SQA CENTRE NEWS
In this bulletin:-
Update to Delivering National Qualifications: Guide for SQA Co-ordinators 2014-15
Higher Graphic Communication past paper questions
Prior verification of Practical Cookery
Portfolio evaluations for National 5 and new Higher Art and Design
Understanding Standards events
Advanced Higher support events
Understanding Standards packs and events materials
Free CIW professional development courses
- Update to Delivering National Qualifications: Guide for SQA Co-ordinators 2014-15
We’ve recently updated the Guide for SQA Co-ordinators 2014-15 to include information regarding the construction of the verification sample. These details were previously communicated in the 27 November edition of Centre News.
The updated version of the guide is available to view or download now from the Document section on SQA Connect.
- Higher Graphic Communication past paper questions
The document Guidance on the use of past paper questions for new Higher Graphic Communication has been removed from our website. However, we are publishing the Higher Exemplar Question Paper for Graphic Communication in January 2015.
As outlined in the Course Comparison document, there are significant differences between the new and existing Higher Graphic Communication question papers. The questions featured in the Exemplar Question Paper have been created specifically for the new Higher Graphic Communication Course, and are aligned with the live 2015 question paper. This will provide enhanced support in preparing candidates for the live question paper.
- Prior verification of Practical Cookery
Please note, prior verification is recommended only if amendments are made to published assessment materials.
For more information on Prior Verification please go to www.sqa.org.uk/cfedelivery.
- Portfolio evaluations for National 5 and new Higher Art and Design
Please note that there are no Design Brief/Evaluation Forms for the National 5 and new Higher Art and Design Courses.
Please remember that an evaluation should be included with each candidate’s Expressive and Design folios, as outlined in the Course Assessment Specification and detailed in the coursework assessment task. Candidates and centres have flexibility to choose how best to present their evaluations.
Design Brief Evaluation Forms are associated with the existing Intermediate and Higher Art and Design Courses, and must only be used with candidates who are taking these Courses. They cannot be used with candidates who are undertaking National 5 and new Higher Courses.
- Understanding Standards events
We are hosting a series of Understanding Standards events for National 5 Course assessment. The events will run until the end of February 2015. They are intended to support practitioners in understanding the national standards for Course assessment at National 5 and will focus on question papers, all other externally marked components of Course assessment and (where relevant), internally assessed Course components.
The events are free of charge. More subjects will be added to the series, so please continue to check our Events Booking System for updates, where you can also book your place.
All enquiries about Understanding Standards events should be made by telephone to 0345 213 5580 or by e-mailing sqaevents@sqa.org.uk
- Advanced Higher support events
We are running subject-specific support events from 26 January 2015 to 2 April 2015 to support the new National Courses at Advanced Higher in Session 2015-16.
The events will provide updates on course delivery and assessment and will be interactive, with the opportunity for delegates to engage in workshop sessions and discussions.
Places are limited with no more than one place per subject per centre. Early booking is advisable. Please request the event that is closest to your location.
The events are targeted at principal teachers, faculty heads and course/subject leaders. Centres can send anyone they consider appropriate. Local authorities are welcome to reserve places for professional support staff.
Please book through our online booking system.
- Understanding Standards packs and events materials
Throughout session 2014-15, we are publishing a range of Understanding Standards materials to assist with developing understanding of the national standards that should be applied when assessing candidates’ work.
The packs are available from our secure website and teachers and lecturers can arrange access to them through their SQA Co-ordinator. They must be stored securely and treated as confidential.
Events materials can be accessed through the updates and announcements section of our subject pages.
Packs published this week:
- Fashion and Textile Technology
- German
- History
- Physical Education
Additional subjects will follow over the coming weeks, so please check Centre News for regular updates.
- Free CIW professional development courses
Beginning on January 27, Certification Partners is offering free Professional Development to teachers. Participating teachers and administrators can choose to take one of two training and certification courses. These courses include:
- CIW Site Development Associate: HTML5 and CSS coding, plus using HTML5 and JavaScript APIs to extend the functionality of web pages.
- CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist: essential HTML5, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and JavaScript knowledge.(a natural step from CIW Site Development Associate).
If you or someone in your school would like to take advantage of our FREE CIW Professional Development offer, please fill out the course request form. The cut-off date for registration is January 5, 2015
