Pupils feel pressure

There may be no exams in high schools this year but, according to one councillor, it doesn’t feel that way to some teenagers or parents.

Bathgate Conservative councillor, Charles Kennedy, speaking at the Education Quality Assurance Committee, said: “Based on anecdotal evidence rather than personal experience, and on social media and also from constituents, children are coming home with some serious concerns that they are being examined when they were told this was purely going to be an assessment.

“They haven’t studied for examinations but they are now being put in an examination situation. I’m just wondering if that is true?”

Catrina Hatch, interim head of education (secondary), said: “We have been very clear across our schools this is absolutely not an exam diet.

“We are not seeking to replicate an exam diet. That would not be fair for our young people.”

Mrs Hatch added: “This year everything is based on having robust evidence up to standards that we use as part of results.

“It’s not based on one piece of evidence, it’s on several pieces of evidence.

“As young people come back into school they will start into a period of assessment that is taking place during class time. The schools have done a lot of communication with young people and the parents to explain the situation.”

Mrs Hatch conceded: “It is difficult. There’s no getting away from the fact the young people will feel a bit of pressure in terms of their assessments, however our schools are all maximising the time available to them. We are very much individualising the approach to young people, using time from now right up to the end of June to gather as much assessment evidence as we need to do.”

The 2021 National Qualifications examination diet has been cancelled because of Covid-19. In its place, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has introduced the Alternative Certification Model (ACM). This means that results are based on assessment evidence submitted by young people.

The ACM sets out clear roles and responsibilities for all involved in the process of devising pupils’ results including SQA themselves, the local authority and school staff at all levels.

Schools must submit provisional results for every pupil sitting SQA qualifications to SQA by June 25. Pupils will receive their results from SQA on Tuesday, August 10.

A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “All West Lothian secondary schools are engaging with their young people and their parents/carers over the SQA assessment model in place this year.

“This ensures that everyone understands that evidence from classwork and teacher assessment will determine grades awarded this year.”