Thread by @SQAOurSay

THREAD:
We have been contacted by lots of students and parents who wish to share their views on how the SQA processes of 2021 are impacting them.

Many have highlighted questions they would like answered so they can better understand how the SQA is recognising that 2021 is not a normal year.

For example, some students are concerned that reasonable adjustments offered pre-covid are no longer going to provide the support required. These students don’t want to be disadvantaged through no fault of their own and schools say their hands are tied.

National 5 students have raised concerns that they are being expected to learn the full course content despite not being in school for 3 months, and many are concerned at the time lost due to self isolation prior to this.

Other students have queried how individual circumstances, caused by COVID, will be taken into account in the processes of 2021. Mental health, illness, bereavement, caring responsibilities and digital exclusion have all been highlighted as impacting upon learning this year.

Students have told us that they feel overwhelmed and despite how great and supportive their teachers are, they feel lost and as if they have too much to do.

We hear how stressed and anxious some of you are. Some of you have told us that you are finding it hard to revise because of the uncertainty.

We want you to be able to share your views and concerns so John Swinney and SQA understand your concerns but we also want to you to be able to revise and enjoy your 'holiday' as much as possible during an ‘exam’ year.

If you would like to add your voice, share your experiences and join the conversation, please send an email to
[e-mail] feel free to share where you are in Scotland. We will anonymise all information and will not share anything you don’t want us to.

Please share with friends and young people who may not have internet access. We are happy to offer a non-digital way for students to get involved, where required.

Please remember, you are not alone.