News From North East March 2008
Inside this issue...
Click on to your chosen topic from here
- Changes to the Cambridge University Application Process for 2009 Entry
- Pupil Statistics
- SQA Exam Timetables
- Working with Hard-to-Reach Young People
- SQA Attainment and School Leaver Qualifications in Scotland: 2006/07
- Scottish Government Website
- Froth and Bubble
- Contributions
Changes to the Cambridge University Application Process for 2009 Entry UK
Extract from Cambridge University website…
"Previously applicants have had to submit both a UCAS application and a Cambridge Application Form (CAF) by the 15 October, followed by a Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ).
From 2009 entry onwards, if you are a UK or EU applicant, you will only need to submit a UCAS application naming Cambridge as one of your choices. After your UCAS application has been received you will be asked to provide additional information through a Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ), in common with applicants to many other universities.
The associated £10 fee for UK and EU applicants will also be discontinued."
More information on the University of Cambridge website.
Pupil Statistics
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland contains information on pupils in publicly funded schools in Scotland, mainly derived from the latest annual pupil census which took place in September 2007.
SQA Exam Timetable
The 2008 NQ Examination Timetable is available to view online. The PDF file lists the examinations both by date and course order.
Working with Hard-to-Reach Young People
This Working with Hard-to-Reach Young People document provides practical guidelines for professionals who seek to improve their engagement with hard to reach young people.
SQA Attainment and School Leaver Qualifications in Scotland: 2006/07
Information on the attainment of National Qualifications by pupils attending publicly funded secondary schools.
Extract from Scottish Government Statistics publication.
"Some of the main findings include:
Attainment:
- Cumulative attainment has remained stable in recent years. Attainment is greater for females than males in all stages and in all categories.
- Of the pupils in S4 in 2004/05, 34 per cent had gained 5 or more awards at SCQF level 5 or better by the end of that year. This had increased to 47 per cent by the end of 2006/07. (Table 5)
- The findings for S4 pupils in 2006/07 were as follows:
- Pupils registered for free school meals scored less on average than those who were not. Similarly, pupils who live in the 15% most deprived data zones had lower average tariff scores than those in the other 85% of data zones.
- Pupils attending schools in rural areas had higher average tariff scores than pupils attending urban schools.
- Data on looked after children is incomplete and may not be representative of all looked after children. However, the information available suggests that looked after children have much lower average tariff scores than those not looked after. Furthermore looked after children without additional support needs ( ASN) have a lower average tariff score than pupils who are not looked after but do have ASN.
- Chinese, Mixed Race and Indian pupils in S4 attained the highest average tariff scores over the last three years. (Table 8)
- There has been a slight increase in the number of qualifications gained in special schools, due to an increase at SCQF level 2, as well as a slight increase in the proportion of passes, between 2005/06 and 2006/07
Scottish Government Website
| Date | Section | Publication |
|---|---|---|
| 14/03/2008 | Education and Skills |
Insight 40: Evaluation of Skills for Work Pilot Courses [Research Publications] |
| 14/03/2008 | Education and Skills |
Growing Up in Scotland Study: Use of Informal Support By Families With Young Children [Report] |
| 14/03/2008 | Education and Skills |
Growing Up In Scotland Study: Growing Up In Rural Scotland [Research Publications] |
| 18/03/2008 | Education and Skills |
Statistics Publication Notice: Lifelong Learning Series: Students in Higher Education at Scottish Institutions 2006-07 [Publication] |
| 26/03/2008 | Education and Skills |
Education and Training Research Findings No. 5/2008: Individual Learning Accounts Scotland (ILA Scotland) - Learners Study [Research Findings] |
Froth and Bubble
Some withering wit…
"He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know."
- Abraham Lincoln
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it."
- Mark Twain
"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up."
- Paul Keating
Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."
- Oscar Wilde
Contributions
If you would like to contribute an item to the newsletter we would be delighted to hear from you. Contributions can be emailed to info.ne@careers-scotland.org.uk or faxed to 01592 623199


