Bearsden Academy
A Guide for pupils, parents and carers on the new
SQA Qualifications
This booklet is designed to provide information on the school’s approach to the
delivery of the new Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) qualifications and to
support pupils, parents and carers in the process of subject choice. The aim is for our
young people in S2, and below, to prepare with confidence for the SQA’s new
qualifications, with the support of the school and you, their parents and carers.
The new qualifications are called the National 4 and National 5
These replace all Standard Grade and Intermediate exams.
National 4 is equivalent to Standard Grade General Level and Intermediate 1.
National 4 is a unit-based qualification with no external exam. It is assessed within
the school and will be externally verified by SQA staff. National 4 qualifications are
marked Pass or Fail.
National 5 is equivalent to Standard Grade Credit Level and Intermediate 2. National
5 is a unit-based qualification, with units being assessed by the school, but also
includes passing an additional external assessment which may be carried out by more
than one method (depending on the subject), for example a project and a question
paper which will be assessed by SQA. National 5 qualifications are graded A – C with
a D being a fail.
National 3 (revised) is equivalent to Standard Grade foundation level. National 3 is a
unit based course that is marked Pass or Fail.
SQA will provide rigorous external quality assurance, including external verification,
to ensure assessment judgements are consistent and met national standards.
Candidates will be presented for the new National exams for the first time in session
2013/14.
The structure, content and assessment methods used in the new qualifications are set
by the SQA.
The decision of S2 pupils choosing subjects for S3 has been made following East
Dunbartonshire Council’s advice and also from the recommendations of the school’s
curricular structures committee.
The government’s guidelines state that early presentation of whole year groups (say in
S3) should not occur as this narrows learning at too early a stage and can place undue
pressure on those within the cohort who may lack the maturity for taking National
Qualifications.
At present, S2 will choose their subjects in March. They will continue in S3 with what
is called The Broad General Education Phase (S1 to S3), but there will also be
personalisation and choice in S3 through the subject choice programme. Pupils will
choose 8 subjects and in addition, core PE, PSE & RME will continue to be followed
as compulsory subjects.
In S3 and S4 pupils will be challenged and supported in achieving the National 4 and
5 outcomes. A Broad General Education will be delivered in line with the published
Outcomes and Experiences for Curriculum for Excellence, with pupils gaining
confidence and progressing through levels (as appropriate).
In S3, there will be opportunities for subjects, where appropriate, to collect such
evidence of attainment at National 4, such as the National 4 Added Value Unit.
However, this option would be left to subject departments to identify and decide any
such opportunities.
S3 will study 8 subjects to take forward at National level. They will be presented for
exams at the end of S4.
Presentation Levels
Presentation levels will be based on evidence of attainment in consultation with
parents and carers.
Towards the end of S3, parents and carers will receive a report on their child’s
progression through their chosen subjects, this will include an initial indication of a
presentation level. Parents and carers will be notified on presentation levels in
September of S4, this will be followed by a detailed written progress report in
October of S4. S4 pupils were undertake preliminary exams in December, the results
of these prelims will enable teachers to make further presentation level decisions
based on this information and classwork. In January of S4 parents and carers will be
invited to our parents’ evening to discuss our young people’s progress.
Throughout S4 our young people will be supported to achieve their potential at the
appropriate level. Principal Teachers of Guidance and the Year Head will monitor
progress. Any concerns will be communicated to parents.
A young person who fails the external National 5 exam but has passed all of the
National 5 internal assessments and completed the National 4 Added Value Unit will
be awarded a National 4 pass.
S5 and S6
At the end of S4 pupils will choose 5 subjects for study in S5 (2014-2015). Pupils
can choose Highers at this point, some may choose one year or two year Highers or
National 5 courses, as appropriate. The aim was to ensure that all pupils have been
given the opportunity to achieve National Qualifications when they choose to leave
school (S4, S5, S6). The guiding principle is that qualifications are taken at the
appropriate stage for the individual young person over the 3 years of the senior phase.
Review
As with all EDC schools, and in line with the School Improvement Plan, there is an
agreed view that this position will be subject to review and change with our
experience informing future models.
Our main aim is to ensure the on-going highest educational experience for all our
young people. Our purpose is to maintain the school’s high academic standards whilst
ensuring all pupils are supported to reach their potential towards appropriate
qualifications.
The New SQA Qualifications: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new qualifications?
The new National 3, National 4 and National 5 courses have replaced Standard
Grades. The National 5 is the more academically advanced - the equivalent of a credit
in a Standard Grade or a good pass in an O Grade in the old days. The National 4 is
the equivalent of a general in a Standard Grade whereas National 3 compares to
foundation level.
Why are the courses lasting one year not two?
The first three years at secondary school are now described as a "broad general
education". But by the time a student starts their National 3, National 4 or National 5
courses at the beginning of S4, they should be at a more advanced point than a student
starting their Standard Grades in S3.
What other big differences are there?
The new qualifications put a greater emphasis on coursework and on-going
assessment. Students studying for National 3 and National 4 will not have formal
exams. Coursework and an external exam will contribute towards the overall grade at
National 5.
How might individual subjects change?
The whole thinking behind Curriculum for Excellence is to help the young person’s
development as a whole. Individual subjects form part of a bigger picture - for
example, helping the young person grow into a responsible citizen. There is also an
emphasis on what is known as ‘higher order thinking skills’ . These skills help
students think for themselves and truly understand a topic rather than simply recite
facts, figures and formulae.
The National 3, National 4 and National 5 courses pay more attention than Standard
Grades and O Grades to testing this "deeper learning" and the candidate's ability to
put their knowledge into practice.
Questions raised by Parents and Carers
If a pupil sits National 5 exam and fails, do they automatically get a National 4?
It is envisaged that pupils will have covered the required learning and achieve the
necessary outcomes in S3 and S4 that would support the award of National 4 within
the subjects they are studying. Therefore, although not automatic, the evidence would
be submitted to SQA.
How many subjects will be compulsory?
In S4 Maths, English will be compulsory for National Qualification. The core subjects
of Physical Education, Personal and Social Education and Religious and Moral
Education will continue to be compulsory, although these courses will not lead to
National Qualifications.
How can parents be certain that their children will benefit from the new
qualifications after the first exams have been sat and marked?
The new qualifications have been designed to follow on from Curriculum for
Excellence’s outcomes and experiences. They offer the opportunity for pupils to
broaden and deepen their understanding. They have also been designed to prepare
pupils for Higher exams.
At what point will the decision be made for pupils to sit National 4 or National 5? Is
this in S3?
This will be based on pupils’ progression through the courses in S3 and S4. Every
opportunity will be provided to allow pupils to demonstrate sustained attainment
within a level that would lead to presentation at that level.
How will parents and pupils be able to choose subjects for S3, if S2 reports only
contain qualitative statements and not comparable grades?
Parents, carers and pupils will receive written reports from class teachers and will be
able to attend S2 parent information evenings. Pupils will have discussions on a oneto one level with their guidance teachers. Parents, carers and pupils will be advised of
the need for breadth and balance in their subject choice as well as where the pupils
particular strengths and interests lie.
What are the advantages of the new qualifications over the Standard Grades and
Intermediate exams?
As mentioned earlier, the new qualifications have been designed to follow on from
Curriculum for Excellence’s outcomes and experiences, and therefore offer a smooth
transition to deeper learning. They offer the opportunity for pupils to broaden and
deepen their understanding. They have also been designed to prepare pupils for
Higher exams. Many of the existing standard grades did not provide easy movement
to Higher due to content, structure and assessment methods. The new qualifications
provide a complete, progressive education, with curriculum for Excellence, for pupils
aged 3 to 18.
If you have any further questions, please e-mail Bearsden Academy at:
office@bearsdenacademy.e-dunbarton.sch.uk
For further information on the New Qualifications visit the SQA’s website:
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/46161.html