Dundee student fears exam results will be judged on one assessment
Exams won't take place again this year, with results being handed out over coursework and teacher estimates.
Last updated 30th Mar 2021
A Dundee schoolgirl's telling Tay News 'she's in a mess' over fears her final grades will be judged mainly on one assessment.
Exams won't take place again this year, with results being handed out over coursework and teacher estimates.
Many pupils in Scotland will also be sitting tests across a variety of subjects following the Easter holidays.
But 5th year pupil Deni McGurty and her peers at Baldragon Academy have been told their final grades will be 'primarily' based on how well they do in these assessments.
"I just don't think having one assessment that's based on your grade is fair, I think it should be equal," she said.
"We've been told that we're doing 'final assessments' that will be primarily based on our grade, and coursework's got little effect towards it.
"We've been told they'll take place around early May, end of April time."
The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association says it hasn't heard of schools instructing pupils that these tests will form the basis of their final grades.
General Secretray Seamus Searson believes it would be unfair if that was the case.
"We're quite concerned that these assessments could take on a life of their own and youngsters will be facing continuous amounts of exams as soon as they get back to school after Easter, to try and accomodate all the various subjects,"he said.
"We would be of the view they're only a minor part of this. They may be called mock exams or continuous assessments or prelims.
"All these terms are confusing. I think all the youngsters need to know is there'll be some form of assessment, which will be mainly the teachers professional judgement.
"The course is not finished until 25 June so as far as we're concerned, the children can be adding more evidence to their profiles so that teachers can give what we regard as professional judgement of their merits."
Deni has created a petition expressing her concerns, which has gathered over 3,700 signatures.
She believes uncertainty around how much emphasis will be placed on her upcoming assessments has been compounded by a lack of consistant teaching, particularly in Maths.
"We've not had a set teacher all year, including online. We've had about 10 teachers who have basically just handed us out papers as they're not specific Maths teachers, they specialise in a different subject," she added.
"Many don't really understand a lot about Maths so they've not been able to help."
An SQA spokesman said: “We have been clear that there is no requirement to simulate a full exam setting. A mixture of assessment approaches, including practical work and coursework, where appropriate, has been advised.
"We have provided teachers and lecturers with detailed assessment guidance for every subject, which highlights the flexible approaches in which assessment can be carried out.
“Throughout the creation of this year’s model, the views and impact on young people have been at the heart of our decision making.
“The alternative certification model has been developed by the National Qualifications Group*, which includes wide representation from the education system, including local authorities, teachers and young people. The group has been clear that awards this year must be based on demonstrated attainment.
“SQA has not used the term “final assessment” in any of its guidance.”
A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: "The school has not indicated to pupils that their grades will only be based around one assessment. We are working closely with young people and families during this hugely challenging time and will be re-assuring them directly over how assessments will be made.
"The school will be following strict SQA guidance at all times."