: “Given Friday’s further restrictions on social distancing we need to take more action to keep numbers in schools to an absolute minimum. S4-6 pupils should not attend school to complete coursework.

“Grateful to all schools for their support to young people.”

Ms Robertson said on Friday everyone at the SQA is “fully committed” to delivering for Scotland’s young people and was keen to have as much information on the achievements of learners as possible.

“Everyone here at SQA will do their utmost, with the support of the education system, to ensure that their hard work is rightly and fairly recognised, and allows them to proceed to further learning or work,” she said.