Contingency measures and support in place.
It remains the government’s ‘firm intention’ to hold National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams this Spring, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has restated.
Taking into consideration ongoing disruption within schools, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has decided to invoke its Scenario 2 contingency and will provide revision support in early March to aid learners in preparing for their exams.
It complements the significant modifications SQA has already made to reduce the volume of assessment and ease the workload of learners, teachers and lecturers.
SQA has also, today, announced a series of measures that will support delivery of the qualifications this year and that acknowledge the disruption caused by the pandemic:
- exceptional circumstances back-up for learners who are unable to attend their exam or exams due to illness or bereavement
- grading exams this year will look to factor in the impact of the pandemic on learners
- once the results have been published, learners will have free direct access to appeal
I am glad to see the positive steps being taken by the Scottish Government to ensure exams are back on track this Spring. It is important that we acknowledge the continued strain Covid has put on schools throughout the country and ensure the necessary support measures are put in place to allow learners to continue achieving their potential.
GRAEME
Ms Somerville also confirmed that £4 million will be used to support schools and colleges provide targeted exam preparation sessions for learners who need it most over the Easter break.
It remains my firm intention that exams will take place as planned – they will only be cancelled if public health advice says it isn’t safe.
EDUCATION SECRETARY SHIRLEY-ANNE SOMERVILLE
While the number of full and partial school closures has been small, it is clear that many secondary schools have experienced extreme disruption as a result of the Omicron variant – particularly in the first half of January – in relation to both student and teacher absences.
This package of measures is designed to ensure our learners are fully supported in their learning and preparations for the exams this year.
