Schools

Pupils and parents/carers may need assistance in understanding and using SCQF levels and credit points when moving on to further or higher education or applying for jobs.

School staff, particularly those in a guidance role, may need further information about SCQF Level Descriptors and SCQF Credit Points, to help explain these features of the Framework.

From August 2005, SCQF information has appeared on Scottish Qualification Certificates issued by SQA under the Additional Information section. We have also developed links with SQA and Skills Development Scotland to help young people find out more about their SCQF Credit Points.

The new national qualifications which will replace Standard Grades and Intermediates 1 and 2 in 2014 will be known as National Courses 4 and 5 which directly link to their SCQF level. Curriculum for Excellence also recognises that not all learning takes place in the classroom, and this is also a feature of the SCQF, where credit can also be given for informal learning.

We have produced a leaflet for school pupils called Achievement Counts which explains how the SCQF can help to describe, compare and understand Scottish qualifications. The guide also describes how the SCQF can help pupils move forward in their lifelong learning journey.

We also have a leaflet for parents and carers entitled Credit Where Credit's Due which gives details of how the SCQF can help their son or daughter to better understand their lifelong learning journey.