- Asked by: Margaret Smith, MSP for Edinburgh West, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 December 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 16 December 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the teaching unions regarding the number of subjects that pupils (a) can and (b) should be examined for in S4 under the new national qualifications system.
Answer
A number of teaching unions are represented on the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board that has agreed the general approach to curriculum structures set out in
Building the Curriculum 3: a framework for learning and teaching, and subsequent guidance on the senior phase.
The precise number and range of qualifications on offer, as well as when they are taken, will be a decision for schools to take in consultation with learners and parents. Several models developed by schools to illustrate emerging thinking on how the senior phase (S4-S6) could be delivered are available on the Curriculum for Excellence website, including case studies that illustrate how five to eight subjects can be taken. The website address is www.ltscotland.org.uk.
- Asked by: Margaret Smith, MSP for Edinburgh West, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 December 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 16 December 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given schools and local authorities regarding the number of subjects that it expects pupils to be examined for in S4 under the new national qualifications system.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38136 on 16 December 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
- Asked by: Margaret Smith, MSP for Edinburgh West, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 December 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 16 December 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what advice the Scottish Qualifications Authority has given schools and local authorities regarding the number of subjects that it expects pupils to be examined for in S4 under the new national qualifications system.
Answer
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is responsible for the awarding of qualifications. While it works closely with local authorities and schools around delivery of the qualifications, specific advice to local authorities on the number of subjects that pupils should be examined for is not a matter for SQA.
The precise number and range of qualifications on offer, as well as when they are taken, will be a decision for schools to take in consultation with learners and parents. Several models developed by schools to illustrate emerging thinking on how the senior phase (S4-S6) could be delivered are available on the Curriculum for Excellence website, including case studies that illustrate how five to eight subjects can be taken. SQA is part of the partnership that has been involved in quality assuring these models. The website address is www.ltscotland.org.uk.
- Asked by: Margaret Smith, MSP for Edinburgh West, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 December 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 16 December 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what feedback it has received from schools and local authorities regarding the number of subjects that they will allow pupils to be examined for in S4 under the new national qualifications system.
Answer
As is currently the case, schools and local authorities are not required to inform the Scottish Government of their plans for delivery of qualifications.
The precise number and range of qualifications on offer, as well as when they are taken, will be a decision for schools to take in consultation with learners and parents. Several models developed by schools to illustrate emerging thinking on how the senior phase (S4-S6) could be delivered are available on the Curriculum for Excellence website, including case studies that illustrate how five to eight subjects can be taken. The website address is www.ltscotland.org.uk.
- Asked by: Margaret Smith, MSP for Edinburgh West, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 December 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 16 December 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to gather feedback from schools and local authorities regarding the number of subjects that they will allow pupils to be examined for in S4 under the new national qualifications system and, if so, when it will make this feedback public.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38142 on 16 December 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
- Asked by: Margaret Smith, MSP for Edinburgh West, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 December 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 16 December 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that pupils can be examined for eight subjects in S4 under the new national qualifications system.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38136 on 16 December 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
- Asked by: Margaret Smith, MSP for Edinburgh West, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 December 2010
-
Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 16 December 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Qualifications Authority regarding the number of subjects that it expects pupils to be examined for in S4 under the new national qualifications system.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38140 on 16 December 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
- Asked by: Margaret Smith, MSP for Edinburgh West, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 December 2010
-
Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 16 December 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with schools and local authorities regarding the number of subjects that it expects pupils to be examined for in S4 under the new national qualifications system.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38136 on 16 December 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.
- Asked by: Margaret Smith, MSP for Edinburgh West, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 December 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 16 December 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive how many UCAS points will be attributed to National 4 qualifications and how this will differ from the points attributed to standard grade qualifications.
Answer
The UCAS Tariff system does not allocate points to qualifications below Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 6 i.e. Higher qualifications.
- Asked by: Margaret Smith, MSP for Edinburgh West, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 December 2010
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 16 December 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on whether students in Scotland could be put at a competitive disadvantage compared with students in England when applying for UK universities if the number of subjects that they can study at S4 is limited.
Answer
Universities are generally interested in higher level qualifications. The Scottish Government, Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), UCAS, Supporting Professionalism in Admissions (SPA) and other agencies have undertaken a great deal of work to inform universities in England and Wales about Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers and their comparative tariff ratings. This work will continue as universities continue to consider both their admissions policies and learning at teaching in the light of the changes which Curriculum for Excellence will bring.
Curriculum for Excellence is aimed at increasing achievement and attainment, thus enhancing and not limiting progression to higher education whether in Scotland, the wider UK or beyond.
