HN ConferencePrepared for the future

SeminarWorking in partnership

Aims of the seminar

To review the lessons learned from the HN Modernisation Project

To consider best practice in implementing a partnership approach post-modernisation

To seek views on the protocols for partnership working in the future

Review of lessons learned

Based on Evaluation Report on the 2003 HN

Design Principles — www.sqa.org.uk/hn

Consultation Report on the HN Modernisation exit strategy — www.sqa.org.uk/hn

Other issues identified by SQA and HN Key Partners’ Group

Evaluation of HN Design Principles — strengths identified in the reportMajority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that: The HN Modernisation Project has ensured HNC/HNDs

are up-to-date Revision of HNC/HNDs has had a positive impact on

quality, consistency and relevance The catalogue is now manageable and there is a clearer

landscape for users SCQF benchmarking has been positive The mandatory/optional sections provide clearer

articulation but still allow flexibility Graded Units optimise retention and integration of

knowledge and skills Option of embedding and/or signposting and/or use of

dedicated Core Skills Units is an acceptable approach

Ongoing issues identified in the report Need ongoing maintenance programme to ensure

HN catalogue is kept up-to-date Further rationalisation of Units needed Still too much assessment, loading uneven across

subject areas and lack of flexibility Concern over use of too many exam-based Graded

Units Tension between primary purpose of an HNC/HND — employment or university

Verification issues regarding Graded Units

Consultation on the HN Modernisation exit strategy — main findings

The partnership approach developed during the HN Modernisation Project was extremely beneficial and should continue

Qualification Support Teams were seen as valuable to ongoing maintenance

Proposals on enhanced guidance for validation and editing of Graded Units were welcomed

Centres wished to continue to work directly with SQA on development of new Group Award titles

The publication of an HN Annual report was welcomed — now available on web (www.sqa.org.uk/hn)

Ongoing issues identified in the report Relationships, protocols and timescales

between partners needed to be firmed up HN Key Partners’ Group should review its remit

in light of post-modernisation requirements Annual report fine but need more frequent

updates Better use of, and representation on,

Qualification Support Teams, and subject networks

Sharing responsibility by working in partnership Ongoing maintenance will be shared

between Qualification Support Team and Qualification Manager — aim is to avoid duplication and keep HNs up-to-date

Minor revisions will be carried out by QST and QM

Major revisions or new developments will go through process established during HN modernisation

New titles must be distinct from existing titles and there must be no significant overlap in content/structure

Sharing responsibility by working in partnership

Consortium award will work through QM Specialist awards– Establish need for a viable qualification– Gain support of college Senior Management

Team– Inform and consult with SQA via QM– If agreed, develop/revise qualification– Validation and approval (depending on

devolved status)

SQA’s ‘part’ in the partnership — what we can do for you Maintain the HN register on:

─ Current Units and Group Awards Publish HN Annual Report for next academic year

─ What is : current, under review, being developed, lapsing Maintain a Global Planning tool

─ Ongoing, update information on status of qualifications HN Toolkit

─ Proposals for new/revised development─ Comment on existing Units or Group Awards

Qualification Portfolio Management Team─ Process information and to ensure it gets to appropriate people

Qualification Managers/Qualification Officers─ Advice, guidance and liaison

Website─ HN page─ Subject pages

Colleges ‘part’ in the partnership — what you can do for us Consult with and inform SQA on plans for revision

and development Use the HN register and the global planning tool to

ascertain what exists and to avoid overlap Inform SQA of changes to plans — so that global

planning tool can be updated and we can adjust any plans internally - hn.product@sqa.org.uk

Use the forms and tools and systems in place — this will ensure comments and proposals are tracked

Send in examples of good practice in delivery and assessment

Other measures to ensure partnership working — Qualification Support Teams

Seen as a crucial to partnership working Rationalisation and revision of the QST remit —

more focus on the Group Award Revision of the process of recruitment — centre

nomination Protocols for working with other agencies such as

SSCs and Scotland’s Colleges will observed and/or agreed

Continue with a flexible, pragmatic model for QSTs Work with Convention of Principals to gain support at

strategic level Best practice guidance will be issued by SQA on the

above in the new year

Other measures to ensure partnership working — SQA and Scotland’s Colleges Continue to develop joined-up thinking and doing Short-life working group to look at current content

and structure of different websites to explore better presentation and linkage of information

Produce protocols for interagency working through the use of QSTs, subject networks and subject mentors

Protocols will be disseminated in the new year

Other measures to ensure partnership working — HNKPG Reconstituted HNKPG Share intelligence on articulation, workforce

development, HN trends, links to other qualifications at SCQF levels 7 and above, and work on specific sectors

Link with other groups in the sector and within SQA Membership will be reviewed to reflect new remit.

Closer ties with Sector Skills Councils and articulation hubs envisaged

Will meet twice a year

Other areas of ongoing work

Assessment loading─ SQA is undertaking work on holistic and integrated

assessment and will issue further guidance in Spring 2009

Verification─ Short-term, training of verifiers─ Longer-term, SQA is reviewing and consulting on current

verification models for Group Awards

Sharing marketing and promotion ideas─ Key messages that can be used by everyone in the sector

when promoting HNs─ Information on specific qualifications─ Good case study material─ Links to information on different websites