“Newbattle made my heart change, made my soul change, made everything inside me light up.”

Suzanne, 35, has faced many challenges in her life. Growing up in the care system, becoming a mum aged 14, managing dyslexia, ADHD, and a physical disability meant education was never easy. But with the support of Newbattle Abbey College (NAC) and by using Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), Suzanne found her path.

Suzanne Bowers, who is a care-experienced mum with ADHD and dyslexia. She entered college at SCQF level 6 and is now thriving at university, studying a Masters at SCQF level 10
Proud: Suzanne Bowers has fought against many challenges to achieve an SCQF level 6 qualification, and is now studying for a Masters at SCQF level 10

Suzanne’s journey

Suzanne had previously tried to enrol in an SCQF level 7 HNC Working in Communities course, but lacked the necessary qualifications. She also explored youth work, but quickly realised it wasn’t the right fit.

It wasn’t until she reached out to the Hub for Success, an organisation dedicated to supporting care-experienced individuals in higher education, that she was signposted to NAC.

She accepted a place on the SWAP Access to Higher Education course at SCQF level 6. This marked the beginning of Suzanne’s educational transformation.

Support for care-experienced students

At NAC, Suzanne found a strong community of care-experienced students.

She became a proud member of the Care Leavers group, where she found others with similar experiences.

She said: “I am a care leaver, and I am a proud care leaver. I am proud to tell the world where I came from.

“At the group, we all opened up and started speaking about it. Being in a supportive environment meant people were able to be honest.”

Overcoming challenges

Dyslexia had always been a barrier for Suzanne, but at NAC, she was given the help she needed. “Once I got the support, everything changed,” she shared.

Receiving the ADHD diagnosis played a key role in Suzanne’s success as it helped her better understand herself and approach learning with confidence.

Jessie Crawford, from the Hub, explained: “People come to Newbattle without any formal diagnoses, and Newbattle supported Suzanne to get an assessment done.

“This early intervention helped her get the necessary adjustments for university in a timely manner, ensuring a smooth transition.”

Next steps at SCQF level 10

Now, Suzanne is a first-year student at Edinburgh University, studying for an MA in Learning in Communities at SCQF level 10.

Her journey through the SCQF shows how the framework can provide a clear path for learners.

For Suzanne, Newbattle Abbey College has been more than just a stepping stone in her education. It has been a life-changing experience. “I wouldn’t have been able to get to university if it wasn’t for Newbattle. The environment is life-changing and incredible,” she explained.

Suzanne feels equipped to face the challenges ahead, thanks to the skills and support she gained at NAC. “I’ve learned skills to take forward – I can now deal with the challenges that I’m facing at uni.”

‘Everyone can achieve’

For Suzanne, returning to education wasn’t just about overcoming academic challenges. It was about proving to herself and society that care-experienced people can succeed.

She said: “I want to prove to society that everybody can achieve, no matter your background. It doesn’t matter what age you are.

“I want to help other young people. That’s why this case study is important to me. I want to tell the world that if you get the right support, like I did at Newbattle, then care experience shouldn’t be a barrier to anybody.”

What is the SCQF?

The SCQF is the qualifications framework for Scotland. You can use it to compare and understand our country’s wide range of qualifications. If you’re unsure what SCQF level you’re working or studying at, try our Know your SCQF Level tool.

  • The Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) supports access to higher education for adult learners. The courses are specifically developed for adults who have no or few qualifications and who have been out of education for some time. SWAP access programmes at SCQF level 6 run at colleges across Scotland and are a proven route into hundreds of degree courses at partner universities. Explore what’s available with SWAP.
  • Find out more about the courses offered at Newbattle Abbey College.
  • The HUB for SUCCESS works alongside people with care experience to get in, stay in and return to college and university.

“I never wanted to go to college. I really didn’t like school, so I didn’t want to do anything like that again.”

For many young people, further education can feel out of reach – especially if school wasn’t a positive experience.

3 Prep for Next Steps learners stand holding their certificates up on a wooden stairway with 2 course tutors.
Certificate joy: Young people are thrilled to receive a qualification for their hard work in the Prep for Next Steps programme

Low confidence, limited life skills, and uncertainty about future careers often create barriers that seem impossible to overcome.

But, thanks to a groundbreaking programme by Newbattle Abbey College (NAC) and Mayfield and Easthouses Youth 2000 Project (Y2K), young people in Midlothian are discovering new pathways into education, training, and employment – many for the first time.

Bridging the gap: From youth work to college

The 12-week programme, called Prep for Next Steps, funded by Midlothian Council and the Scottish Funding Council, is designed for young people aged 16-21 who have left school without a clear next step.

Many participants lacked confidence in their abilities, felt disconnected from education, and never imagined themselves in a college environment.

This initiative changed that by offering a flexible, supportive approach, allowing learners to develop practical life skills while earning SCQF-recognised qualifications that could open doors to higher education, training, and employment.

The two-stage process made the transition into learning accessible and non-intimidating:
✅ Stage 1 – Life Skills at Y2K: Participants gained confidence through practical workshops on budgeting, cooking, CV writing, and interview preparation. The youth work setting helped them develop trust and motivation.
✅ Stage 2 – A qualification at NAC: With ongoing support from Y2K, learners transitioned to NAC, working towards an Adult Achievement Award at an SCQF level suited to them (SCQF Levels 2-6).

By combining youth work support with structured education, the programme introduced college as a safe, achievable, and rewarding experience.

A learner’s journey in Prep for Next Steps

One participant described their unexpected transformation:

For this young person, earning a qualification wasn’t just about education – it was about building self-belief, resilience and motivation.

SCQF pathways: Real success stories

The programme’s impact is life-changing:
📌 75% of participants progressed to NAC’s Preparation for Learning and Work course
📌 Some have since advanced to SCQF Level 6 NC Social Sciences – a huge achievement for those previously disengaged from learning
📌 Participants report improved mental health, diet, better sleep, and stronger social connections

One learner summed it up perfectly:

Why Prep for Next Steps works: A collaborative approach

The success of the programme is rooted in the strong partnership between Y2K and NAC.

By breaking down barriers and prioritising relationship-based learning, they have created a new way to engage young people who never thought education was for them.

Denise McNulty, NAC lecturer in Adult Learning, explained: “Y2K nurtured a deep trust with the young people on the course through their knowledge of the community.

4 people sit at a table; 3 are writing on paper, while another in a red jumper is talking to the group
Group work: The programme challenges learners to take part in various activities that build their life skills

“This trust allowed them to offer tailored support, which has been invaluable – not just for me as a lecturer but, more importantly, for the success of each learner.”

Lynsey Ritchie, Project Manager at Y2K, added: “Working in partnership with Newbattle Abbey College has given young people a distinctive chance to enhance their skills, build confidence, and gain experience of learning in college.

“We have observed the positive effects on participants, who have not only achieved recognised awards but also developed vital life skills.

“Our holistic, person-centred approach has resulted in a sense of comfort and empowerment, enabling young people to recognise their own potential and identify their own personal goals.”

Rather than forcing learners into rigid systems, this person-centred approach has helped young people take control of their future and education.

Expanding opportunities: What’s next?

Due to Prep for Next Step’s success, NAC and Y2K are scaling up their efforts to support even more young people. The next phase will offer:
🚀 Three 12-week programmes per year, giving more learners access to qualifications that are on the SCQF
🎓 Opportunities for progression into further education, apprenticeships, and employment
💡 A flexible, supportive approach to suit individual learner needs

The goal? To transform how disengaged young people see education, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to meaningful qualifications and career opportunities.

For young people who once felt lost, this programme proves that with the right support, education is for everyone.

For more information about NAC’s Adult Achievement Awards, visit their website.

For more information about Y2K, visit their website.

Find out more about SCQF levels.

Bo’ness Academy is a mid-sized, non-denominational school in the central belt of Scotland. We have a school roll of around 850 pupils and serve Bo’ness and its surrounding villages.

Achievement: Bo’ness Academy SCQF Ambassadors with their silver plaque

Pupils study six subjects in S4, and five subjects and a Wider Achievement Opportunity in S5. In S6, they can take up a range of opportunities, depending on the individual’s requirements.

The majority of Advanced Higher subjects are offered on consortia arrangements. We also provide numerous extra-curricular activities and opportunities for our young people.

Raising SCQF awareness

Bo’ness Academy took part in SCQF training with Donnie Wood in 2022. Since then, we have worked on embedding Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) into our school culture and began our SCQF journey.

We officially joined the SCQF Ambassador programme in 2024 and achieved our silver SCQF Ambassador Award that same year.

We have 12 SCQF Ambassadors from year groups ranging from S2 to S6. Their role is to promote the SCQF and the variety of qualifications and experiences that we have on offer at Bo’ness Academy.

They will take responsibility for training future Ambassadors to progress the programme going forward.

The Ambassador training took place in September 2024. Our Ambassadors had the opportunity to learn all about the SCQF. They then distributed roles to raise awareness within the school community.

Our plan

The initial plan included:

  • Raising pupil awareness by creating videos to share during class, creating an X page and regularly updating our blog
  • Increasing parental awareness by having a stall at the careers fair and parents’ evenings, and sharing our blog on X
  • Collating curriculum pathways from each department and sharing the experiences on offer by conducting staff and pupil interviews
  • Raising staff awareness by conducting informative talks during meetings and contributing to the DYW newsletter
  • Engaging staff in the SCQF through questionnaires and reflective exercises
  • Embedding SCQF levels language throughout the school by including it in course choices.

Pathways

Bo’ness Academy has had a variety of qualifications available for several years, however, our primary aim was to promote the SCQF levels language within the school.

Three Bo'Ness Academy SCQF Ambassadors standing behind a desk that features SCQF leaflets for parents' night. Their SCQF board is to the right, showing the different pathways on offer at the school
Spreading the word: Ambassadors have been promoting the SCQF at events in the school

We also wanted to ensure pupils, parents/carers and staff had a clear understanding of learner pathways and the opportunities available.

Since introducing the programme, we have been enhancing the capacity of staff, students, and parents/carers to understand how the SCQF and a wider range of qualifications can be transformative.

This shift in mind-set has led to the introduction of additional qualifications at SCQF levels 5 and 6, such as the Volunteering and Leadership Awards, CREST Award and STEM Leaders Award, as well as Barista Skills, Level 5 NPA Photography and many more.

Additionally, many students are pursuing NCs, Foundation Apprenticeships, HNCs and Apprenticeships, in partnership with Forth Valley College.

At the core of our School Improvement Plan (in-line with How Good Is Our School 4th edition) is:

  • A focus on improving progression pathways to meet the needs of all learners
  • To optimise opportunities for attainment
  • For all curricular areas to implement and review their SCQF progression pathways plan.

The benefits of changing our curriculum

Every year at Bo’ness Academy, our curriculum is changing and adapting to our pupil needs to ensure we are getting it right for every child.

This year, we have introduced levels 5 and 6 Leadership and Volunteering Awards to all S6s to ensure they have a positive and transformative leadership role during their final year at school.

Through this qualification, seniors have led clubs, fundraising initiatives, study support sessions and teaching sessions within the secondary school and local primary schools. This has significantly improved their confidence and communication skills.

We introduced our Level 4 and 5 Preparation for Employment and National 4 Rural Skills Awards this year which are greatly supporting some of our young people in gaining invaluable life skills.

Our pupils now have the opportunity to progress from a level 5 to a level 7 in art and design, and student feedback has been hugely positive.

Additional wider achievement opportunities include:

  • CREST Award
  • Young STEM Leader
  • John Muir Award
  • Duke of Edinburgh
  • Youth Philanthropy Initiative
  • Dynamic Youth Award
  • Saltire Award.

Our staff are keen to provide as many fantastic opportunities to our young people as possible and always willing to adapt to suit changing requirements and needs.

A large board featuring the words 'SCQF Ambassador', the SCQF diagram, and the different pathways on offer at Bo'Ness Academy
Creative: Ambassadors created a board for pupils to learn about the SCQF

Promoting the SCQF

We have developed a variety of innovative ways to promote the SCQF and its benefits to our school and the wider community, including:

  • Ambassadors created several promotional videos detailing what the SCQF is and its benefits, as well as how to access the website and utilise it effectively. These videos were shown whole-school during SCQF Week and subsequent videos were shown during PSE lessons in Careers Week
  • We have developed a blog that is shared to pupils and parents/carers through our X account, as well as in our termly DYW newsletter
  • Creating a display board in the school hub space so that pupils are reminded of the SCQF during their break and lunchtime
  • Ambassadors volunteered their time to talk to pupils, parents and carers and distribute SCQF resources at their stall during parents’ evenings and the careers fair
  • Conducting interviews with staff and pupils, which have been shared on the blog, about the variety of qualifications on offer and their benefits
  • Each faculty has compiled a list of their qualifications and learner pathways at each level and our course choice documentation has embedded levels language. These have been shared on our blogs and to parents/carers
  • Ambassadors have been speaking to their peers about the qualifications in the run up to course choice.
  • We have a page on our school website about the SCQF and our progress
  • Our SCQF lead and DYW depute head have attended various SCQF training sessions to enhance our understanding and provide additional support to the school community.

Next steps

Going forward, we have made plans to collaborate with another high school in the local authority for Ambassadors to work together to create engaging promotional resources and Ambassador training materials.

We also plan to collaborate with the pupils sitting National 4 Rural Skills to plant the seeds that we received from the SCQF after achieving our Silver Award. We will plant them in our garden space alongside our SCQF plaque to showcase how deeply the SCQF is embedded within our school community.

Going for gold

To achieve our Gold SCQF Award, we will:

  • Continue to promote the SCQF through more innovative approaches developed by our ambassadors
  • Collaborate with Braes High School Ambassadors to create promotional and training resources to be utilised within the local authority
  • Work with other schools outwith the authority who have achieved Gold and support other schools on their SCQF journey
  • Build more external relationships and provide further opportunities for pupils to gain qualifications with external bodies
  • Continue to develop interdisciplinary activities
  • Enhance an ethos in which alternative curricular pathways are welcomed and encouraged.

SCQF Ambassadors

Our Ambassadors were selected by their teachers and members of senior management as recognition for their commitment to their education and the school community.

Senior Ambassadors gain a Level 6 leadership award for their efforts and all Ambassadors acquire Saltire Voluntary Hours for their commitment to the role.

One Ambassador said:

Former pupil Amy said:

I decided to take the Level 5 Barista Skills for Work qualification, which is at the same level as a National 5. The most important skill I learned was problem-solving because, no matter how much we planned for an event, something always came up and we had to learn to think on our feet. All the skills I learned are used daily in what I do now, which is working in customer service at a 4-star hotel. The Barista qualification solidified my ideas of what I wanted to do after school, which was to work at a high-service establishment. I don’t think I would have been considered for the position if I had not done my Barista training.

Kilwinning Academy pupils and staff hold up the Silver SCQF Ambassador plaque

Kilwinning Academy strives to be an ambitious, successful school, based on the principles of nurture.

We are welcoming, supportive and inclusive. Both academic and vocational achievements are recognised and celebrated.

About Kilwinning Academy

  • The school is a non-denominational comprehensive school with a roll of 856 pupils.
  • There are significant levels of deprivation in the local area: 67.2% of the school roll live in SIMD 1-3.
  • The school utilises a range of strategies to improve pupil attainment, including participation in the Reach Programme and Summer School.
    Last session, 27% of the original S4 cohort secured a place at university and 9% attained 5 Highers at A-C. A total of 95% overall achieved a positive destination, which is above average for North Ayrshire
SCQF Ambassadors from Kilwinning Academy, Marr College and Queen Margaret Academy sit around a table
SCQF Ambassadors from Kilwinning Academy and Marr College

Our SCQF School Ambassador journey

We became a Bronze SCQF Ambassador school in June 2024 and have already progressed to Silver.

We have made big changes to our curriculum over the last few years and this has massively benefited our pupils. We now offer: 

  • Level 4 – Enterprise and Employability – Nails
  • Level 4 – Barista Skills – Customer Service
  • Level 4 – Bike Maintenance – Enterprise Award
  • Level 6 – NPA Journalism
  • Science & Technology Level 5
  • SfW Health Sector Level 5
  • Level 5 –  NPA Furniture Making
  • Levels 3/4 Employability award for S3/4 pupils (completed during PSHE)
  • Music Tech N5
  • Level 4 – Childcare
  • Level 4 – Internet safety Award
  • Level 4 Security fundamentals (unit only)
  • Level 5 – Criminology
  • Level 5 – Scottish Studies

S5/6 pupils can also attend Ayrshire College and pick from 31 college options. Choices include Foundation Apprenticeships in Engineering and Social Services, Children & Young People, There’s also a variety of National Progression Awards (NPAs) at levels 5 and 6, Skills for Work programmes at levels 4 and 5, and even some HNCs at SCQF level 7. 

An SCQF board has been created and Ambassadors attend parents’ evenings to share pathways and their own experiences of undertaking an NPA.

National Progression Awards (NPAs)

NPAs are perhaps less well known by parents. These awards are aimed at developing and assessing vocational skills and can give young people a greater insight and experience of a particular industry.

A visual map of Kilwinning Academy's pathways from Art & Design pupils, taking them from SCQF level 4 to 7

NPAs are typically assessed through ongoing gathering of evidence and do not have formal exams. We have found that this takes the pressure off senior pupils and provides an opportunity for them to explore a new subject which may boost their study and career goals.

To provide a visual representation of learning opportunities, our SCQF Ambassadors have created subject pathways by SCQF level for each faculty.

Highlights have included:

  • Ambassadors speaking to S2/S4 pupils in Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) classes to raise awareness of the SCQF.
  • Our annual careers event for S4-6 pupils, which 28 employers attended.
  • We ran a financial workshop for S6 pupils to learn more about personal finance.
  • We launched new level 4 qualifications.
  • In November, the Lord-Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran, Sheriff McDonald, attended our DYW launch of our NPAs in Nails, Cycle Maintenance and Barista.

We promote what we’re doing at school on our X account – @KilwAcadDYW. This includes our work with local employers such as GE Caledonian, PwC, Polestar, the NHS and Dains Accountants. We also share training and apprenticeship opportunities, as well as careers advice and information.

We have been working with neighbouring Ayrshire schools, Marr College and Queen Margaret Academy, both Gold Ambassador schools, to share ideas and learn lessons from their SCQF journey to help us on our way to Gold.

Next steps

Looking to the future, we want to increase the number and type of qualifications that we offer at Kilwinning Academy.

And watch this space for a new blog from our Ambassadors talking about why they wanted to become SCQF Ambassadors and what they have learned from the role.

As they say, every day’s a school day!

Pupil quote:

Did you know that men account for 75% of suicides, making it the leading cause of death for men under 45?

These staggering statistics highlight the urgent need for mental health support for men.

Brothers in Arms, a Scottish charity dedicated to male mental well-being, is leading the way. It has launched an innovative mental health training programme that features on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

Brothers in Arms duo Gary Goldie and ??? who have had their qualifications credit rated to the SCQF

‘Introduction to Conversations for Male Mental Health’ has been credit-rated at SCQF level 5, with one credit point. This shows that the programme is the same level of difficulty as a National 5 and takes 10 hours to complete.

Gary Goldie: The vision behind the programme

The programme wouldn’t exist without the passion and expertise of Gary Goldie. As a personal trainer and mental health advocate, Gary has been instrumental in its development.

In collaboration with the Violence Reduction Unit, part of Police Scotland, Gary and the team identified that men found it much easier to open up to their barbers than their GP.

With vital input and experience from Rebel Rebel Barbers and support from the Psychology Department at Strathclyde University a structured approach to addressing sensitive topics such as depression, self harm and suicide was created.

This led to the creation of the Reaching In conversations. These conversations provide barbers and other professionals with tools to broach difficult subjects and offer non-judgemental support.

Gary then delivered the training to various student groups within Glasgow Clyde College, and decided to have the programme credit rated onto the SCQF.

During the process, he worked closely with all partners to ensure the design of the programme met the highest standards.

Brothers in Arms at Glasgow Clyde College, with students, celebrating the qualification being credit rated onto the SCQF
The Brothers in Arms team with Glasgow Clyde College staff and students

Why SCQF credit rating matters

Placing the training on the SCQF means learners earn a recognised qualification that is quality assured, while developing key skills.

It is a valuable addition to a CV, and having it on the SCQF ensures that employers will understand its level of difficulty and worth.

What participants are saying

The programme is being delivered at Glasgow Clyde College to students studying hairdressing, sport, fitness and construction. Learners have praised its transformative impact.

Duncan Fisher, a facilities officer at Edrington and course participant, said: “This course has been hugely impactful. I feel much more equipped to support others and start meaningful conversations about mental health.”

With skills in active listening, resilience and crisis intervention, participants are prepared to make a real difference in their personal and professional lives.

The Brothers in Arms team who are celebrating after having the qualification credit rated onto the SCQF
The Brothers in Arms team has been working with college students

Who is the course for?

This programme is designed for:

  • Professionals in education, healthcare and charity sectors
  • Managers and HR professionals
  • Social workers and community leaders
  • Individuals who want to better support the men in their lives

Whether you’re helping a colleague, friend or family member, this course empowers you to approach mental health conversations with confidence and care.

Brothers in Arms: Technology meets compassion

Brothers in Arms uses cutting-edge technology to support male mental health. Their Blethr digital therapy platform offers free, anonymous support tailored specifically for men. With no data stored and no referrals needed, Blethr creates a safe space for men to manage their mental well-being.

A training session for the Brothers in Arms qualification, which has been credit rated to the SCQF
Brothers in Arms deliver a training session

To date, over 2,000 men have accessed therapy through Blethr, while more than 3,000 have engaged with Brothers in Arms’ support content.

How you can make a difference

Introduction to Conversations for Male Mental Health is more than a qualification—it’s a tool for creating positive change in male mental health. By empowering people to have meaningful conversations, Brothers in Arms is working to save lives and break the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Ready to take the first step?

Learn more about the Introduction to Conversations for Male Mental Health programme.

Brothers in arms black, green and white logo

Explore the Blethr platform for free digital therapy.

Please note, Brothers in Arms is not a crisis service. For urgent help, contact your GP or Samaritans on 116123.

For more information on having your training programme credit rated to the SCQF, please visit Get Your Programme on the SCQF.

Kirkintilloch High School, in East Dunbartonshire, has earned its silver SCQF Ambassador status. Read all about how staff have transformed their senior phase course by introducing various alternative qualifications, including National Progression Awards (NPAs), Foundation Apprenticeships and Skills for Word Awards.

“Our aim is to help all our pupils to fulfil their potential, their ability and aptitudes to the full in each aspect of their development – academic, physical, personal, emotional and social.”

At Kirkintilloch High School, we offer a full and challenging curriculum for all pupils, taking into account their individual interests, skills, attainment and needs.

Our curriculum is designed to ensure our pupils see clear progression paths in their studies and that the transition from the broad general education (BGE) to the senior phase is a natural one. 

3 Kirkintilloch High School pupils, who are SCQF School Ambassadors, sit at a desk, promoting the SCQF, which shows where the awards, including NPAs, sit
SCQF experts: The SCQF School Ambassador team at Kirkintilloch High School

The first steps on Kirkintilloch High School’s SCQF journey

Kirkintilloch High School’s SCQF Ambassador journey started when we received initial Ambassador training from SCQF Lead, Donnie Wood, in February 2022.

We worked hard to meet the relevant criteria over a six-month period and achieved Bronze status in September 2022.

Our main goal at that point was to broaden out our senior phase curriculum to better meet the needs and wants of our learners and to provide more appropriate learner pathways.

As a school, we have set up an SCQF Working Group which comes together on inset days to feedback on progress and discuss possible new pathways available to our young people.

This collaborative approach has altered staff mindsets and opened our eyes to a variety of learning programmes that inspire and engage our pupils.

Each curricular area has developed pathways documents which are displayed in classrooms to help pupils understand the routes through different subject areas into further study and careers.

Our SCQF Ambassadors

Our SCQF Ambassadors present to BGE year groups through interactive workshops as part of our options choice carousel and careers events.

In the future, the Ambassadors would like to deliver lessons to the BGE where they can promote the SCQF and share their own learner journeys, helping to inspire and involve younger pupils at Kirkintilloch High School.

Some learners have also recorded their own learner journeys as a video which can be viewed in class or played at options evenings.

We also want our pupils to input to subject choice and encourage a range of different qualification types. This includes those that are not final-exam dependent, such as SCQF level 6 National Progression Awards (NPAs) and Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs), moving away from the traditional focus on Highers.

Retaining our senior phase pupils thanks to the SCQF

It is a bugbear of mine, however, that in terms of university entry requirements and attainment recorded on Insight (the benchmarking tool for analysing attainment data in the senior phase), and despite the fact that NPAs and FAs are also at SCQF level 6, Highers are still viewed as the “gold standard”.

Indeed, we have found that, by offering a wider range of qualification types and subject choices, our pupils who might have left school after S4 are staying on to S5 or S6.

We get to “keep” them for longer to develop their skills, confidence and knowledge to take them towards the next stage of their learning and career journey.

Kirkintilloch High School's Senior Phase Psychology pathway featuring SCQF levels 4, 5 and 6.
SCQF in practice: Kirkintilloch High School’s Senior Phase Psychology pathway

Kirkintilloch High School’s curriculum is not restricted to what we can offer in the school itself. We recognise that to provide our young people with rich learning experiences appropriate to their needs, working closely with partners is paramount.

Personalisation and choice for young people is supported by working closely with our college and business partners.

We provide strong, purposeful courses that complement our pupils’ subject choices and will prove beneficial in their progression from school into higher education, further education or employment.

Partnerships supporting our senior phase

Kirkintilloch High School’s senior phase is supported by our partnership working with:

  • Tigers Training Ltd – FA level 4 in Construction, FA level 6 in Social Services, Children & Young People and FA level 6 in Business Skills
  • City of Glasgow College – NPA level 4 Bakery/Level 5 Cabin Crew
  • New College Lanarkshire – NPA level 4 City & Guilds Hair & Beauty Awards/SfW levels 4/5 Hairdressing
  • Glasgow Kelvin College
  • City of Glasgow College
  • Glasgow Clyde College
  • Speakers for Schools, Automotive, Mechanical Engineering, level 4 Emergency Services
  • DYW East Dunbartonshire – various work experience opportunities
  • Glasgow University Top Up programme

We also offer a range of other alternative qualifications, including:

  • Personal Development, level 6 First Aid training
  • Leadership awards at level 6
  • NPA levels 5 and 6 Psychology
  • NPA Criminology
  • NPA Exercise & Fitness Leadership
  • NPA Acting & Performance
  • NPA Photography
  • Skills for Work Travel & Tourism
  • SfW Sports & Recreation
  • SfW Energy
  • SfW Health Sector, level 6 Literature/Communication
  • Level 4 Mental Health and Wellbeing award

We hope to introduce more NPAs such as Level 3 and 4 Climate Change & Sustainability and Professional Theatre Practice next session.

Promoting the SCQF at Kirkintilloch High School

Kirkintilloch High School values parental partnerships and our SCQF Ambassadors attend parents’ nights and careers and subject choice events to inform parents/carers about the opportunities being offered to their young people.

We have developed a Thinglink which is on our website and has been shared with parents/carers. It explains the SCQF and includes senior pupils’ learner journeys, links to SCQF-produced videos and an in-house narrated presentation comparing old v new qualifications, using the Old V New leaflet created by the SCQF.

Technology: Kirkintilloch High School’s Thinglink, which explains the SCQF and features senior phase learning journeys

Next steps in Kirkintilloch High School’s SCQF journey

We achieved our Silver SCQF Ambassador status in June 2024 and are working towards Gold.

Inspired by Kirkintilloch High School’s journey? Get involved in our School Ambassador Programme today.

Read other schools’ journeys to silver – Currie Community High School; Community School of Auchterarder; Marr College; Lochend Community High School.

Visit Kirkintilloch High School’s website.

View a host of School Ambassador resources and applications on our padlet.

We welcomed educators from across Scotland to our online School College Ambassador Event 2024, with guest speakers from Glasgow Clyde College and St Paul’s RC High School.

Watch the recording below to explore how schools and colleges are successfully working together to create learning pathways for pupils that are bespoke to their interests and needs.

Find out more about our School Ambassador Programme.

We have a range of School Ambassador Programme resources on our padlet.

Global student mobility is a powerful force for positive change.

It fosters cross-cultural understanding, promotes innovation, strengthens international cooperation and boosts economic growth.

Alistair Bell Wylie, of Bell Wylie Consulting and Credential Evaluation, has teamed up with Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute to offer a qualification comparison service
Alistair Bell Wylie, of Bell Wylie Consulting

Scottish education benefits greatly from a wealth of talented individuals choosing to study here, contributing £4.75 billion to Scotland’s economy.

International students are often seen to be more entrepreneurially minded. For example, 32 of Scottish Enterprise’s 37 high-growth spin-outs were funded by internationally-born individuals.

International students in Scotland

However, it can sometimes be challenging for prospective international students to understand the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), and for Scottish universities and colleges to relate the full range of international qualifications that individuals bring to Scotland to the appropriate SCQF level.

To address this, the SCQF Partnership is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI) and Bell-Wylie Consulting (BWC), a Scottish-based education consultancy.

Headshot of Jasmin Saidi-Kuehnert, who has teamed up with Bell Wylie Consulting to offer a qualification comparison service
Jasmin Saidi-Kuehnert, President and CEO of Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute

Compare qualifications

ACEI, a US-based organisation, and BWC are working in partnership to deliver a unique service in credential evaluation for prospective international applicants and stakeholders in Scotland. By combining their expertise and working within the SCQF principles, they are providing a key service in the field of educational comparability, which offers a dual educational comparability report that includes an advisory SCQF level and comprehensive advice on the US educational equivalence.

The SCQF Partnership welcomes any opportunity for individuals in Scotland to better understand their SCQF level, and for institutions to quickly compare international qualifications to the SCQF. We will be supporting ACEI and BWC with resources and training to allow them to continue to reference the SCQF and explain the framework to individuals and institutions.

If you’d like to know more about how your international qualifications compare, please explore our Qualifications Can Cross Boundaries leaflet.