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Former Member of the Scottish Parliament

Margaret Smith

Unknown party

At a glance Margaret Smith was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

Questions931 tabled

Margaret Smith has tabled 931 questions in the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on whether students in Scotland could be put at a competitive disadv… 7 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on whether students in Scotland could be put at a competitive disadvantage compared with students in England when applying for UK universities if the number of subjects that they can study at S4 is limited.

Answer · Michael Russell · 16 Dec 2010

Universities are generally interested in higher level qualifications. The Scottish Government, Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), UCAS, Supporting Professionalism in Admissions (SPA) and other agencies have undertaken a great deal of work to inform universities in England and Wales about Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers and their comparative tariff ratings. This work will continue as universities continue to consider both their admissions policies and learning at teaching in the light of the changes which Curriculum for Excellence will bring.</p> <p >Curriculum for Excellence is aimed at increasing achievement and attainment, thus enhancing and not limiting progression to higher education whether in Scotland, the wider UK or beyond.</p>

To ask the Scottish Executive how many UCAS points will be attributed to National 5 qualifications and how this will di… 7 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many UCAS points will be attributed to National 5 qualifications and how this will differ from the points attributed to standard grade qualifications.

Answer · Michael Russell · 16 Dec 2010

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38150 on 16 December 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx</a>.</p>

To ask the Scottish Executive how many UCAS points will be attributed to National 4 qualifications and how this will di… 7 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many UCAS points will be attributed to National 4 qualifications and how this will differ from the points attributed to standard grade qualifications.

Answer · Michael Russell · 16 Dec 2010

The UCAS Tariff system does not allocate points to qualifications below Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 6 i.e. Higher qualifications.</p>

To ask the Scottish Executive how many subjects the Curriculum for Excellence Stakeholder Group considers pupils should… 7 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many subjects the Curriculum for Excellence Stakeholder Group considers pupils should expect to be examined for in S4 under the new national qualifications system.

Answer · Michael Russell · 16 Dec 2010

The Curriculum for Excellence Stakeholder Group has not expressed any expectation in relation to the number of subjects it considers should be examined for in S4.</p> <p >The precise number and range of qualifications on offer, as well as when they are taken, will be a decision for schools to take in consultation with learners and parents. Several models developed by schools to illustrate emerging thinking on how the senior phase (S4-S6) could be delivered are available on the Curriculum for Excellence website, including case studies that illustrate how five to eight subjects can be taken. The website address is <a href="http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/">www.ltscotland.org.uk</a>.</p>

To ask the Scottish Executive how many subjects the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board considers pupils should … 7 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many subjects the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board considers pupils should expect to be examined for in S4 under the new national qualifications system.

Answer · Michael Russell · 16 Dec 2010

The Curriculum for Excellence Management Board has agreed the general approach to curriculum structures set out in <i >Building the Curriculum 3: a framework for learning and teaching</i>, and subsequent guidance on the senior phase.</p> <p >The precise number and range of qualifications on offer, as well as when they are taken, will be a decision for schools to take in consultation with learners and parents. Several models developed by schools to illustrate emerging thinking on how the senior phase (S4-S6) could be delivered are available on the Curriculum for Excellence website, including case studies that illustrate how five to eight subjects can be taken. The website address is <a href="http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/">www.ltscotland.org.uk</a>.</p>

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the teaching unions regarding the number of subjects tha… 7 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the teaching unions regarding the number of subjects that pupils (a) can and (b) should be examined for in S4 under the new national qualifications system.

Answer · Michael Russell · 16 Dec 2010

A number of teaching unions are represented on the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board that has agreed the general approach to curriculum structures set out in <i >Building the Curriculum 3: a framework for learning and teaching</i>, and subsequent guidance on the senior phase.</p> <p >The precise number and range of qualifications on offer, as well as when they are taken, will be a decision for schools to take in consultation with learners and parents. Several models developed by schools to illustrate emerging thinking on how the senior phase (S4-S6) could be delivered are available on the Curriculum for Excellence website, including case studies that illustrate how five to eight subjects can be taken. The website address is <a href="http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/">www.ltscotland.org.uk</a>.</p>

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with COSLA regarding the number of subjects that pupils (a) c… 7 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with COSLA regarding the number of subjects that pupils (a) can and (b) should be examined for in S4 under the new national qualifications system.

Answer · Michael Russell · 16 Dec 2010

The Scottish Government has not discussed this issue with COSLA. However, the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board (on which the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) represent the interests of local authorities) agreed the general approach to curriculum structures set out in <i >Building the Curriculum 3: a framework for learning and teaching</i>, and subsequent guidance on the senior phase.</p> <p >The precise number and range of qualifications on offer, as well as when they are taken, will be a decision for schools to take in consultation with learners and parents. Several models developed by schools to illustrate emerging thinking on how the senior phase (S4-S6) could be delivered are available on the Curriculum for Excellence website, including case studies that illustrate how five to eight subjects can be taken. The website address is <a href="http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/">www.ltscotland.org.uk</a>.</p>

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to give advice to schools and local authorities regarding the number of … 7 Dec 2010 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to give advice to schools and local authorities regarding the number of subjects that it expects pupils to be examined for in S4 under the new national qualifications system and, if so, what advice.

Answer · Michael Russell · 16 Dec 2010

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-38136 on 16 December 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx</a>.</p>

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Motions lodged126 lodged
11 Mar 2011 Forth Crossing Contract 12 sig.
12 Jan 2011 Education 0 sig.
10 Nov 2010 Curriculum for Excellence 0 sig.
6 Oct 2010 Refresh of the Skills Strategy 0 sig.
29 Sep 2010 Higher Education 0 sig.
6 Sep 2010 Congratulations to the Cramond Association on its 50th Anniversary 7 sig.

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Seat & career3 seats held
  • Edinburgh West Constituency MSP · Dissolution 3 May 2007 – 22 Mar 2011
  • Edinburgh West Constituency MSP · Dissolution 1 May 2003 – 2 Apr 2007
  • Edinburgh West Constituency MSP · Dissolution 6 May 1999 – 31 Mar 2003

Source: this MSP's profile on parliament.scot.

Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.