From SQA

The Exceptional Circumstances Consideration service is now open and requests can be made through SQA Connect

When you submit evidence for SQA to consider, please send only academic evidence. This can include Unit assessments, coursework, mock tests and class tests – with the instruments of assessment where applicable. Please do not send any documentation in support of the exceptional circumstance reason, such as medical certificates or Head of Centre letters. You must retain this at the centre and not send it to SQA. When our examiners review exceptional circumstance requests, they do not take into consideration the reason the request has been made.

You’ll find more detailed information on submitting an Exceptional Circumstances request in Exceptional Circumstances Consideration: Guidance and user guide for centres, which is available in the ‘Documents’ section on SQA Connect. If you have any questions, please contact the Exceptional Circumstances helpdesk at ec.enquiries@sqa.org.uk or on 0345 213 6640.

Commonwealth Games legacy engagement event

On 10 June, we’re running an awareness-raising event in Glasgow for FE college staff. SQA was involved in developing the guide for the Games volunteers – the Clyde-siders. The event will feature updates on how the Volunteering Options guide can help volunteers recognise and enhance their skills; how Glasgow 2014 is linking with the further education sector; and opportunities for the 15,000 Clyde-siders to make the most of the skills and experiences they will take away from the Games. See our webpage at http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/70126.html for more information and to book a place.

SQA Update

NQ Notification of changes to Unit Specifications and Frameworks 2013/14 can be found at : http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/68833.html/

Professional Update And You Event – Friday 16 MAY 2014

The EIS and West Lothian Council are holding a joint Professional Update event on Friday 16 May 2014 in Deans Community High School, Eastwood Park, Livingston EH54 8PS from 1.30 pm to 4 pm.

We are delighted to advise that the keynote speakers at the event on 16 May will be:

Ken Muir, Chief Executive, GTC(S)

Larry Flanagan, EIS General Secretary

Elaine Cook, Head of Service, West Lothian Council

Toni Cameron, EIS West Lothian Learning Rep

The keynotes will be followed by a panel discussion where you can ask the questions YOU want to ask about Professional Update and how it will affect you. To register please email Lyn McClintock, EIS National CPD and Learning Rep Co-ordinator lmcclintock@eis.org.uk as soon as possible but no later than Wednesday 30 April 2014 to ensure your place at this important event.

Continue reading CPD Bulletin 14th May →

Your Exams 2014

‘Your Exams 2014 – What you need to know’ (our guidance and advice on preparing for exams, conduct in exams and results) was recently issued. A key message is the need to complete papers using pen. Please remind candidates that they must use pens with blue or black ink (not gel pens) and that they should write legibly and neatly.

Candidate malpractice in external assessment

Our publication, Candidate malpractice in externally assessed examinations and assessments, has been updated and will be available to access on our website at http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/1418.html from Friday afternoon (25 April 2014).

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Assessment Arrangements Team on 0345 213 6890.

Continue reading CPD Bulletin 25th April →

Low Port Centre

Low Port has issued a list of new CPD courses for 2014/2015, including outdoor education, outdoor activities and health and safety options.

For full details visit the website :

www.lowportcentre.co.uk

TO BOOK ANY OF THE COURSES PLEASE CONTACT 01506 775390 OR EMAIL: lowport.centre@westlothian.gov.uk

Continue reading CPD Bulletin 4th April →

From SQA Centre News

Appointee opportunities, Advanced Higher

We are currently seeking applications for Advanced Higher Physics Research Investigation Markers – see http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/68904.html for details.

We are also seeking applications for Advanced Higher Item Writers and Item Checkers – see http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/58384.3682.html for role profiles and application forms.

You can help provide CPD opportunities for your staff by circulating these links and supporting applications.

Continue reading CPD Bulletin 17th March →

Route maps through assessment

Minister for Learning, Dr Alasdair Allan recently put in place a package of support for secondary schools to help deliver the new national qualifications. This support included new route maps through Assessment and these are now being published on the Education Scotland website.

Calling all teachers of Access 2 and National 2

We are reviewing Access 2 Units that are not part of a Course. Many of these will be refreshed as new National 2 Units for delivery from August 2015 (when dual running has finished). Others will be replaced by the National 2 Units that are currently available for centres to deliver. You can read our proposals at www.sqa.org.uk/national2 where you can also provide your feedback. The closing date for completing the survey is 31 March 2014.

Update letters

• Physical Education (National 3, 4, 5)
• Creative Industries: Radio and Television

Continue reading CPD Bulletin 10th March →

MAKING ASSESSMENT MEANINGFUL WEBINARS

The first one on 12th March may be of particular interest as it focuses on social science students at Dundee and Angus College who have been using diverse assessment approaches. It will demonstrate how the students show evidence of their learning in a variety of ways including role plays and posters. Lots of students will be progressing to HEIs so you may also be interested in Webinars 2 and 3 as they focus on what the universities are doing re reviewing that there is a shared understanding of assessment standards.

Webinar 1: Series: Making Assessment Meaningful: Diverse Assessment Approaches – 12 March
http://events.collegedevelopmentnetwork.ac.uk/events/show/4897

Webinar 2: Series Making Assessment Meaningful: Marked Improvement – 26 March
http://events.collegedevelopmentnetwork.ac.uk/events/show/4899

Webinar 3: Series Making Assessment Meaningful: PeerWise – 09 May
http://events.collegedevelopmentnetwork.ac.uk/events/show/4901

Webinar 4: Series Making Assessment Meaningful: Assessing Creativity – 28 May
http://events.collegedevelopmentnetwork.ac.uk/events/show/4900

Continue reading CPD Bulletin 3rd March →