Decision report 201004978

Summary
Mr C's daughter was a candidate for the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) Higher physics examination in May 2010.

In early 2010, she obtained a B grade pass in the school’s preliminary physics examination and had targeted the same grade in the final Higher examination.

In the event, Mr C’s daughter attained a C grade pass in the Higher examination, and the school submitted an appeal on behalf of Mr C’s daughter and another student in August 2010. Both appeals were dismissed and the results stood. In returning the appeals, the SQA provided two reasons for their decision, both relating to the validity of the school’s preliminary examination.

Mr C submitted subsequent complaints against the SQA and the council (as education authority).

He complained that the council failed to provide him with a clear explanation of the reasons why the Higher physics preliminary examination in 2010 did not meet the SQA's criteria. In response, the council advised that they considered that the school preliminary examination was adequately moderated and did not accept the SQA’s explanation. The investigation considered that the council were entitled to take that view and the complaint was not upheld.