A Perth school is widening pathways, building confidence, and championing equity through the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework.
A journey three years in the making
While St John’s RC Academy officially registered as an SCQF Ambassador School in session 2025/26, the school has been championing the Framework for over three years. It has been a genuine grassroots effort, beginning with conversations among Curriculum Leaders and Classroom Practitioners, growing into whole-school discussions and ultimately reaching pupils and parents alike.
The SCQF has been discussed at leadership meetings and staff meetings, and information has been shared with pupils during assemblies. The school’s own enthusiastic SCQF Ambassadors have taken the lead in presenting to their peers and to parents and carers at senior parent nights. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly from parents who came away with a clearer sense of how today’s qualifications compare to what they experienced when they were at school.
Raising awareness in creative ways
St John’s hasn’t relied on a single approach to spreading the word. The school has built up a comprehensive set of channels and resources to keep SCQF front of mind for its whole community.
- Pupil bulletin and Assemblies: Regular updates keeping pupils informed about qualifications and opportunities
- Social media: Videos shared on X (Twitter) to guide pupils through course choices
- School website: Dedicated SCQF sections for both pupils and parents with detailed guidance
- Classroom displays: Posters and resources in classrooms across the school
- Visual learner pathways: Clear curriculum pathway guides for pupils and parents at parent evenings
- Ambassador board: A pupil-created board highlighting the benefits of different awards
Expanding the curriculum
Alongside raising awareness, St John’s has been actively broadening what it offers to pupils. New qualifications have been introduced over recent years, and the school has strengthened relationships with local colleges, partnering schools, businesses and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW). Staff are also using the Awards Network to research further awards that pupils could benefit from, ensuring the range of options continues to grow.
Looking outward: engaging employers
One of the most exciting developments on the horizon is the school’s plan to have its SCQF Ambassadors present directly to local businesses. The aim is to help employers understand the real skills and experiences that young people have developed when completing a National 4, National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher, National Progression Award or Foundation Apprenticeship. The school hopes that building this understanding will benefit pupils as they step into the world of work.
The school is also developing pupil case studies, real-life examples of how different qualification pathways can be used to maximise learning and attainment, which will be shared on the website and social media channels.
Aiming for gold
Currently at Silver level, St John’s is already looking ahead to the next stage of the SCQF Ambassador Programme, with ambitions to achieve Gold Ambassador status. The team believes the tiered programme has provided clear targets and a framework for driving real improvement for pupils.
Lorraine Winwood, principal teacher of Raising Attainment, said: “There are young people across our school community – and nationally – who have achieved both academically and improved their confidence because of the opportunities offered to them through the SCQF.
“We will continue to work to maximise the available opportunities for our pupils to achieve and keep encouraging pupils to engage with varied qualification types – promoting equity for all.”
St John’s RC Academy is proof that championing the SCQF isn’t just about paperwork or policy: it’s about opening doors, building confidence, and making sure that every young person, whatever their path, has the opportunity to achieve.
St John’s RC Academy is an all-through nursery, primary and secondary school in Perth and Kinross. With a catchment covering the whole of Perth & Kinross, the school serves a diverse community and is committed to offering a wide range of qualifications to support every learner.