10 years on

This page celebrates 10 years of the SCQF recognising achievement. During 2011-12, we will provide a 10 year review on each section of our website, starting with Learners, Parents and Carers. This will provide a snapshot of major achievements, new initiatives and developments which have taken place since the Framework was launched in 2001 and which we feel have added real value.

Communicating With Learners

In 2006, the first version of Achievement Counts was published and sent out to every school in Scotland. The development of the leaflet was overseen by the Schools Committee, which was made up of representatives from a range of interested organisations and groups.

In 2010, the SCQF Partnership invited schools to take part in a competition to redesign the leaflet from the learner’s perspective. The winners had a prize-giving day to remember in January 2011. Winner: Chris Gordon, runner-up: Jonathan Russell and highly commended: Aimee Brannan, all from Holyrood Secondary School, enjoyed visits to the design studio: The Kemsley Agency, and printer: The Montgomery Litho Group (MLG), who were involved in producing the leaflet. Both companies sponsored the competition, as did the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Winner Chris said:

In February 2011, 250,000 copies of Achievement Counts were distributed to schools, youth organisations and careers organisations.

By 2006, all mainstream school qualifications had been credit rated and information was provided to schools and local authorities. In 2009, SQA moved to certificate fully on the basis of the SCQF. Candidates now receive information showing the SCQF level and credit points for every unit they have completed successfully along with a cumulative total.

Recognising Achievement

During 2007–2011, the SCQF provided a vehicle for recognising programmes of wider achievement in a range of settings. One particular area which has developed considerably has been in the credit rating of programmes which add value to young people and are offered either in school or by organisations working in the youth and community sectors. These include:

•    Youth Scotland: Youth Achievement Awards at Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum
•    Asdan Certificate of Personal Effectiveness
•    Adventure and Challenge Award from the Outward Bound Trust
•    Young Quality Scot Award from the Quality Scotland Foundation Educational Trust
•    Dynamic Youth Award for Youth Scotland
•    One Life Programme from Rathbone


Communicating With Parents

In 2009, the SCQFP developed a leaflet designed for parents and carers, called Credit Where Credit’s Due. This was developed to complement the Achievement Counts leaflet, as a result of a discussion with the Scottish Parent Teacher Council (SPTC) and has been widely distributed by schools at parents evenings and also at the annual SPTC conference for parents. This helps to explain to parents not just the credit value of mainstream school qualifications but also the greater diversity of programmes which have now been credit rated, many of which are supporting Curriculum for Excellence.