A few months ago, the SQA published new guidance outlining the steps schools and colleges can take to help make its National Physical Education qualifications more accessible to learners with physical disabilities.
Working with Scottish Disability Sport, SQA has updated the list of activities young people can be assessed in as part of their PE qualifications at National 3 through to Advanced Higher level.
For the 2024-25 school year, learners can have their performance assessed in Paralympic sports such as Boccia, Goalball, and other wheelchair, powerchair, and parasports activities, which can then contribute towards their final grade.
One such pupil who hopes to achieve a Higher with boccia, is Barrhead High School student, Layla McCloskey.
Layla will be writing a blog to share her experience and document this journey.
BLOG: LAYLA MCCLOSKEY
Hello My name is Layla McCloskey, and I go to Barrhead High School just outside Glasgow
I am studying Boccia and Frame running as part of my PE. I am working towards a national 5.
I think it is brilliant that Boccia and Frame Running are part of the curriculum as it gives me and other young people an opportunity to be included in sports. To participate in two sports that I love and will hopefully gain qualifications for my future.
I have been able to introduce a sport to my peers that I am very passionate about. Already another pupil has taken up Boccia as part of their SQA exams and will give other pupils in the
future to take a sport that is so inclusive.
I would hopefully like to coach Boccia in the future and introduce the sport to many other schools.
It’s great to be able to achieve a qualification within my learning environment
For more information about the SQA update, visit here.