FOI24/25 060 Higher History Grade Boundary Meeting 2024

In the run up to exam results day the SQA held over 140 grade boundary meetings were held over five weeks. I would be grateful if you could provide the following information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002:

-the minutes from the Higher history grade boundary meeting

-any papers shared with those attending the Higher history grade boundary meeting

I would like to receive any information via FOI, please.

Minutes are not taken at the Grade Boundary meetings. However, there is a Decision-Making Record that is produced from the meeting. This is attached.

Please note that we have removed the name of a non SQA person, as this is deemed to be personal information and is exempt under section 38(1)b).

We are unable to share the papers provided to attendees as these are considered exempt under section 30(b)(i) and (ii).

There is detailed statistical information provided to the attendees along with reports submitted by Principal Assessors and markers, which includes their observations based on their experience of the assessments they have set and marked.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible SQA has withheld some information where exemption 30(b)(i) and (ii) – the free and frank provision of advice, and the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation - applies. The exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice and exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. The Principal Assessors' and markers' comments are provided to the attendees of the meeting as one of the sources of information that allows them to consider this year’s grade boundaries. The statistical information is also used to inform decisions.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

We recognise that there will be an interest in disclosing information as part of being an open, transparent and accountable public body, and to inform public debate. We appreciate that is interest in how the decisions are taken in applying the grade boundaries. On our website we have published general information which explains our approach, available using the following link:

How exams are marked and grades decided - SQA

and in each of the last three years a Methodology Report which sets out our specific approach in each of these years in some detail. The Methodology Report for 2024 is available using the following link.

National Qualifications 2024 – Awarding Methodology Report (sqa.org.uk)

Course reports, including the report for Higher History, will be available on the NQ section of the SQA website later this month.

However, it is also important that the attendees at grade boundary meetings have the private space in which to share and discuss the information. Disclosing the content would substantially inhibit the provision of advice and the exchange of views in the future. Principal Assessors and markers would be reluctant to provide open and honest comments if these were to be placed in the public domain and this would substantially inhibit the ability to determine fair grade boundaries.

We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. Whilst there will be an interest in the discussions that took place, we consider that the public interest lies more in allowing the information provided to the attendees to remain undisclosed to allow the deliberations to be undertaken in an open manner.

Accordingly, taking account of the circumstances of this case, we consider that the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.

foi-24-25-060-higher-history-decision-making-record (237 KB)