Research on the Consultation on the Next Generation of National Qualifications in Scotland

APPENDIX 1: SUMMARY OF RESPONSES TO EACH CONSULTATION QUESTION

Q1: Do you welcome the intention to update all qualifications at Access, Higher and Advanced Higher in line with Curriculum for Excellence?

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Yes, no comments	303	17	198	17	3	3	4	1	1	0	2	74
Yes with reasons	304	17	203	8	7	6	13	7	6	1	3	50
Yes but with caveats	765	42	571	24	22	12	5	23	1	7	5	95
No, no comments	24	1	19	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4
No with reasons	317	18	258	7	1	0	1	0	0	1	0	49
No but with caveats	10	1	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Unclear	16	1	13	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2
No response to question	38	2	20	7	0	1	2	0	1	1	1	5
No response to question but other comments	30	2	24	1	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	2
Total	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282
Overall yes %		76
Overall no %		20

Q2: Early consultation has identified the best features of Standard Grade and Intermediate qualifications as: a) the inclusive approach to certification contained in Standard Grade b) the unit-based structure of Intermediate qualifications. Are there any other features in the present Standard Grade and Intermediate qualifications which should be included in the new qualification at SCQF levels 4 and 5?

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Response	1031	57	824	23	14	14	7	23	2	5	5	116
Unclear	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
No response to question	409	22	251	30	6	4	9	1	3	3	3	98
No response to question but other comments	365	19	237	13	13	7	9	7	4	3	3	68
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282

Q3: One of the proposals is to grade units. Do you agree that units should be graded A - C rather than pass/fail?

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Yes, no comments	163	9	110	10	0	1	2	1	0	0	0	39
Yes with reasons	587	32	426	21	6	8	10	10	6	2	4	94
Yes but with caveats	187	10	142	14	1	5	3	5	1	1	1	14
No, no comments	105	6	85	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	18
No with reasons	644	36	476	13	23	6	7	14	0	6	1	98
No but with caveats	19	1	17	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Unclear	16	1	14	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
No response to question	63	3	26	8	1	3	3	0	1	2	4	15
No response to question but other comments	23	1	18	0	0	1	0	1	1	0	0	2
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282
Overall yes %		51
Overall no %		43

Q4: Do you want graded units to count towards the final award?

Response type
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
Yes, no comments	169	9	105	12	1	3	4	1	2	1	1	39
Yes with reasons	374	21	257	16	2	4	5	6	5	1	5	73
Yes but with caveats	178	10	128	8	3	5	4	5	0	1	0	24
No, no comments	275	15	222	7	7	2	1	5	0	3	0	28
No with reasons	579	32	463	11	8	6	2	11	1	2	0	75
No but with caveats	64	4	43	3	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	8
Unclear	22	1	18	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2
No response to question	79	4	38	8	1	3	6	0	1	2	4	16
No response to question but other comments	24	1	19	0	0	1	0	2	0	1	0	1
N/A	43	2	21	0	1	1	3	1	0	0	0	16
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282
Overall yes %		40
Overall no %		51

Q5: Which option for introducing compensatory arrangements would you most support? (A) Extend the range of grading in course awards to grade E. (B) Recognise unit passes only. (C) Compensatory award at the level of the course studied with no grade awarded. (D) Compensatory grade C award at the level of course below that studied. (E) Compensatory grade A award at the level of course below that studied.

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Option A	118	7	85	7	1	0	1	1	0	1	0	22
Option A with reasons	120	7	78	5	1	3	5	0	1	0	0	27
Option A with caveats	16	1	11	1	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	1
Option B	372	21	287	9	6	6	3	4	2	0	2	53
Option B with reasons	435	24	321	14	17	4	3	9	1	2	3	61
Option B with caveats	38	2	30	1	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	4
Option C	88	5	54	6	1	0	0	1	2	0	0	24
Option C with reasons	62	3	48	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	12
Option C with caveats	14	1	12	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1
Option D	84	5	67	2	0	0	2	1	1	0	0	11
Option D with reasons	51	3	42	0	0	1	2	1	0	0	0	5
Option D with caveats	38	2	33	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	4
Option E	42	2	32	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	7
Option E with reasons	33	2	27	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	3
Option E with caveats	19	1	13	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5
None of the above	87	5	65	1	4	2	0	4	0	2	0	9
None of the above with reasons/comments	11	1	7	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	2
Unclear	17	1	12	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	1	2
No response to question	100	6	47	10	1	6	6	0	1	3	5	21
No response to question but other comments	62	3	43	4	1	1	2	3	0	0	0	8
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282
Overall Option A %		15
Overall Option B %		47
Overall Option C %		9
Overall Option D %		10
Overall Option E %		5

Q6: The proposed name for the new award is General ( SCQF 4) and Advanced General ( SCQF 5). Please indicate if you are content with this suggestion. If not please offer an alternative and explain your choice.

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	Las	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Yes to both names	371	21	241	24	4	5	11	3	3	1	1	78
Yes to General only	12	1	8	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	2
Yes to General only with reasons	71	4	59	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	9
No to both	268	15	209	5	4	2	3	3	2	2	1	37
No to both with reasons	940	52	712	21	24	12	5	24	2	5	4	131
Unclear	11	1	8	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
No response to question	112	6	61	10	1	5	5	0	1	2	4	23
No response to question but other comments	16	1	13	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Don't mind	6	0	3	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282
Overall yes %		21
Overall no %		71

Q7: Do you agree with the proposal to offer Literacy and Numeracy awards at a range of SCQF levels (3 to 5)? If not please offer an alternative.

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Yes to both	529	29	393	21	5	5	3	3	1	1	3	94
Yes to both with reasons	190	11	121	5	17	3	6	7	4	0	1	26
Yes to both but with caveats	387	21	281	11	6	6	8	11	3	3	4	54
Yes to both with reasons and caveats	3	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Yes to Literacy only with reasons	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Yes to Numeracy only with reasons	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Yes to Numeracy only but with caveats	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
No to both	67	4	56	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8
No to both with reasons	458	25	331	13	4	10	4	6	1	5	0	84
No to both but with caveats	23	1	15	3	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	3
Unclear	27	1	24	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
No response to question	53	3	27	9	1	1	3	2	0	1	2	7
No response to question but other comments	66	4	59	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	0	4
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282
Overall yes %		61
Overall no %		30

Q8: National Qualifications at Access 3 ( SCQF level 3) do not have an external exam. Do you agree that any new awards in literacy and numeracy at SCQF level 3 should have an external examination?

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Yes to both exams	262	15	195	16	0	1	3	0	0	0	0	47
Yes to both exams with reasons	541	30	413	16	4	3	4	5	5	0	3	88
Yes to both exams but with caveats	68	4	51	1	1	2	1	1	1	2	0	8
Yes to both with reasons and caveats	4	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
No to both exams	225	12	173	2	4	1	0	2	0	0	1	42
No to both exams with reasons	486	27	340	18	18	11	11	18	3	2	3	62
No to both exams but with caveats	47	3	30	2	5	0	0	3	0	0	0	7
Unclear	28	2	24	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3
No response to question	87	5	45	9	1	4	4	1	0	4	4	15
No response to question but other comments	27	1	24	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1
Not applicable	32	2	17	1	0	3	2	0	0	2	0	7
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282
Overall yes %		49
Overall no %		42

Q9: Should the weighting between the internal and external assessments for the Literacy and Numeracy awards be equal? If not should more weight be attached to the internal or external assessment? Please explain. (A) Equal weight (B) More weight to internal assessment (C) More weight to external assessment

Response type
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
Option A	175	10	120	6	1	1	5	3	2	0	0	37
Option A with reasons	136	7	103	5	1	0	1	7	0	0	2	17
Option A with caveats	22	1	15	2	0	0	1	1	2	0	0	1
Option B	86	5	55	4	5	1	0	0	0	0	2	19
Option B with reasons	101	6	51	6	14	4	2	1	0	0	2	21
Option B with caveats	46	3	25	1	7	3	3	1	1	1	0	4
Option B with reasons and caveats	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
Option C	247	14	205	5	0	1	0	1	1	0	0	34
Option C with reasons	538	30	435	10	2	5	2	3	0	1	0	80
Option C with caveats	81	5	68	2	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	9
Option C with reasons and caveats	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
None of the above	27	1	24	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
None of the above with reasons/comments	19	1	9	2	0	0	1	2	1	0	0	4
Unclear	17	1	10	0	0	0	0	3	1	1	1	1
No response to question	166	9	92	18	1	7	6	5	0	6	4	27
No response to question but other comments	74	4	54	3	1	1	2	3	0	0	0	10
Not applicable	69	4	46	1	0	2	1	0	0	2	0	17
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282
Overall Option A %		18
Overall Option B %		14
Overall Option C %		49

Q10: When should young people be assessed for Literacy and Numeracy awards? (A) At the end of S3 as part of the summer diet of examinations. (B) In the December of S4 as part of a winter diet of examinations. (C) At the end of S4 as part of the summer diet of examinations

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Option A	281	15	217	11	4	1	3	1	0	0	0	44
Option A with reasons	501	28	365	17	2	7	4	12	4	2	5	83
Option A with caveats	112	6	83	7	4	0	1	4	1	1	1	10
Option B	21	1	16	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5
Option B with reasons	37	2	25	1	0	0	2	0	1	0	0	8
Option B with caveats	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Option C	146	8	108	1	0	1	0	1	2	0	0	33
Option C with reasons	182	10	155	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	23
Option C with caveats	38	2	26	4	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	5
None of the above	151	8	104	2	8	4	5	6	1	0	1	20
None of the above with reasons/comments	12	1	9	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2
Unclear	12	1	7	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	2
No response to question	138	8	78	14	1	5	6	3	0	4	4	23
No response to question but other comments	118	7	81	5	10	2	3	2	0	1	0	14
Not applicable	55	3	39	1	0	2	1	0	0	3	0	9
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282
Overall Option A %		49
Overall Option B %		3
Overall Option C %		20

Q11: Do you agree with the proposal to allow the study of Highers and Advanced Highers over 12 months, 18 months and 2 years?

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Yes to both	176	10	107	11	2	3	3	0	1	0	1	47
Yes to both with reasons	304	17	186	8	17	4	15	8	4	0	5	57
Yes to both but with caveats	284	16	205	11	10	7	2	7	3	2	0	37
Yes to 18 months	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Yes to 18 months with reasons	6	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3
Yes to 18 months but with caveats	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Yes to 2 years	59	3	53	2	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	1
Yes to 2 years with reasons	158	9	123	4	1	2	0	4	0	1	1	22
Yes to 2 years but with caveats	71	4	61	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	5
No to 18 months and 2 years	57	3	47	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	8
No to 18 months and 2 years with reasons	579	32	463	16	1	4	2	7	1	3	0	83
No to 18 months and 2 years but with caveats	15	1	10	2	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	1
Unclear	18	1	13	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	3
No response to question	51	3	22	7	2	3	3	0	0	2	2	10
No response to question but other comments	27	1	20	1	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	4
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282
Overall yes %		43
Overall no %		36

Q12: Do you agree with the proposal to introduce a winter diet of examinations?

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Yes, no comments	169	9	104	12	7	2	7	2	2	0	0	33
Yes with reasons	146	8	88	4	8	3	7	1	2	0	2	31
Yes but with caveats	133	7	75	8	10	5	3	6	2	1	0	23
No, no comments	489	27	416	9	1	1	1	4	2	1	2	52
No with reasons	732	40	554	25	6	6	3	12	1	6	1	118
No but with caveats	29	2	17	2	0	0	0	5	0	1	0	4
No with reasons and caveats	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Unclear	15	1	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6
No response to question	77	4	38	5	1	6	4	0	0	2	6	15
No response to question but other comments	15	1	11	1	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	0
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282
Overall yes %		24
Overall no %		69

Q13: If you agree with the proposal to introduce a winter diet of examinations, what subjects and levels of qualifications might first be offered?

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Response	391	22	257	14	15	11	6	9	5	2	3	69
Unclear	4	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
No response to question	493	27	360	20	7	8	9	2	0	3	6	78
No response to question but other comments	57	3	36	3	3	0	1	3	1	0	0	10
Not applicable	862	48	659	29	8	6	9	17	3	6	2	123
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282

Q14: Would you agree with changes to the system which allowed the most able students to bypass qualifications at lower levels and begin study for Highers from S4 onwards?

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Yes, no comments	220	12	149	11	1	3	4	1	3	0	1	47
Yes with reasons	246	14	179	5	1	3	6	8	2	0	1	41
Yes but with caveats	464	26	334	20	17	9	4	15	4	3	4	54
Yes but with reasons and caveats	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
No, no comments	84	5	56	4	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	20
No with reasons	672	37	526	17	9	5	7	3	0	4	1	100
No but with caveats	19	1	12	1	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	3
Unclear	10	1	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2
No response to question	66	4	34	7	2	2	3	2	0	2	4	10
No response to question but other comments	25	1	18	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	5
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282
Overall yes %		52
Overall no %		43

Q15: Do you have any other ideas for increasing flexibility within the senior phase (S4 - S6)?

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Response	819	45	602	23	25	14	10	28	4	6	5	102
Unclear	4	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
No response to question	871	48	621	37	7	8	15	2	4	4	5	168
No response to question but other comments	113	6	87	6	1	3	0	1	1	1	1	12
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282

Q16: It is intended that planning for the new curriculum should commence in 2008/09, with approaches based on the new curriculum introduced from school year 2009/10. This suggests that the new and revised qualifications and any increased flexibilities would be required from 2012/13 onwards to ensure smooth progression between the curriculum and qualifications. Is this indicative timeline realistic? Please comment on any implications to be considered.

	(N)	(%)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)	(N)
	Total	Total	Sub-group analysis
			Sec. schools	Parents	Colleges	Univs	Employers/ Business Reps	LAs	Prim. Schools	Teachers' Assocs	Young People's Reps	Others
	Freq		Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq	Freq
Response type
Yes, no comments	126	7	77	2	6	4	2	0	1	0	0	35
Yes with reasons	21	1	8	2	0	0	0	2	3	0	1	4
Yes but with caveats	130	7	76	4	18	2	4	3	1	1	2	19
No, no comments	122	7	92	4	1	2	1	1	1	0	1	19
No with reasons	1281	71	995	40	7	11	11	25	3	9	2	178
No but with caveats	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Unclear	14	1	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4
No response to question	95	5	46	12	1	5	6	0	0	1	3	21
No response to question but other comments	16	1	10	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	2
Total number of cases	1807		1314	66	33	25	25	31	9	11	11	282
Overall yes %		15
Overall no %		78

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The Scottish Government

Research

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Research on the Consultation on the Next Generation of National Qualifications in Scotland

APPENDIX 1: SUMMARY OF RESPONSES TO EACH CONSULTATION QUESTION