Curriculum for Excellence: the structure and design of new National Qualifications in Scotland

2. Curriculum for Excellence: the structure and design of new National Qualifications in Scotland Jacqui Murray CfE Liaison Team Leader Jacqui.murray@sqa.org.uk

3. Purpose of session This session will cover: • Information about the design of the new National Qualifications in Scotland • Timescales • The development process • Keeping informed

4. National Qualifications

5. Qualification Aims • Breadth of learning • Seamless transition from experiences and outcomes • Clear and smooth progression • Inclusive, coherent, easy to understand • Less time spent on assessment for certification   • More focus on skills development • Assessment supports, motivates and challenges learners • More scope for personalisation and choice • High standards, credibility and relevance

6. How will the new qualifications be assessed? • Courses and Units at National 1 to National 4 • assessed by teachers and lecturers • assessed as pass or fail • Quality assured by SQA • Courses at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher • include Units assessed by teachers and lecturers • Course Assessment – usually a question paper and/or coursework marked by SQA • Graded A to D or ‘No Award’

7. Assessment • Courses are Unit based - Units assessed pass/fail within centres – as at present • Assessment appropriate to subject and level, including case-studies, practical work, performance, project work and exams • To be awarded the Course, learners must provide evidence which meets the requirements of all of the Units and a Course assessment (National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher) • If a learner fails a Course assessment, they will receive credit for the Units that have achieved

8. National 4 Geography • 3 Units • Geography: Physical Environments • Geography: Human Environments • Geography: Global Issues • Added Value Unit • Geography Assignment

9. National 5 Chemistry • 3 Units • Chemical Changes and Structure • Nature’s Chemistry • Chemistry in Society • Course Assessment • Question Paper • Assignment

10. CfE Qualifications implementation timelines Session 2012/13 last Standard Grade examinations develop Assessment Support (N2 – N5) Publish Draft and final Advanced Higher documents Session 2013/14 first new National Qualifications (N1 to N5), dual run with existing Access and Intermediates develop Assessment Support (Higher) Session 2014/15 first new Higher qualifications, dual run with existing Access, Intermediates and Highers develop Assessment Support (Advanced Higher) Session 2015/16 first Advanced Higher qualifications

11. Assessment Support Schedule 2012/13

12. Development Process • Unprecedented levels of engagement • Publish draft qualification documents • Teacher and lecturer involvement • Parent, employer and university involvement

13. New Awards • More ways to demonstrate achievement • Shorter than ‘traditional’ Courses • Available at various levels • Personal Achievement • Personal Development • Modern Languages for Life and Work • Wellbeing • Religion, Belief and Values

14. Other types of National Qualifications • Skills for Work Courses • encourage learners to become familiar with the world of work • National Progression Awards and National Certificates • assess skills and knowledge in specialist vocational areas • designed to prepare learners for employment, career development or progression to further study at HNC/D level

15. Further Information www.sqa.org.uk/cfeforparents www.sqa.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence www.sqa.org.uk/myalerts www.facebook.com/ScottishQualificationsAuthority Twitter – @sqanews YouTube – www.youtube.com/user/SQAonline Speak to your school