Exam bosses plan new system to give grades if tests axed
PUPILS will again be awarded qualifications in the event of cancelled exams, under plans being drawn up by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
Teaching unions believe the pandemic has caused so much disruption that it would not be fair to have pupils sit exams.
Next year’s National 5s have already been cancelled, with grades based on coursework and teacher assessments, and this month Education Secretary John Swinney is expected to announce a decision on next year’s Highers.
However, in a move that has sparked speculation that Highers will not go ahead in their traditional format, the SQA is now working out plans for awarding marks if pupils do not sit the exams. It is hoping to avoid a repetition of this summer’s fiasco when marks
‘Contingency plan is being developed’
were awarded and then later significantly altered.
Within the next few days the SQA is expected to announce details of the marking system for National 5s, with one insider revealing it will see random sampling of work from pupils across the country to ensure consistency of grades.
The insider said the SQA was ‘looking to publish something on the Alternative Certification Model for National 5s in the coming week’, and was also working on ‘similar contingency plans in the event that Highers and Advanced Highers are cancelled’.
Jim Thewliss, general secretary of School Leaders Scotland, wanted ‘certainty over whether they are going ahead or not’, adding: ‘The sooner we get that the better’.
Yesterday the SQA said: ‘Plans are continuing in preparation for Higher and Advanced Higher exams starting on May 10, 2021.’
However, it added: ‘A clear contingency plan is being developed.’