Scotland’s new qualifications body started on 2 December with a promise to put learners and educators at the heart of decision-making.
Qualifications Scotland has replaced the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) following the passage of the Education (Scotland) Act earlier this year.
Chief Executive Nick Page says much of the progress made during his first 100 days in the job has laid the groundwork for future success but that newly-published research underlines the need to go further and faster in the weeks, months and years ahead.
Mr Page has visited and listened to colleagues in colleges, employers, training providers, local authorities and schools. He has spoken in depth with parents, carers, learners and system leaders from across the education and skills sector. He says he has heard much to be positive about but acknowledges that a lot more needs to be done to win back the trust of learners and educators.
Key Audience Research, which surveys learners, teachers, lecturers, training providers, parents and carers, shows that:
- Only one in five respondents thought that SQA was successfully earning back the trust of learners and educators
- While SQA qualifications have high levels of credibility, scores for the credibility of SQA itself fell
- Survey respondents in schools gave the lowest scores for credibility, communication and engagement, compared to respondents from colleges and training providers.
Mr Page said, ‘These findings show us exactly where Qualifications Scotland needs to focus its efforts. There is a clear and compelling need for change, and we must act on it. Qualifications Scotland is not and can never be a rebrand of SQA. It is a new organisation designed from the ground up to work differently, to engage more deeply and to put learners and educators at the very heart of everything we do. It’s a huge undertaking so we need our nation to test us and back us.”
