S4 Achievement Counts

1. S4 Achievement Counts There is a vast range of qualifications – often employers or others do not fully understand the level at which your qualifications sit. It is your responsibility to be able to make this clear. The following information will help you do just that!

2. Please raise your hand if you know and understand the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework

3. Why are you learning this? The SCQF Framework can help you can gain a better understanding of qualifications in Scotland and plan your future learning. Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Colleges, universities and employers use the SCQF Framework.

4. World of Work • Watch the following clip about the world of work and think about the key factors required to be successful in employment. • http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/the-world-of-work/4848.html While watching the video, make a note of the key factors required to be successful in work.

5. Activity 1 – in groups • In your group arrange the cards in the following format to indicate the importance of key factors required to be successful in employment. (1 being the most important and 6 being the least) Are the important factors all covered? Add anything you think that is missing. 1 2 2 3 6 5 4 6

6. Achievement Counts Leaflet & SCQF Framework Hovering over the Framework will provide further information. The Framework makes it easier to describe, compare and understand qualifications some you may be unfamiliar with. It is designed to help you make learning choices and recognise other areas of your learning which can help your personal development and goals for the future. Interactive Framework

7. Activity 2 – in groups • Discuss the case study given to your group. • Complete the table and answer the questions using the leaflet and the SCQF framework. • Feedback your findings to the rest of your class.

8. The SCQF levels are detailed in your SQA certificate. The next few slides will explain your certificate and help you understand the Framework in relation to your own progress.

9. SCQF levels detailed for your qualifications

10. ABOUT YOUR RESULTSNATIONAL COURSES Standard Grades A grade is awarded for the Overall Course and to the individual Elements of Standard Grade. The grades are awarded at three levels: Grades 1 & 2 = Credit level Grades 3 & 4 = General level Grades 5 & 6 = Foundation level Grade 7 = Course completed Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher Grades are awarded at A, B, C and D for Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher Courses. If you entered for a Course and did not achieve one of these grades, details of this Course will appear in the dialogue box on the letter that accompanies your certificate. Some National Courses, Access 2, Access 3 and Skills for Work, do not have grades but any that you have achieved will be listed beside other Courses or Standard Grades. If you didn’t achieve the complete set of National Units required for the Course, any Units that you have achieved, and the results of your exam will be listed on the SQC.

11. ABOUT YOUR RESULTS GROUP AWARDS These qualifications are made up of groups of Units and/or Courses and will appear under the National Group Awards or Customised Group Awards sections of your SQC. The Units and/or Courses which made up the Group Award will also be shown. An award of distinction can be achieved for a Scottish Baccalaureate. UNITS There are four types of Unit available – National, Higher National, SVQ and Customised. Only Units that have been passed will appear on your SQC. For the Interdisciplinary Projects which belong to Scottish Baccalaureates and for Higher National Graded Units, the grades awarded are A, B and C. The results for these qualifications will be listed in the Grade column on both the Summary of attainment and the Detailed record of attainment.

12. SCQF Level Date of certification Course grade achieved Course title and codes SCQF Credit Points Points are only given to the Units and the External Assessments that make up a Course or Group Award Units that contribute to Course

13. Summary of National Units achieved not contributing to a course award Unit title and reference codes

14. This page of your certificate is your Core Skills Profile and your SCQF Profile. • Your profiles are generated automatically from your results. • Core Skills are the five skills that are important for work. They are built into many Courses and Units, but not always at the same level as the Course or Unit itself – instead they’re built in at a level needed to pass the Course or Unit. • The Core Skills profile shown on your certificate shows the SCQF level you’ve achieved in each of the different Core Skills components. The highest possible level for Core Skills is level 6.

15. Core Skill Component achieved SCQF Level Date of Certification Cumulative SCQF Credit Points

16. Watch – The World is Changing Fast http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqw-n0 uAOpA&feature=related • It’s all about the journey, not the outcome. ~ Carl Lewis (American Athlete) • Remember ‘Achievement Counts!’

17. Please raise your hand if you feel that you now know and understand the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework