Introduction
The purpose of this toolkit is to provide you with:
- access to SQA guidance and resources that are designed to help you take forward the development of Awards (AWDs),National Certificates (NCs), National Progression Awards (NPAs), Higher National Certificates (HNCs), Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Professional Development Awards (PDAs) using a consistent methodology
- a set of templates which can be adapted to meet your centre’s needs, and can be used to keep SQA qualifications teams informed of your developments.
These guidelines apply where SQA manages the validation process - ie where a centre does not have devolved authority for the validation of SQA qualifications. Centres with devolved authority for the validation of Group Awards have full responsibility for validation using their own systems, although you may use the guidance and tools provided in this toolkit.
However, SQA seeks to ensure good planning, best use of resources, avoidance of duplication of effort and the non-proliferation of Units/Group Awards and therefore it is recommended that centres with devolved authority tell us about the revision or development of AWDs, NCs, NPAs, HNCs, HNDs and PDAs. Centres must also seek SQA authorisation for the revision or development of any Units. SQA will either advise centres to proceed with Unit development/revision or will provide feedback on why a particular development/revision should not take place. Centres will follow normal validation processes for SQA validation of Units. Once Units are validated, centres will follow Group Award validation processes.
Note: Throughout the process of development, you should keep SQA informed of your progress by using the forms included in this toolkit. These forms fall into two categories:
- Forms to submit to us. These have the SQA logo embedded. You should not change the layout of these forms.
- Forms to use as tools. These can be tailored to meet your centre’s particular needs. These forms will usually include a space for insertion of your centre’s logo.
The toolkit covers the general processes for developing and validating AWDs, NCs, NPAs, HNCs, HNDs and PDAs at all levels. If there are any queries on any aspect of the revision or development of these qualifications please contact the QPM Team.