National 5 exams have been cancelled for 2021, Education Secretary John Swinney has announced.
Speaking at Holyrood today, Swinney confirmed that National 5s will be replaced by teacher assessments and coursework.
Higher and Advanced Higher examinations will take place next year, although they will be later than usual.
Mr Swinney said a full exam diet during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic was “too big a risk”.
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, John Swinney said: "Pupils have already lost a significant amount of learning time because of coronavirus. My priority is to ensure that learning is assessed fairly and consistently so that pupils can be confident in the results they gain.
“Given the real risk of further disruption to education, it would not be sensible or fair to plan for a full exam diet in 2021. Coronavirus has not gone away. If anything, it is making a comeback.
“In a normal exam year, National 5s constitute more than half of all exams taken. From a public health point of view, not running these exams significantly reduces risk. National 5 pupils will receive awards based on their coursework and the judgement of their teachers, with robust quality assurance. We have learned lessons from this year’s initial SQA gradings - there will be no algorithm for moderating grades in 2021.
“By replacing National 5 exams, we can hold an exam diet for Highers and Advanced Highers if public health guidance allows – these are the qualifications most pupils leave schools with that determine paths into work, college, or university.
“None of us can predict the coming weeks and months, so clear contingency plans are being developed should, for public health reasons, the exams have to be replaced. In those circumstances and only if necessary, we will award Higher and Advanced Higher grades based on teacher judgement, supported by SQA quality assurance, taking account of assessment evidence.
“My decisions on the 2021 exam diet were informed by Professor Priestley’s recommendations, widespread consultation by the SQA on the exams timetable and course assessment modifications, and by listening to the views of pupils, teachers, parents, education experts, local authorities and other stakeholders.
“We will continue to closely monitor public health advice and review arrangements as necessary. This will include key check-points up to the February break to assess public health advice and, in light of that, our plans.”
As announced by Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish Government is enforcing a two-week set of restrictions, coming into place on Friday this week.
The First Minister reassured parents that the move - which includes the closure of pubs and restaurants in the Central Belt and less strict measures elsewhere in Scotland - was not a ‘full lockdown’ that would amount to the closure of schools.
Still, Swinney admitted that students are likely to continue to face disruption in the coming months and the new year.
National 5 qualifications will be based on “teacher judgement supported by assessment” while Higher and Advanced Higher exams will take place later in the spring.
