Qualifications Update/Key Dates Annette McKenna CfE Support Manager

1. Qualifications Update/Key Dates Annette McKenna CfE Support Manager

2. Purpose/Aims • Continue to develop our partnership • Share information and support planned • Operational processes • Key dates • Feedback and Questions • Centre support

3. Replaced by SCQF Level Previous/Existing Resulting

4. Dual – running of National Qualifications • 2014-15: • Final dual running year for Access 2, Access 3, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2 and the current Higher to run alongside National 2 – new Higher qualifications • 2015-16: • National 2, National 3, National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher • Advanced Higher qualification will not dual run

5. Replacement of existing National Courses and Units • All existing National Courses (Access 2, Access 3, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, current Higher, current Advanced Higher) will finish in July 2015 • Where existing Units in these Courses are being replaced, existing Units will continue to be available until July 2016 • No entries for existing Units will be accepted after this date

6. Contd. • Where existing Units form part of Group Awards such as National Certificates and NPAs the replacement Units will also become part of these Awards • Existing Units that are not being replaced will continue to be available until they are either replaced or removed as part of our current portfolio review process

7. Skills for Work (SfW) Courses • SfW Course levels at Access 3, Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 have been changed to National 3, National 4 and National 5 respectively • Unit codes remain the same and Course and Unit content has not changed. Only course code has changed • SfW Higher Courses will be recoded in 2014

8. National 1 – National 5 Qualification Update • Subject-specific common questions and answers are available on the subject pages for N2 – N5 • Common key messages and subject messages published following event verification activity for N1 – N5 • Prior verified Assessment materials available to use for some subjects on Secure site • National 1 Units – Phase 3 development published

9. N2-Higher Revision • Revisions to mandatory documents will be published were published in June – • Course specifications • Unit specifications • Course Assessment Specifications • Centres will receive notification of any changes made to Unit Assessment Support packs • Unit Assessment Support packs - updates will be completed by end of August • Higher Practice Paper – January 2015 UASP’s should be held securely and treated as confidential

10. Recognising Positive Achievement Arrangements • Support candidates who receive a ‘No Award’ (Band 8/9) in the Course Assessment at National 5 • Allows candidates to achieve the Course Award at National 4, providing they have passed: • All Internally-Assessed Units at National 5 • Added Value Unit at National 4 • Numeracy/Literacy Unit (if applicable) • Candidates must have been entered for and attempted at least one component of the National 5 Course assessment

11. RPA Arrangements contd. • There has to be a hierarchical/corresponding Course in place at National 4 • English , Gàidhlig and Mathematics Courses at National 4 include a Literacy or Numeracy Unit, but the corresponding Courses at National 5 do not. To be eligible for RPA in these Courses the candidate must also have: - Pass in the National 4 Added Value Unit - Passin the Lit/Num Unit at N4 or N5 *Not applicable to Lifeskills Mathematics Course

12. Core Skills • Core Skills continue to be an important part of our Qualifications system and there will continue to be a Core Skills Profile • SQA has devised guidance on Courses or Units, in the new National Qualifications, that have Core Skill or Core Skill components • These qualifications will give automatic certification of the Core Skill and/or component • A mapping exercise has been implemented to link some Core Skills within National Units Core Skills Information

13. Literacy and Numeracy Units Literacy Units form a mandatory part of – • English/Gàidhlig Courses at National 3 and National 4 The Numeracy Unit forms a mandatory part of - • Lifeskills Mathematics Courses at National 3, 4 and 5 Mathematics Course at National 4 • There are freestanding Literacy and Numeracy Units available at SCQF levels 3, 4 and 5 for those who require full certification, including adult learners • Available from August 2013 • Literacy and Numeracy Information

14. Skills for Learning, Life and Work • These skills are an important component of the New National Qualifications in support of Curriculum for Excellence • The aim is to improve the skill sets of learners for the world they live and work in • Learners should be encouraged to recognise where the skills are developing in their area of learning • Greater focus on skills development – Literacy Numeracy Health and well-being Employability, enterprise and citizenship Thinking skills Skills for Learning, Skills for Life, Skills for Work

15. Advanced Higher Timeline • All mandatory documents have been published for Advanced Higher: • Course Specifications • Unit Specifications • Course Assessment Specifications • Advice and guidance on approaches to delivery and assessment have also been published for new Advanced Higher: • Course and Unit Support Notes • UASP’sfor new Advanced Higher Courses* will be published from October 2014 – April 2015 *New Advanced Higher operational Aug 2015

16. Support Events for /Lecturers/Teachers/Parents • 144 Higher Subject Implementation Events across Scotland • Video/presentations online at: • www.sqa.org.uk/events2013 • Username: events2013 • Password: cfe2013 • Working with National Parent Forum Scotland and Employers • HEI events – May 2014 • Events to support new Advanced Higher courses will be held in January - April 2015

17. Webinars • Webinars were delivered to help support the implementation of the new National Qualifications • These webinars covered the following topics: • Recognising Positive Achievement • Results Service • Exceptional Circumstances • Candidate Advice Line • Presentations available on SQA Academy • Planning for third series of webinars is underway

18. DataExchange Requirements 0345 213 6960 national.qualifications@sqa.org.uk

19. Product Codes • Reminder - codes for N1 to new Advanced Higher series begins C700. Level codes are 71-77 to allow identification from other National Courses.

20. Example

21. Submitting Data Accurately and On Time September 2014 January 2015 Closing date for– Initial entry information on Courses, Units and, where appropriate, external assessments • Candidate Entry process opens Closing date for – • Submission of Outstanding Unit Results to guarantee an August 2014 certification date • Approval applications for Courses certificated in 2015

22. Some Key Dates Feb/March 2015 Early Feb 2015 End March 2015 Closing date for Entry Withdrawals to be submitted Closing date for Entries and Changes of Level to be submitted Receive and action your Incomplete National Course Profiles – • Unit entries missing report: Entries Eligibility Report • Receive and sign off your Entry Profile Summary Report

23. Some Key Dates April/June 2015 Mid April Early June Closing date for Unit results Incomplete National Course Profiles – missing Unit entries report (Entries Eligibility Report) Incomplete National Course Profiles- Unit results missing report (Results Eligibility Report) Missing National Course Internal Assessment Marks Report • Receive your Entry Profile Summary Report – for information only

24. Useful Links SQA Coordinator Guide www.sqa.org.uk/sqaconnect College CfE Information www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/cfeforlecturers Secure site www.sqa.org.uk/sqasecure

25. Support www.sqa.org.uk/cfeteam www.sqa.org.uk/businessdevelopment Thank you for your ongoing support

26. Questions and Answers