Dad hits out after learning SQA exams to be held during May holiday

Andrew Mason was alarmed after finding out that his daughter, Sheignneth, who is a senior pupil at Clydebank High School, is timetabled to sit the National 5 Art and Design exam on Friday, May 26 – the start of the May Weekend.

Andrew Mason and his daughter Sheignneth (Image: Colin Mearns)

The Clydebank resident explained that his family typically goes on holiday during this period as the schools are shut. As such, he booked a trip to Bristol back in January.

Mr Mason claimed that his daughter only received a copy of her personal exam timetable less than a month ago, however, a spokesperson for the SQA [Scottish Qualifications Authority] stated the national exam timetable has been available online since August 2022.

Sheignneth is due to sit an exam during the local authority's mid-term holiday (Image: Colin Mearns)

While West Dunbartonshire Council's mid-term holiday falls on these dates it is understood that there are some schools across Scotland's 32 local authorities that remain open during this time.

Andrew said: “My daughter had her exam timetable sent to her email about three weeks ago.

"I pulled up the SQA’s website and it says it was published in 2022 but it doesn’t seem like they’ve informed anyone else of that fact.

“I contacted the school and they said to contact the SQA as they are the ones who booked the times and made the schedule.

“I sent them [the SQA] a general enquiry email and one to the complaints and the emails I got back were both the same so it’s a generic one they send to you.

“It didn’t give us any information, it basically said ‘tough’.

"There are loads of exams during the holiday.

"When I go on to West Dunbartonshire Council’s website it states that Friday (May 26) to Monday (May 29) is the half-term break so we went and booked a holiday and we leave on the Thursday night."

It is understood that various exams are scheduled to take place on Friday, May 26, and Monday, May 29, despite these dates falling on the school’s half-term break as well as a national bank holiday.

What exams are taking place?

Friday, May 26:

• Economics – National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher
• Art and Design – National 5 and Higher

Monday, May 29:

• Psychology – National 5 and Higher
• Drama – National 5 and Higher

The concerned dad said the situation is putting his daughter under a lot of pressure during a time that is already very stressful.

He explained the family has been left with two options.

Andrew added: “It’s really stressful. We either lose money and don’t go away or my daughter has to resit her exam.

“Whichever way it goes, it’s putting a lot of stress on her. The SQA is saying it’s only a local bank holiday but it’s not, the whole of Glasgow has it, most of Scotland does.

“This is her first year of sitting exams and you’re not going to think to look at the schedule in August, are you?

“We always go on trips during the bank holidays with the scout group that we are a part of.

"Now, because my daughter’s getting to the age where she’s sitting exams we’re presuming that the schools will be shut because the council website says it’s a bank holiday.

“It doesn’t say anywhere that this doesn’t include people who are doing exams.

"It’s not just going to affect our family. There are loads of pupils sitting each of these four courses.”

An SQA spokesperson said: “The 2023 exam timetable was first published on the SQA website and across social media channels at the end of August 2022.

“Since then we have regularly promoted the timetable and hints and tips to support learners through exams.

“This included our Your Exams guide, published in March 2023, and made available on our website, social media channels and printed and sent to all schools for every candidate sitting exams.”