Section 96(7) Equality Act 2010

Specifications on Reasonable Adjustments in National Qualifications in Scotland

Section 96(7) of the Equality Act 2010 gives SQA as the appropriate regulator of general qualifications in Scotland a power to specify and publish where 'reasonable adjustments' to National Qualifications should not be made. Reasonable adjustments are steps taken to avoid a disadvantage to a disabled person. The relevant General Qualifications in Scotland covered by section 96 of the Equality Act 2010 are:

SQA consulted on its proposals to exercise this power. Having carefully considered the responses to the consultation, SQA is making a small number of specifications as set out below. They are also listed in the report on the outcome of the consultation (305 KB).

Curriculum for Excellence

National Courses that were developed under the Curriculum for Excellence programme were reviewed for accessibility following SQA's Equality Review of Qualifications Process. Consideration of the reasonable adjustments which could be made to provide access to SQA qualifications for disabled learners was part of this process.

Where barriers for disabled learners were identified, consideration was given to whether these barriers could be removed or their adverse impact mitigated by the provision of reasonable adjustments. In some National Qualifications, a small number of adjustments were considered to be inappropriate because they compromised specific assessment objectives (i.e. the skills, knowledge and understanding being assessed by the qualification) and therefore undermined the meaning and value of the qualification.

Adjustments which cannot be made

Specifying and publishing these adjustments which cannot be made will provide clarity and certainty for candidates, parents, centres and others using the qualifications and will be helpful for candidates in making appropriate qualification choices.

In making the specifications set out in this document, SQA has taken account of:

SQA will continue to consider individual requests for other reasonable adjustments, determining what adjustments might be reasonable based on individual need and on the need to maintain the integrity of the qualification.

The specifications will be kept under regular review.

Removal of specification 3

Specification 3 stated that in the Literacy units (which are required in National 3 and 4 English), a learner could not be exempted from any of the four skills being assessed (Reading, Writing, Listening or Talking). Learners could not use human readers and scribes where reading and writing skills are being assessed. SQA has decided, based on feedback from our partners, including schools, colleges and training providers, to remove Specification 3.

Specifications

All of the specifications will come into effect from August 2013.