Even exam bosses have doubts over new tests

THE body which organises schools exams has issued a stark warning about key tests for pupils.

John Swinney ordered changes to be made in the way that National 5 exams – the main qualifications for fourth-year pupils – are assessed.

But the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), which oversees exams, has admitted there is ‘concern’ about the changes.

SQA chief executive Dr Janet Brown fears there could be ‘potential unintended consequences’ and has said the implications ‘had not been fully recognised or understood by parts of the education system’.

In a veiled attack on the Education Secretary, she said there was a ‘pressing need’ for the Scottish Government and the education authorities ‘to identify mitigating actions to address these concerns’.

National 5 (N5) exams featured a greater element of continuous assessment, rather than only exams. But teachers complained the new system created an unmanageable workload.

As a result, Mr Swinney ordered reforms to reduce the number of assessments in time for next year.

But the Educational Institute of Scotland teaching union said teachers were worried they had not been given enough information about the changes. A spokesman said: ‘As yet, teachers have had only headline details of the changes.’

Minutes of the SQA’s latest management board meeting read: ‘Recent SQA engagement activity has made clear that the implications associated with the removal of units and their assessments had not been fully recognised or understood by parts of the education system, and there was a pressing need for the Scottish Government, Education Scotland and the SQA to identify mitigating actions to address these concerns.’

Liz Smith, Scottish Tory education spokesman, said: ‘There are growing concerns that N5 exams are failing too many of our kids. John Swinney and the education agencies have to take the blame.’

Tavish Scott, Scottish Lib Dem education spokesman, said: ‘Parents will be very concerned the national exam body is discussing the lack of understanding among teachers over crucial exams with the Government.’

Nicola Sturgeon promised to make cutting the gap in attainment between rich and poor pupils her priority. But after a decade of SNP rule, proportionately fewer youngsters from the most deprived parts of Scotland reach university than in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The minutes also show the SQA is facing a cash cut of between 5 and 10 per cent and warns Mr Swinney’s reforms will have ‘a significant impact on resources and budgets’.

An SQA spokesman said: ‘From April 28, we have started to publish course assessment material for all subjects at National 5 level ahead of the start of the next academic year.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘These changes will contribute to a reduced workload for teachers and young people.’

‘Failing too many of our children’