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Good practice in assessment - Scots Language, SCQF Level 6 – Kirkwall Grammar School
Introduction
This case study looks at the delivery of the Scots Language Award in Kirkwall Grammar School, Orkney. The award was offered as an elective option during the school’s short course time, and was delivered over one year during a double period timetabled on Thursday afternoons.
The candidates who opted to take the award were all in S5, and all were also sitting Higher English. We felt that as the candidates were working at Higher level in English, it would be a good opportunity to put them forward for the Scots Language Award at SCQF level 6, with the option of dropping to level 5 or 4 if necessary. In the event, six candidates took part, and all six achieved the award at level 6.
Why did we choose to deliver the Scots Language Award (SCQF Level 6)
We saw the Scots Language Award as a clear opportunity to deliver breadth in the areas of language, history, and creative writing. The award very much enhances and complements work being done in English, and some candidates were able to work on pieces of writing in Scots that were then submitted as folio pieces for Higher English. Scots is used in the Orkney community, and in the wider school community, so the learning was relevant and personalised.
