“Almost all” the Scottish schools that took part in a 2023 trial giving them access to marked exam scripts had concerns about workload.
However, new research also finds that the schools that took part in the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) trial “advised that this was a welcome learning opportunity”.
The trial was conducted by the SQA before its decision to make scripts available to all schools in five subject areas this year on Tuesday 6 August, which is exam results day.
The results of the initial trial were obtained by Tes Scotland using freedom of information legislation.
The report on the 2023 trial - which involved eight schools and the scripts for the National 5 media exam and both Higher geography papers - states: “Almost all centres had concerns about workload and the time it would take to review scripts to help inform appeals decisions.”
It notes that schools “were concerned that workload issues would increase if the service was to be scaled up to include all subjects/levels”.
Concerns more prevalent in some schools than others
The report adds: “These concerns were more prevalent in some centres than others. One centre noted that with 250 appeals submitted this session, tight turnaround deadlines for appeals makes time for download and [to] review all of the scripts difficult.”
However, one local authority school noted that concerns around workload concerns were “for us to manage, we wouldn’t want workload concerns to impact the availability of this service”.
The schools also highlighted that they would have liked more time to make use of the service. In 2023, it was open from results day to 4 September; this year, it will also open on results day but will remain open until the end of September.
The report states: “Feedback shows that centres would benefit from extended opening periods of the service. Other [awarding bodies] offer this service for a much longer period than we did during our trial. This would assist with the spread of centre workload and give extended access to materials helping inform learning and teaching.”
After the SQA announced in May that all Scottish schools would be getting access to marked exam papers for the first time this year - albeit in a limited number of subjects - some teachers expressed relief that transparency would improve. This had been the norm for some time in England, one pointed out on social media.
‘All for openness’ - but concerns over potential ‘stooshies’
However, others - while “all for openness” - said they were worried about the “stooshies” it would cause and “the workload for staff”.
The EIS teaching union, meanwhile, said it was opposed to the return of marked papers; it was worried that teachers would be asked to “verify SQA marked papers in pursuit of speculative appeals”.
Asked by Tes Scotland how it had addressed the workload concerns raised in the 2023 trial, the SQA said that, following the next phase of the trial, it would “conduct a full evaluation…which will include looking at the impact on teacher workload”.
“We will use the findings to inform and shape future plans,” a spokesperson added.
The 2023 SQA trial initially involved two independent and seven state schools. However, one state school pulled out of the trial, saying it did not have time to participate.
The trial found 16 of a possible 390 students submitted an appeal after gaining access to their scripts, which is 4.1 per cent of those covered in the trial.
In 2023 SQA statistics showed that 7.3 per cent of grades awarded were appealed.
Various benefits from access to marked scripts
However, for the teachers in the trial, having access to marked scripts was not just about informing appeal decisions.
They were most likely to use access to scripts in future to support learning and teaching. After that, the biggest benefits were improving understanding of national standards, continuing professional development (CPD) and providing more information for supporting students’ decision to appeal.
The report states: “Scripts were used by some to support the appeals service but there was a greater recognition that material would be valuable for [CPD] purposes.”
The SQA found that of the 696 marked scripts available, around two-thirds (424) were downloaded. It hoped access to marked papers would provide “greater transparency” and allow students and teachers “to make more informed decisions, including on appeals and next steps in learning and teaching”.
A spokesperson added: “The trial aims to help learners better understand the marking process and where their strengths and areas for improvement are.”
The subjects and levels included in the trial this year are:
- Geography (National 5, Higher)
- Graphic communication (National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher)
- Media (National 5)
- Music (National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher)
- Statistics (Advanced Higher).
For the latest Scottish education news, analysis and features delivered directly to your inbox, sign up to Tes magazine’s The Week in Scotland newsletter
