People across Ayrshire are being encouraged to share their views on how qualifications and assessment should be reformed to ensure learners’ achievements are fairly recognised.

A public consultation - the results of which will be used to help inform an independent review of Scotland's exams system - is open until December 16.

It invites opinions on the balance between exams and other forms of assessment; how a wider range of learners’ achievements can be recognised; potential uses of technology in assessment and qualifications; how to ensure that qualifications enable all learners, regardless of their circumstances, to demonstrate their strengths and achievements.

Professor Louise Hayward, who is leading the independent review, said: "This review offers Scotland an opportunity to look to the future.

“We want to ensure that the ways in which we gather evidence about all learners' achievements, awards and qualifications help every learner to transition positively into the next phase of life, be that in college, employment, university or voluntary work.

“By supporting every learner to become a confident, committed life-long learner, we will help Scotland to grow socially, culturally and economically."

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "I would encourage anyone in Ayrshire with an interest in qualifications and assessment, particularly young people, parents, carers and education staff, to share their views through this consultation.

“We want all learners to have the best possible opportunity to demonstrate the breadth, depth and relevance of their learning.

“This independent review, and our other planned education reforms, have the clear purpose of doing all we can to improve the experiences and outcomes of children and young people in Scotland’s education system.”

Prof Hayward is Emerita Professor of Educational Assessment and Innovation at Glasgow University and will provide independent advice for Ministers to consider in March next year.

The consultation on qualifications and assessment will run until 16 December.

The Independent review of Qualifications and Assessment is being led by Professor Hayward supported by an Independent Review Group (IRG) that includes learners, parents and carers, education staff and college and university representatives.

It will culminate in independent advice being submitted to Ministers in March 2023 on how to ensure that all senior phase learners have an enhanced and equal opportunity to demonstrate the width, depth and relevance of their learning, with an acknowledgement that externally assessed examinations will remain part of any new system.

The review will also be informed by the findings of the National Discussion on Education which is being co-convened by the Scottish Government and COSLA, and which runs until 5 December.

You can have your say in the consultation by clicking here.