Last year’s independent review of qualifications and assessment, aptly entitled It’s Our Future, but often referred to as “the Hayward Review”, highlighted the need to take a more holistic approach to assessing learners’ achievements.
Subsequently, demand remains high among both young people and teachers for a more diverse system - one that values not only traditional exams but other robust measures of attainment, too, celebrating a broader range of accomplishments across a wider range of activities.
With all this in mind, our Futures Institute at Dollar Academy (FIDA) has launched a new qualification, the International Sustainability Diploma, which is being piloted in six schools in 2024-25, from Inverness and Speyside through to the Central Belt.
‘Exploring compelling alternatives to traditional exams’
One of these schools, Inverness Royal Academy, has described the qualification as “possibly one of the most important courses we could offer our pupils”. The diploma is - in part - a manifestation of our commitment to exploring compelling alternatives to traditional exams.
We are also committed to creating more equitable access to sector-leading educational opportunities - thereby helping to close the poverty-related attainment gap - as well as providing young people the opportunity to wrestle with the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainability. A fully charitable initiative, FIDA has been offering free access to high-quality, innovative educational opportunities to students across Scotland for the past three years.
We have an online-learning platform offering a range of contemporary courses and projects that involve tackling challenges of sustainability. This is being accessed by over 50 local authority schools, enabling thousands of young people to participate.
Our latest offering, the diploma, has been credit-rated at SCQF level 6, which is the equivalent of a Scottish Higher. It carries UCAS points and international recognition, enabling participants’ progression to higher and further education, and to wider opportunities.
The diploma comprises three distinct units. The first builds an understanding of sustainability using the framework of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, while also introducing “design thinking” - a problem-solving methodology that involves a hands-on, action-based approach to translating ideas and solutions into reality.
Designing solutions to real-world problems
In unit two, students select three “global challenge” projects, each of which involves designing a solution to a real-world problem and has been developed with an industry or academic partner.
Examples include designing a new wave-powered method for water desalination, an app to support people experiencing climate anxiety, or a monument to make a statement about modern slavery. In each case, students research the issue and the needs of their target audience or users, generate ideas and, through a process of testing and feedback, develop and refine their solution.
The final unit sees students choose their top ideas to develop into sustainable enterprise or business proposals, with expert oversight and guidance provided by the University of Stirling’s enterprise programme.
Portfolios favoured over end-of-course exams
No assessment tail wagging the dog here: the diploma was intentionally designed to focus on learning, with assessment then being tailored around this central premise. Instead of exams, students build a portfolio of work and have opportunities to present this throughout the course.
All of FIDA’s content, both in person and online, is provided free of charge; the diploma is no different. Schools offering the qualification receive a comprehensive range of learning resources and supporting materials to enable them to run the course and assessments. Sessions with Dollar Academy staff, the University of Stirling and external experts are offered at key points in the year, with in-person and virtual routes available to ensure there are no barriers to participation.
We must never be complacent when it comes to our young people’s futures. Today’s students are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities - which require novel and positive solutions.
Our hope is that FIDA’s International Sustainability Diploma will help blaze a new trail for the reimagining of the curriculum, bringing it firmly in line with the realities of our time.
Ian Munro is rector (headteacher) at Dollar Academy, an independent school in central Scotland for pupils aged 5-18
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
