Understanding SQA National Qualifications at The High School of Glasgow
In the Senior School, from Transitus (Primary 7), pupils receive an all-round education that includes a wide rotation of subjects at senior level and includes strong foundations in science, the arts and modern languages.
This early introduction to Senior School life for Primary 7 aged pupils helps them to identify their interests and strengths, allowing them to confidently choose the path that is right for them.
As pupils continue on through the Senior School, the wide and varied range of subjects and interdisciplinary learning on offer allows for programmes of learning to be tailored to each individual child. Our curriculum is designed to ensure a coherent approach, with aspirational and challenging experiences across all areas.
Senior School pupils are taught in small sets (classes), keeping the pupil-to-teacher ratio low and ensuring that the needs of each of our young learners are seen and heard.
In this article, we will explore, in depth the SQA National Qualification Levels in Scotland offered at the High School.
National Qualifications in Scotland
National Qualification exams are set by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). At the High School we present pupils for National 5 exams in Fourth Year, Highers in Fifth Year and Highers and Advanced Highers in Sixth Year.
The Scottish Government has developed the Curriculum for Excellence (CFE) for pupils aged 3-15 to deliver a broad education with greater emphasis on independent learning.
The Different National Qualifications Explained
National 5
National 5 coursework begins in Senior 3 and continues in Senior 4, with pupils at The High School of Glasgow sitting their National 5 exams during the SQA diet of exams in April/May time during their Fourth Year.
National 5 courses are assessed through exams or coursework, or both. All pupils sit eight subjects with Maths and English compulsary and one Science, one Language and at least one Social subject advised.
The courses are graded A to D or 'no award'. You may remember National 5 qualifications as Standard Grades from your time at school.
In broad terms, National 5 qualifications are the Scottish equivalent of England’s GCSEs.
Higher
At The High School of Glasgow, Highers are studied in Fifth Year, pupils sit five Highers, with English a compulsory subject. The course assessment involves an exam or coursework, or both.
The courses are graded A to D or 'no award'. Highers are the standard entry requirements for higher education in Scotland.
Advanced Higher
Advanced Highers are studied in Sixth Year and involves an exam or coursework, or both. Pupils take a maximum of three Advanced Highers in any subjects of their choosing depending on their desired university course.
Advanced Highers generally aren’t required for entry into Scottish universities but are a very helpful bridge between school learning and university learning as there is an emphasis on independent study and research, with many subjects requiring dissertations to be written and submitted.
English universities tend to offer conditional places based on certain Advanced Higher awards. The courses are graded A to D or 'no award'. They provide excellent preparation for learners progressing to further, higher education.
SQA Exams at The High School of Glasgow
At The High School of Glasgow, our pupils' performance in SQA National Examinations is consistently amongst the very best in Scotland.
Pupils are usually presented for exams in eight subjects at National 5 and five subjects at Higher level. However, a small number of pupils choose to sit more than five Highers in one sitting.
We are incredibly proud of the results achieved by our pupils in National Examinations and are wholly committed to not only maintaining these excellent standards, but, where possible, improving on them.
For more information on our academic results, please see here.