Latest news with #QualificationsScotland
STV News
05-08-2025
- General
- STV News
Results Day: Pass rates rise for Scottish students
The number of students who have passed their exams has risen in 2025, the SQA has said. On Tuesday, more than 130,000 students will receive their results after sitting exams for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications. Across the three qualifications, pass rates are up on the previous year, with pupils attaining A, B or C grades. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) said 78.4% of National 5 students passed, up from 77.2% in 2024. Meanwhile 75.9% of Higher students achieved an A, B, or C grade, compared to 74.9% last year. iStock Youngsters across the country have received their exam results. Advanced Higher students achieved a 76.7% pass rate in 2025, up from 75.3% in 2024. The SQA said 2025 was a 'landmark year' of achievement and success. 'Scotland's learners should be rightly proud today – and we are proud of them,' Donna Stewart, Scotland's chief examining officer, said. 'Their hard work and commitment has made 2025 a landmark year. The rise in overall attainment at all three National Qualification levels will rightly be welcomed in classrooms and staffrooms across Scotland. Higher entries have also risen beyond 200,000 for the first time since Curriculum for Excellence was introduced.' SQA Donna Stewart from the SQA with Practical Cookery pupils at Portobello High School Meanwhile the number of vocational and technical qualifications surged past 100,000 for the first time ever. There were 110,390 students – a 22.6% increase – taking skills-based qualification awards in 2025. The awards included a wide range of areas, including leadership, employability, and personal finance, as well as a range of skills for work courses, awards, national certificates, and national progression awards. The SQA, which will be replaced by Qualifications Scotland in December, also reported that the poverty-related attainment gap narrowed at all levels of national qualifications. 'We welcome that progress towards the shared national mission to reduce inequality,' Ms Stewart said. 'All of those achievements are to be celebrated – and they belong to Scotland's learners.' On behalf of the SQA, Ms Stewart thanked all of the teachers across Scotland for the work they do everyday and who make 'Results Day possible'. 'Today is the last Results Day for SQA, after three decades of service to Scotland,' Ms Stewart said. 'We are already working hard to ensure that Qualifications Scotland builds upon the best of SQA while delivering positive change that will be felt long before Results Day 2026.' Total number of students waiting for results on Tuesday was over 147,000. More than 130,000 learners from over 480 schools, colleges, and training providers took National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses in 2025. This year, 78.4% of Scottish students achieved a grade of A, B, or C in their National 5 qualifications, compared to 77.2% in 2024 and 78.8% in 2023. In 2025, 75.9% of Scottish students achieved a grade of A, B, or C in their higher qualifications, compared to 74.9% in 2024 and 77.1% in 2023. And 76.7% of Scottish students achieved a grade of A, B, or C in their advanced higher qualifications this year, compared to 75.3% in 2024 and 79.8% in 2023. There were 110,390 students taking skills-based qualification awards in 2025 – a 22.6% increase. More than 200,000 Higher entries were recorded for the first time since Curriculum for Excellence qualifications were introduced in 2014. More than 60,000 students received their results via email or text on Tuesday. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
New SQA chief executive outlines pledges for first 100 days
The new leader of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has announced a series of pledges for his first 100 days in charge. Nick Page was announced as the chief executive of the body last month following the resignation of Fiona Robertson earlier this year. The SQA will scrapped in December and replaced with a new body called Qualifications Scotland, which Mr Page will also lead. Launching his leadership on Monday, the former teacher committed to a number of pledges for his first 100 days as leader, and the final days of the SQA. He said his promises mark the start of a 'new era of collaboration, transparency, and opportunity'. Read More: Mr Page said: 'The Education (Scotland) Bill has given us real momentum and a clear sense of direction. Learners and educators want to know how change will happen and how it will make a positive difference for them. 'That's why we are setting out these key actions for the next 100 days – so people can see and feel the progress we are making, both in the way we work and in the outcomes we deliver.' Among his key pledges is a promise to launch the new Schools Unit to bring organisations closer to the classroom and improve support for teachers and pupils. Mr Page has committed to building new partnerships with industry, employers and the third sector to ensure skills-based qualifications are fit for the future. He has promised to accelerate the transformation of the SQA to ensure the new body is ready from day one. The chief executive said he will also expand the 'Your Voice' campaign to under-represented groups, including industry, the third sector and political stakeholders to ensure the success of Qualifications Scotland. And he committed to supporting the development of new statutory committees and charters to deliver the Education (Scotland) Bill – the legislation which abolished the SQA. He has also promised to share progress of the SQA's digital transformation, which aims to streamline the body and make it fit for the future. Mr Page said discussions during the Education (Scotland) Bill process revealed confusion about the full scope of SQA's work, including accreditation, awarding, quality assurance and regulation. 'We've heard the concerns, and we're acting on them,' he said. 'Over the next 100 days, we'll work hard to raise awareness and understanding of what we deliver and the value that brings. 'That includes making it clear how our independent functions operate, how we deliver and measure performance, and explaining the strengthened independence and governance of accreditation.' He added: 'Together, we can ensure that Qualifications Scotland is a model of inclusion, transparency, and accountability. 'The success of these key actions – and all the positive change we strive for – depends entirely on the skills, dedication, and professionalism of our people, working in partnership across the education and skills community. 'On my first day as chief executive, I want to thank every member of every team for their ongoing commitment. 'It is their expertise and experience that will give learners, educators, and the public confidence in the work we do now and in the future of qualifications in Scotland.'
The Herald Scotland
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
New SQA chief left previous role following child safety concerns
Mr Page began his career as a teacher before taking on multiple council roles as Director of Children's Services at Salford City Council and Chief Executive of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. He resigned as council boss in 2023 following a review which found that children were facing "significant harm" due to delayed responses. This came in the wake of the killing of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. Aruther was murdered in June 2020 by his stepmother, who was jailed along with Arthur's father. The SQA board selected Mr Page from a shortlist of candidates, and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth approved the appointment. A spokesperson for the SQA said: 'Nick Page chose to step down from his last role after a critical inspection. 'It was a principled decision to allow fresh leadership to take improvements forward. 'The SQA board carried out full due diligence and was unanimous in its selection. Nick was also the unanimous choice of the SQA staff panel, which interviewed all candidates.' In February, the former SQA Chief Executive Fiona Robertson stepped down following a series of high-profile controversies dating back to 2020. With her resignation, the SQA divided the leadership responsibilities between the Chief Executive and the newly created post of Chief Examining Officer, held by Donna Stewart. With Mr Page's appointment, there are now teachers in both of the top roles at the SQA. Following its passage in Holyrood on Wednesday, the Education (Scotland) Bill will establish a new qualifications body called Qualifications Scotland, pending royal assent. Staff and officers are expected to carry over to Qualifications Scotland when it assumes responsibilities in December. Mr Page said that he was "honoured" to oversee the transition. 'The passage of the Education (Scotland) Bill challenges us all to make reform a success – and we will deliver. 'SQA is already transforming at pace to build strong foundations for Qualifications Scotland, harnessing the deep knowledge, skills and commitment of our people. We will accelerate that work to deliver a future that improves outcomes and supports learning and teaching. 'As a former teacher from a family of teachers, I am keenly aware of the challenges faced in classrooms, colleges and across the education community, especially since the pandemic." Read more He added that the SQA's new Schools Unit, led by headteacher Sarah Brown as Senior Adviser, will be crucial for achieving the new organisation's goal of amplifying the voices of teachers and students. "We will also work across the education and skills community to ensure that assessment and awarding align with wider pathways for success. 'By building new partnerships with industry and employers, we will strengthen the relevance and range of our skills-based and vocational qualifications to unlock opportunities for learners. That will help support Scotland with the skills our country needs to succeed in a rapidly changing world. 'I look forward to bringing my experience – and the lessons I have learned – to my new role. I want to begin by thanking my new colleagues, who have demonstrated great professionalism and successfully delivered over these past years of challenge and uncertainty." Nick Page will take over as chief executive of the SQA in July and Qualifications Scotland when the new organisation takes over in December. (Image: SQA) SQA Board Chair Shirley Rogers said that Mr Page was chosen because of his mixture of experience in the classroom and public service. 'I am absolutely delighted that Nick has chosen to join us. His career spans many achievements and a proven ability to lead through both change and challenge. 'I am confident that, drawing on these experiences and a commitment to learning from them, Nick will drive the positive transformation that ensures Qualifications Scotland delivers for every learner, every educator, and every community." The transition to Qualifications Scotland will be one of the final steps in a process that began in 2021 when former Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville announced that the SQA would be scrapped. Over the next four years, the Scottish Government spent over £1 million commissioning a series of independent reviews into qualifications and assessments. However, the Education (Scotland) Bill and its vision of Qualifications Scotland has received a lukewarm response from opposition parties, teachers and the chief researchers who had recommended the SQA's replacement in the first place. The EIS teaching union called the bill an "opportunity missed" for reform, while Professor Ken Muir, who carried out the original review for replacing the SQA, said it was "disappointing" that the bill preserves many of the major shortcomings he identified in the SQA's structure.
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
New exams chief quit his council role in the wake of child death criticism
The new boss of Scotland's exams quango resigned from his previous role following child safety concerns at the council he ran. Nick Page has been announced as the chief executive of the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and will automatically switch to the same role at the new Qualifications Scotland body when it is set up later this year. But concerns have been raised about the way he left his job as chief executive of Solihull Council after a 2023 review found that children faced 'significant harm' due to delayed responses from its 'inadequate' children's services. Mr Page resigned following the Ofsted report, saying new leadership would help bring about the necessary changes. The SQA has refused to confirm his exact salary in the new role, saying only that it was 'within the range set by Scottish Government for CEOs of that grade' and that the job had been advertised with a salary of between £126,000 and £143,000. His appointment comes after new legislation was passed this week abolishing the SQA, despite concerns the new body will just be a 'rebrand'. Miles Briggs, education spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: 'This appointment by the discredited and scandal-hit SQA is bound to raise eyebrows among those crying out for positive change in Scottish education. 'Many will be concerned about how he left a previously senior leadership role and if that will hang over him as he gets to work in Scotland. 'SNP ministers missed the boat this week with their education bill which was full of cosmetic rebranding, including in relation to the beleaguered SQA. 'I wish Mr Page all the best in his new role, but he will need to show that he is willing to make the tough decisions necessary to undo 18 years of SNP damage to Scotland's education system.' During his role at Solihull Council, the authority was heavily criticised after six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes was murdered by his step-mother in June 2020. Emma Tustin poisoned, starved and beat Arthur during the Covid lockdown, and was jailed along with Arthur's father Thomas Hughes, who was found guilty of manslaughter. A spokesman for the SQA said: 'Nick Page chose to step down from his last role after a critical inspection. 'It was a principled decision to allow fresh leadership to take improvements forward. 'The SQA board carried out full due diligence and was unanimous in its selection. Nick was also the unanimous choice of the SQA staff panel which interviewed all candidates.' The new appointment comes after Fiona Robertson announced she was quitting as chief executive in February. Mr Page will begin work on July 7 and will then lead Qualifications Scotland when it is established in December. He has worked in teaching and children's services, as well as local authority leadership. Mr Page said: 'I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve as chief executive of SQA and to lead Scotland's new national awarding body when Qualifications Scotland opens its doors in December. 'SQA is already transforming at pace to build strong foundations for Qualifications Scotland, harnessing the deep knowledge, skills and commitment of our people. 'We will accelerate that work to deliver a future that improves outcomes and supports learning and teaching. 'As a former teacher from a family of teachers, I am keenly aware of the challenges faced in classrooms, colleges and across the education community, especially since the pandemic.' SQA chairman Shirley Rogers, who led the recruitment process for the new chief executive, said: 'We set the bar high to find a dynamic leader with the depth of experience, values and commitment to public service and partnership that our organisation - and Scotland - needs. 'I am absolutely delighted that Nick has chosen to join us. His career spans many achievements and a proven ability to lead through both change and challenge. 'I am confident that, drawing on these experiences and a commitment to learning from them, Nick will drive the positive transformation that ensures Qualifications Scotland delivers for every learner, every educator, and every community.'
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
New SQA chief named months before exams body scrapped
The new head of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has been named as Nick Page, just months before the exams body is Scottish government passed legislation on Wednesday to abolish the SQA within months and replace it with a new body called Qualifications Page was chief executive of Solihull Council when the authority was criticised after six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes was murdered by his step-mother in June 2020.A review in January 2023 found children faced "significant harm" due to delayed responses from the council's children's services, which it rated as "inadequate". Emma Tustin poisoned, starved and beat Arthur during the Covid lockdown. She was jailed along with Arthur's father Thomas Hughes, who was found guilty of Page resigned as chief executive of the council in the wake of the Ofsted report. He said that new leadership would bring about necessary improvements.A spokesperson for the SQA said: "Nick Page chose to step down from his last role after a critical inspection."It was a principled decision to allow fresh leadership to take improvements forward."The SQA board carried out full due diligence and was unanimous in its selection. Nick was also the unanimous choice of the SQA staff panel which interviewed all candidates." 'Transforming at pace' Mr Page's appointment comes after Fiona Robertson announced she was quitting as SQA chief executive in will begin work at the SQA on 7 July and will then lead Qualifications Scotland when it is established in former teacher said he was "honoured" to take over the role from John Booth, who held the post on an interim added: "SQA is already transforming at pace to build strong foundations for Qualifications Scotland, harnessing the deep knowledge, skills and commitment of our people."We will accelerate that work to deliver a future that improves outcomes and supports learning and teaching."We will also work across the education and skills community to ensure that assessment and awarding align with wider pathways for success."The SQA highlighted Mr Page's "track record of successful delivery, service transformation and improved outcomes across a 30-year career spanning teaching, children's services and local authority leadership".Chairwoman Shirley Rogers, who led the recruitment process for the new chief executive, said she was "absolutely delighted" with Mr Page's added: "His career spans many achievements and a proven ability to lead through both change and challenge."I am confident that, drawing on these experiences and a commitment to learning from them, Nick will drive the positive transformation that ensures Qualifications Scotland delivers for every learner, every educator, and every community."
