Question reference: S6W-00913
- Asked by: Gordon MacDonald, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 18 June 2021
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 June 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding calls for a reopening of the 2020 exams appeals process, in light of the 2021 exams appeals process being announced.
Answer
I understand that some learners continue to feel dissatisfied with the result of the 2020 national qualifications appeals process.
Teachers exercised their best professional judgement in deciding grades for learners in the very challenging circumstances resulting from the pandemic. Following the Deputy First Minister’s intervention, learners were awarded the grades that their teachers judged reflected their attainment.
Having carefully considered the position, we have concluded that there is no way to reopen the appeals process in a fair and equitable manner to all learners.
However, recognising the strength of feeling of some about the 2020 appeals process, it has been agreed with the SQA that any learner who considers they still have grounds for an appeal in respect of an award made in 2020, within the criteria set for 2020 appeals, can talk to their centre and the centre can come forward and have that appeal considered by the SQA, even at this late stage, to address those concerns.