An SNP MSP has called on the Scottish Government to intervene over the SQA’s handling of Higher History marking, The Herald can reveal.

Fergus Ewing MSP has written to the exam board’s chief executive, Fiona Robertson, raising concerns about the organisation’s decision to launch an “internal investigation” rather than commission a review by someone “entirely independent”.

In August, The Herald revealed that teachers, including current exam marks, had accused the SQA of ‘moving the goalposts’ and subjecting students to an ‘unfair’ marking process for this year’s Higher History exam.

They explained that more detailed answers had been demanded than has previously been the case, and that no warning of the change had been provided. As a result, the SQA was accused of “moving the goalposts” after the exam had taken place.

Critics argued that this altered approach was behind a 25% drop in pupils’ performance levels in the Scottish History part of the exam, and a thirteen percentage point decline in the overall pass rate.

The SQA had insisted that marking has been “consistent with previous years”, and that the sudden falls in test scores and pass rates was simply down to poorer performance from students. Education secretary Jenny Gilruth initially refused to intervene, but ultimately bowed to pressure and demanded a meeting with SQA leaders.

However, during this meeting, the SQA confirmed that it had u-turned and that an investigation had been launched. No public announcement of this decision had been made.

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In his letter to the SQA, Mr Ewing highlights The Herald’s reporting of problems with the marking of Higher history. He notes that organisation “initially denied any problems” only to later open an investigation, but then points out that “this inquiry is being conducted internally by the SQA.”

Mr Ewing goes on to argue that “the notion of ‘marking one’s own homework’ is not conducive to an impartial investigation”.

He has asked the SQA to “provide a detailed explanation of the events in question, outline the response to the criticisms raised, and clarify whether the SQA would consider replacing the current internal inquiry with an independent one.”

Speaking exclusively to The Herald, the veteran MSP said:

“Given the serious allegations, revealed by The Herald, and the need for accuracy and fairness and reliability of the award of grades for pupils taking exams, it is utterly wrong that SQA are having an internal investigation into such serious criticisms.

“This investigation should be carried out by someone  who is entirely independent of the SQA and indeed the Scottish Government. No one can or should “mark their own homework.” It breaches the first principles of natural justice that : “No one can be a judge in their own cause.” If any public body  should know that - it is surely the SQA! Thus, their abject failure to answer this simple point, which I put to them in correspondence, means that I award them an ‘F’ for Fail.   

“If they are determined to continue with this inherently and fatally flawed process, I will  then urge the Cabinet secretary for Education to overrule them. She has the power to do so. In law she has a power to regulate their procedure, and thus to order that this matter be investigated anew and entirely independently of the SQA or indeed the Scottish Government.”

In response, both the SQA and the Scottish Government repeated earlier comments provided to The Herald.

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A spokesperson for the SQA said:

“The review of Higher History is ongoing and is being carried out independently by the SQA's Head of Standards. This is a substantial piece of work. While we recognise the importance of concluding the review as soon as possible, we also owe it to learners to ensure the review is robust and rigorous.

"The findings will be subjected to independent external review and the final report will be published.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said:

“This is an operational matter for the SQA. The Cabinet Secretary met with the Chief Examiner and Chair of the SQA on 7 October and has asked to be updated on the outcome of the review as soon as possible.

“SQA has confirmed that the findings of the internal review by SQA’s Head of Standards will be subjected to independent external review, and the final report will be published. It is essential that the time is taken to complete this work thoroughly to ensure the credibility of our qualifications

“The creation of Qualifications Scotland, alongside other reforms, will bring about real change and help strengthen the national education landscape.”