Research reveals SQA is making positive progress among Scotland's teachers and learners

Wednesday 11 December 2024

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) today published findings from one of its largest surveys of teachers, learners, parents and carers across Scotland.

These results show significant progress against the baselines established in the recently published Prospectus for Change and towards the ambitious targets set for 2027.

The independent research involved more than a thousand learners and hundreds of teachers and school leaders. Parents and carers from across the country were also asked for their views on the national awarding body.

Key topics included the credibility of national qualifications, how good a job SQA does in consulting, communicating and engaging with those it serves, and overall satisfaction levels with performance.

SQA Director of Communications John Booth welcomed the improved scores as proof that the transformation already under way at SQA is delivering tangible progress towards the 2027 targets.

Mr Booth said: “These independent results demonstrate our commitment to delivering for Scotland’s learners and educators today, while laying strong foundations for Qualifications Scotland.

“The improvements reflect progress against the baselines we established in the Prospectus for Change, showing that we are well on the way towards our ambitious 2027 targets. It is particularly pleasing to see strong increases among groups who previously felt that SQA did not listen to them, including classroom teachers who are the heart of our education system.

“We are working hard to become a listening organisation. These scores have improved substantially but we recognise that in many areas there is still much more work to be done.

“So, we will redouble our efforts to give every educator and every learner a voice in their national awarding body and build and strengthen relationships across the education and skills community.

“In line with the commitments within our ambitious Prospectus for Change, we will continue publishing this research annually to promote a culture of openness and evidence-based decision making within SQA, in support of the wider education and skills community.

“This will give all of our partners and stakeholders confidence that the national awarding body is delivering on our promise to rebuild trust with educators and learners as we move towards the establishment of Qualifications Scotland.”

Key Achievements

• Widespread improvements: The 2024 research saw year-on-year increases in scores across 31 out of 38 key metrics, covering areas such as satisfaction, credibility, communication, and engagement.

Key findings by audience

Classroom teachers

• Engagement scores among classroom teachers improved from a baseline 2.56 to 3.97 out of 10. ​​In 2023, SQA launched an annual centre visit programme led by our Chief Executive which has seen senior SQA colleagues visit schools and colleges across Scotland, to ensure the ‘voice of the staffroom’ shapes our services and qualifications.
• Satisfaction and communications scores also increased significantly from the baseline – with satisfaction up from 3.95 to 5.1 and communications up from 4.23 to 5.72.

School leaders

• School leaders reported marked improvements, with satisfaction scores rising and engagement scores improving from 4.73 to 6.33​​.
• These improvements reflect SQA’s commitment to rebuilding trust and strengthening relationships with senior teachers, principals and management within schools and colleges, and with their representative organisations​.

School learners

• More than 1,100 learners participated, with engagement scores improving from 4.25 to 4.70 and credibility scores rising from 35% to 46%​​.
• Learner satisfaction also increased year-on-year, particularly in how SQA communicates and includes learners in shaping the future of qualifications​​.

Parents and carers

• Engagement with over 250 parents and carers revealed room for improvement with consultation and engagement scores decreasing from 7.29 to 6.29. SQA is developing an action plan to improve communication and engagement with this critical group.

Improvement in Qualification Credibility

Highers, Advanced Highers and National 5s

• The credibility of Highers rose from 87% in 2023 to 92% in 2024. Advanced Highers improved from 88% to 91% and the National 5 score rose from 79% to 81%.

National 4s and National 3s

• The most significant improvements were seen at these levels, with National 4s rising from 42% to 59% and National 3s increasing from 33% to 50%.

Mr Booth added: “The credibility of qualifications is precious and central to our mission. Seeing these improvements, including large increases at National 3 and National 4, is great news for everyone within the education community.

“As we prepare for Qualifications Scotland, we are committed to maintaining and building on these standards.”

The Key Audience Research results align closely with SQA’s broader strategic commitments outlined in its ambitious new Prospectus for Change. The plan focuses on three core pledges: resetting relationships with stakeholders, harnessing technology for more efficient delivery of qualifications, and modernising assessments to better reflect societal and economic changes.

Mr Booth added: “Our journey to Qualifications Scotland is guided by the principles of openness and accountability. Publishing the Key Audience Research annually not only allows us to transparently track our progress but also ensures that the voices of learners, educators, and parents and carers are at the heart of our decisions.”

The 2024 Key Audience Research report is now available on the SQA website. Read the full findings.