SQA Appeals advice to members

As you may know from communications from the SQA issued to your school/college on 1st February 2023, the NQ Appeals System used last session (2022) has been discontinued. 

This means there will be no submission of alternative assessment evidence in 2023 for appeals. The SQA has announced a system of appeals for 2023 which is, effectively, an enhanced version of the Post-Results Service as used in 2019. 

To summarise the key points:

• Candidates can apply directly to the SQA, regardless of their estimate;
• There will be no charge to candidates or centres;
• There will be a review of SQA-marked assessment components;
• There will be no requirement for, or consideration of alternative assessment evidence for the Appeals 2023 service.
• The Exceptional Circumstances Service will continue, as will the priority service.

The removal of the alternative assessment evidence requirement for appeals will be a relief to many secondary teachers who report that the generation of such evidence, and the associated additional quality assurance activity, were major drivers of workload and impacted negatively on time for teaching and learning.

SQA guidance remains that there are no requirements for any additional assessment of students than that which would be planned within a normal year in which an exam diet features.

Members are reminded that all SQA-related work done by teachers in the course of their employment, including that related to the Exceptional Circumstances Service and Post Results service, must be capable of being overtaken within the 35 hour working week, and working time agreements should reflect this.

Any member who experiences difficulty in this regard should raise the matter with their school/branch rep/local secretary in the first instance.