Assessment Policy

1.0      Introduction

In planning for assessment to the curriculum reference should be made to SQA guidance contained in the publications “Guide to Assessment (2017)” and  “Assessment – A guide for Centres offering Regulated Qualifications “, to ensure that assessment and assessment procedures and practice are valid.

The purpose of assessment is primarily to inform subsequent plans for learning and therefore assessment should as far as possible be a part of the normal teaching and learning process. The type of assessment varies by subject for example questioning, working on a one to one basis, self assessment, tests, assignments, experiments, projects etc. It could be a collation of a number of different pieces of work.

Where unit assessment is required, it is important to keep in mind the purpose of any assessment and to try to minimise student stress and staff workload. If these are to be undertaken in examination conditions then these should take place when the teacher, in consultation with the Principal Teacher/Faculty Head, consider that the pupils are ready for the assessment.

2.0      Co-ordination of Assessment

When considering the timings of assessments, faculties should :

• Check the calendar for clashes/ pressure points and tracking
• Arrange AAR support at least two weeks in advance
• Inform students ( and parents/carers) at least 7 days in advance of assessment but preferably more.

2.1      Instruments of Assessment

Faculties should select an appropriate instrument for the course checking that it meets the latest specification and that no changes have been made by the SQA since last used.

If the instrument is not an SQA assessment or has been modified to a significant extent then prior moderation is recommended.

For pupils in S5 and S6, where no alternative presentation level is possible and withdrawal is advised, pupils and parents should be aware of this well in advance of the examination diet.

For pupils in S4 where success at external assessment at National 5 is unlikely the young person may continue at National 5 and be presented for units only OR may be transferred to National 4 presentation. This will be fully discussed with the young person/parent/carer and House Team.

2.2      Conducting the Assessment

Department/Faculty conditions and arrangements for any SQA assessment should be as prescribed in the Course arrangement documents.

Where students have additional support needs the PT Support for Learning and SQA co-ordinator should be consulted on the appropriate support required.

3.0      Quality Assurance/Internal Verification

Faculties should have quality assurance procedures in place in line with the SQA publication ‘Internal Verification : A Guide for Centres Offering Regulated Qualifications’. The method of quality assurance should be detailed e.g. the size and type of sample if cross marking.

Each department is responsible for ensuring that accurate internal verification records are kept. Each department should keep a record of internal verification activities undertaken. This record will include :

• Reports of meetings with assessors to discuss assessment planning
• Reports of meeting to agree the validity of assessment instruments
• Reports of standardisation exercises
• Records of observation of assessment
• Records of all sampling activity

This record should record the date, participants, verification activity and outcome for each internal verification event. This record can be supported by minutes of meetings or other documentation and should be readily available on request. Within departments verifiers should be identified and have the appropriate awareness of the national standard.

4.0      Record Keeping Policy

SQA recommends the following; any SQA Centre approved to offer regulated qualifications is required to keep records of candidate assessment for at least six years. This must include records showing:

• A list of candidates registered with SQA for each qualification offered
• Details of candidate assessment, including the name of the assessor location, date and outcomes
• Internal verification activity
• Certificates claimed

SQA does not require centres to retain candidate portfolios or samples of work for this period of time. However, candidates’ work must be retained until external verification has taken place and the outcome has been accepted by SQA and the centre. Usually SQA pupil assessment evidence should be kept for two years after course completion and certification.

5.0      Malpractice

All pupils are made aware of their responsibility in ensuring that they do not participate in any malpractice through the Your Coursework booklet, issued and gone over, through assemblies. All staff are aware of their