The NPFS is pleased that overall pass rates have increased from last year but recognise that young people and their parents may have questions about the results, especially as a number of the marks have been adjusted by the SQA. Your school is the main contact for help or advice, and the SQA and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) are providing information and helplines. We’ve supplied links to these below. We’re also planning to have a live Q&A for parents, so questions can be directed to the SQA.
Today NPFS Chair, Joanna Murphy, said:
“Congratulations to all of our learners on their hard work. This has been an uncertain time for our children and young people. They’ve had a lot to cope with so, whatever their academic result, I hope they’re all very proud of themselves.
“As a parent of an S5 pupil, I understand how worried parents and carers have been about the impact school closures and cancelled exams has had on our children. Their health and wellbeing is what’s most important, so we need to make sure they get all the support they need. Our children have achieved a lot and in very challenging circumstances. These achievements need to be recognised and celebrated as they move forward with their lives, whether that’s towards work or further learning.”
Information from the SQA can be found here: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/65952.html
The Skills Development Scotland helpline is open from 8am to 8pm on Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th August and from 9am to 5pm on the 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th and 12th August. Advisers will be offering advice, information and support for young people and their parents and carers. The number to call is 0808 100 8000.
There’s also lots of support on Scotland’s careers website, My World of Work: https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk
You will find a lot of useful information on the NPFS website, including:
• Publications on learning and careers: https://www.npfs.org.uk/downloads/
• A back to school guide for parents: https://www.npfs.org.uk/2020/07/23/back-to-school-guidance-for-parents-and-carers/
• Back to school webinars to help you support your child’s learning and the transition back to full-time school: https://www.npfs.org.uk/2020/07/31/back-to-school-webinars/
• You can also sign-up to the NPFS newsletter. This will keep you up to date with Scottish education and events, including a series of live NPFS parent Q&As: https://www.npfs.org.uk/join-our-mailing-list/
*NOTES TO EDITORS*
The National Parent Forum of Scotland is a national body led by and for parents. Since its inception in 2009, it has undergone rapid development and is now an influential national and independent body, working on behalf of parents across Scotland to help every pre-school and school pupil maximise their potential.
The National Parent Forum of Scotland is comprised of one volunteer parent/carer representative from each of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas. Please visit www.parentforumscotland.org for more details.
The National Parent Forum of Scotland represents parents and carers through parent councils, and we are involved in engagement at local and national levels of government to make sure that parents and carers have a full and equal voice in our children’s education.
We represent ALL parents and carers and we appreciate that there are a wide range of views and opinions on measures being put in place for going back to school and the plans for blended learning as a contingency in case future lockdowns are required. It is the view of the NPFS that the safety and wellbeing of our children is of paramount importance and we must adhere to Scottish Government guidance.
The NPFS has sat on the Education Recovery Group at the invitation of the Scottish Government and we have ensured that the mainstream views of parents and carers from all corners of Scotland have informed the consultation process.