Without you we wouldn't make the grade

SQA's Appointee team is an important and highly valued part of the education and training system in Scotland. About 15,000 teaching professionals and specialists support SQA operations annually. This includes Examiners, Markers, Setters, Verifiers and Vetters.

Being an appointee offers several benefits and development opportunities:

  • professional development - appointees are at the heart of our operation and gain an insight into assessment and quality assurance techniques that will underpin professional and career development
  • improved skills - the skills and knowledge you will gain will help support your students in their learning and development
  • confidence - you will be in a position to help colleagues implement and understand SQA processes and procedures
  • satisfaction - working as part of a team delivering high quality assessments and standards, and of taking your knowledge back to the school to improve your students' results
  • rewards - you will be paid for undertaking appointee duties.

Mairi Macleod, teacher at Islay High School and SQA marker and Senior Examiner, said of her experience: "Since becoming an SQA appointee, I have increased my knowledge and understanding of the use of marking schemes, effective question design, and the processes involved within SQA's examination system. Learning from other, more experienced, professionals within the subject/team and seeing the wider picture is a huge benefit.

"Having a voice and being able to participate in and direct the development of my subject is very rewarding. The professional dialogue with other subject teachers is very valuable.

"It allowed me to have a more positive impact on the teaching and learning in my class and on maintaining motivation and has also helped increase my confidence.

"The work can be challenging and time consuming, and you must be personally committed to it. However, the insights you gain directly benefit pupils and colleagues in the school. Your perspective is widened and it helps clarify your understanding of SQA procedures."

We are recruiting now for Markers and other appointees for the 2011 diet with opportunities across all subjects and levels.

If you have three years presentation experience and are currently teaching the subject at the level you'd like to mark, apply now!

ISSUE 36
August 2010