Tag Archives: SCQF

Reflections on 25 Years of the SCQF #scqf25years⤴

from @ Experimental Blog

In 2001, I was leading a range of sector-wide projects across Scottish Further Education for the Scottish Further Education Unit (SFEU). Across colleges, there was a  buzz surrounding the arrival of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). For those of us working on the ground, news of a unified national framework was warmly welcomed.

Before joining SFEU, I had spent 15 years as a Course Team Leader in the college sector. My colleagues and I hit the same wall: a system of fragmented, siloed qualifications that created friction for learners trying to progress. We watched capable students pass college units linked to occupational standards with distinction, only to be told by universities or by professional bodies that their learning "didn't count" or that they had to start from scratch. The lack of proper, systemic recognition was frustrating and unfair. It wasn't just administrative red tape; it was actively hampering human potential. 

One year we lost an established articulation route simply as the academic course team leader who was the gatekeeper at a local university changed and their successor decided to block the articulation pathway. It could be a real lottery. 

So, when the SCQF Arrived in 2001 promising a single, common language for all learning built on the sensible view  that a unit of effort in a college held equal weight to one in a university it felt like a long-overdue revolution.

By 2003, my perspective shifted from curriculum support to national delivery when I moved to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), looking after half of all vocational awards in Scotland. The nascent SCQF team were along the corridor from me. 

Sitting at the SQA during those formative years was exhilarating we were doing the heavy lifting to make the SCQF work. We undertook the massive task of updating, reviewing, leveling, and credit-rating thousands of vocational awards, Higher National Certificates (HNCs), Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), and SVQs. We were creating the architecture for true "parity of esteem."

Since then, I have worked closely with the SCQF team members over the years (always a pleasure), spent time on the board of SCQF partnership and worked as an auditor for credit and levellng organisations.  

Looking back now, over two decades later, I ask myself: Did the SCQF live up to the promise we felt in 2001?

The answer is a nuanced yes, but.

Where it succeeded:

The SCQF created a transparent, world-leading infrastructure. It allowed colleges to build direct articulation routes into modern universities, saving thousands of students time and money. It gave non-traditional learners a way to see their worth, and it allows workplace learning to be formally valued alongside traditional academic degrees. It's been great to see professional bodies, community learning and other public bodies coming on board. 

 Where the battle continues:

The friction I fought as a Course Team Leader in the 1990s hasn't  disappeared. While the framework provided the language for seamless progression, it couldn't forcibly dismantle institutional culture. We still see universities guarding their gates, forcing HND graduates to repeat learning levels, and public perception clinging to traditional school-exam "gold standards."  

The funding system I think is the only lever left and that should be used very bluntly, to change some behaviours here. Public money should mean national standards. 

It's been a bumpy ride, during College restructuring a lot of experienced credit and levellers left the sector, though capacity is building up again. Universities tend to only credit and level their own provision, and there can still be some confusion in the system around the value of credit and levelling an award and or an awarding body seeking accreditation from the SQA. 

In 2001, we really hoped the SCQF would be a silver bullet. Today, I see it as an essential foundation. It didn't instantly solve every barrier to progression, but it gave us the blueprint to keep fighting for a fairer, more open education system in Scotland. #OpenScot  

In the School sector many of the benefits have still to be cultivated where -  academic subjects, vocational learning, and personal achievements could form an SCQF-levelled profile. We could  eliminate the high-stakes exam treadmill in favor of a balanced, credit-based portrait of a young person’s capabilitities - but that still seems out of reach. 

It is a key part of the Scottish educational landscape that needs to be better understood by everyone across the system. It is still the envy of many global education systems.  

Collectively we can all do more to make the SCQF Framework work for all. 

Happy Birthday SCQF and team members past and present. 

SCQF School Ambassador Programme⤴

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In 2015/16 the SCQF Partnership launched its School Ambassador programme with the aim of identifying and confirming SCQF Ambassadors in schools to raise awareness and understanding of the SCQF as well as promoting its use among learners, school staff and parents. A successful programme ensures the impact of the Framework is maximised, that it is perceived as a vital tool for progression and that the benefits of the Framework are being communicated to learners across all schools.

Six schools were initially approached, all of whom were extremely keen to take part. After training and as part of the package to schools, both plaques and badges were awarded to:

Margaret Ford Monifieth High School, Dundee
Laura McQueen Prestwick Academy, South Ayrshire
John MacPherson Oban High School, Argyll
Raymond Perry Braeview Academy, Dundee
Jane Cleghorn St. Mungo’s Academy, Falkirk
Sharon Watson St. Andrews Secondary School, Carntyne, Glasgow

In the latest phase of the programme the SCQF Partnership has developed a Memorandum of Understanding which makes it clear what is expected of participating schools and what support they will receive.

In summary the Partnership will:

  • Deliver an initial training session for participants;
  • Present trained ambassadors with an “SCQF School Ambassador” Certificate, Ambassadors badge and an Ambassadors Resource Pack containing exemplars of materials required to deliver on-site sessions;
  • Support Ambassadors by providing all the necessary resources to deliver training sessions in schools including lesson plans, case studies, presentations and associated materials;
  • Provide opportunities for schools to participate in real life SCQF projects;
  • Provide opportunities for staff and pupils of the school to be involved in events which showcase the different ways in which the SCQF can be used;
  • Provide opportunities to engage in SCQF related competitions; and
  • Provide opportunities for pupil work experience within the SCQFP office in Glasgow.

 

Schools signing up for the programme will:

  • Undertake the initial training at the SCQFP office in Glasgow or an appropriate regional venue;
  • Cascade this training to other staff members and appropriate school pupils;
  • Ensure SCQF is highlighted on the school’s website and has a prominent place at Parents’ Evenings/events;
  • Engage with SCQFP via social media;
  • Ensure SCQF leaflets/newsletters/promotional materials are endorsed at school events;
  • Utilise SCQFfold, the SCQF online toolkit;
  • Promote short training sessions on the SCQF delivered by staff for parents; and
  • Promote short training sessions on the SCQF delivered by senior phase pupils for younger pupils and for parents.

 

Benefits for participating schools include:

  • A ceremony at school to award a plaque. This can raise awareness and act as a good promotional activity for the school;
  • A heightened profile for the school and acknowledgement of sharing good practice;
  • Opportunities for staff development through training for nominated Ambassadors;
  • A set of dedicated resources to allow ambassadors to deliver in-house events;
  • The opportunity to participate in real life projects such as developing web pages and toolkits for the SCQF website, designing promotional materials and taking part in school competitions which will further promote the Framework;
  • A better awareness of how to use the SCQF for pupils to plan their learning journey and make decisions about future learning;
  • An increase in confidence and self-esteem for pupils involved in the programme.

Schools have shown great interest in the programme and we are currently planning training events with Bearsden Academy, Greenwood Academy, Greenfaulds High School, St Joseph’s College and Cardinal Newman High School. We are keen to explore opportunities across Scotland.

Sign up for our SCQF Ambassador training workshop taking place in our Glasgow office on Tuesday 7th March 10.00 – 12.00. If you are interested in finding out more about the programme please contact:

Brian Keegan at b.keegan@scqf.org.uk or phone 0141 225 2926

Making connections: DYW and SCQF⤴

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Julie_Anderson-234x300In her blog post for SCQF Julie Anderson, DYW Team Leader for Senior Phase Pathways & College Partnerships in the Scottish Government’s Learning Directorate makes the connection between the wider Developing the Young Workforce agenda and qualifications.  Julie highlights that a learner-centred approach to career education provides young people with appropriate progression routes tailored to their needs and wants.  The SCQF can help to plan appropriate pathways by brining clarity and equality to all qualifications and learning.

Julie says:  “Young people can use the SCQF to understand the level of the learning they have already achieved and plan their future learning pathways. The SCQF website provides a wealth of information, case studies and resources for learners, parents, carers, schools and employers.”

You can read all of Julie’s SCQF blog here.

SCQF for Young People: Resources⤴

from

The SCQF Partnership offer a range of publications and resources aimed at helping staff, learners, parents and carers understand more about the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and how it benefits young people in comparing and understanding qualifications and the level of their learning. It is also an invaluable resource for planning their future learning journey.

Achievement Counts LeafletAchievement Counts front cover image

Achievement Counts is the SCQF Partnership’s leaflet for young people. It provides a brief introduction to the SCQF, information on how it can be used and its benefits for school pupils.

Credit Where Credit’s Due LeafletCredit Where Credit's Due front cover image

This leaflet has been designed specifically for parents and carers. It provides a background to the SCQF and outlines how it relates to, and can benefit, their child’s learning.

Both leaflets may be useful for parents’ evenings and careers events in your school.

Request Free Copies

The SCQF Partnership are happy to supply hard copies of these resources, free of charge. Please email Sarah MacGregor at s.macgregor@scqf.org.uk Electronic copies can be accessed from the SCQF website at http://scqf.org.uk/all-resources/.

SCQF Learner Survey⤴

from

The SCQF Partnership is currently undertaking research to evaluate how the SCQF is being used by learners across all areas of education including school, college, university, CLD and those currently in employment. We would like to establish the level of knowledge of the SCQF and how it is being used by learners to make decisions on their learning and plan their learning pathways. We would also like to establish if there have been any changes in the levels of awareness and understanding of the SCQF since we last conducted this research in 2013.

This is the short on-line survey link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SCQF_Learners

The closing date is Friday 18 December 2015.