Appeals warning after SQA lowers thousands of grades
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A WARNING has been sounded of a flood of exam result appeals after around a quarter of teachers' estimates for pupils were downgraded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
Around 138,000 pupils in Scotland today received their SQA qualification results in "a year unlike any other" as the education system faced Covid-19 disruption.
Results were worked out using estimates made by teachers based on pupils' performance over the school year as exams were cancelled for the first time in over 130 years.
But a national moderation system has seen many pupils receive lower grades than predicted.
Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray warned of a deluge of appeals after around 133,000 entries were adjusted from the initial estimate by the SQA.
Some 6.9 per cent of those estimates were adjusted up – and 93.1 per cent were adjusted down.
However, pass rates were up across the board in Scotland. The National 5 pass rate was 81.1 per cent (up from 78.2 per cent last year), the Higher pass rate was 78.9 per cent (up from 74.8 per cent), and the Advanced Higher pass rate was 84.9 per cent (up from 79.4 per cent).
Moray's schools saw increases in Maths and English passes.
There was also an increase of A-C passes at S4 for National 5 qualifications and an increase at Higher for S5 pupils at Moray schools.
Moray Council head of education Vivienne Cross said: "2020 has been a year like no other. However, during the period of lockdown our efforts have been to provide robust estimates for our young people in order that they achieve the results they deserve."
Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said: "This has been an incredibly challenging year for pupils and teaching staff with the cancellation of the exam diet due to coronavirus, so no doubt the last few days will have been an anxious time for those awaiting their results.
"With an increase in the number of pupils in Moray achieving advanced higher and higher passes, as well as an increase in the number of passes in National 5 Maths and English, there’s a lot to be positive about.
"I want to congratulate everyone who got their results. The last few months have been tough and I know that teachers and parents are incredibly proud of what our young people have achieved this year.
"For those who maybe didn’t get the results they were expecting, there is a free appeals process this year, and I would encourage anyone in that situation to speak to their school for advice on making an appeal."
The SQA said it had "delivered fairness to learners, through a consistent, evidence-based approach to awarding".
General Teaching Council for Scotland chief executive Kenneth Muir said teachers were "genuine heroes" for their response and dedication during lockdown.
And Education Secretary John Swinney said: "In a year of so many worries, young people should be very proud of their achievements."
The SQA candidate advice line is 0345 279 1000. Advice on next steps is also available from Skills Development Scotland on 0808 100 8000.
To share your exam story with the Northern Scot email newsdesk@northern-scot.co.uk.
Read more about Moray schools' exam successes in this week's Northern Scot.
