Summary

  • Education Secretary John Swinney says that all results that were downgraded this year "will be withdrawn"

  • However, candidates whose grades were bumped above teacher estimates will not have them downgraded

  • Following the changes, the 2020 Nat 5 pass rate stands at 88.9% (+10.7); the Higher pass rate is 89.2% (+14.4) and the Advanced Higher pass rate sits at 93.1% (+13.7)

  • Nicola Sturgeon says she would not expect Celtic or Aberdeen to play their next scheduled games because of coronavirus rule breaches

  • It comes after Boli Bolingoli admitted he played in Sunday's match against Kilmarnock despite having recently returned from Spain without quarantining

  • Pupils in Shetland and the Scottish Borders return to school for the first time since March

  • The number of positive cases rose by 52 in the last 24 hours with 27 in the Grampian area and 13 in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area

  • In total, 165 positive cases are associated with the Aberdeen pubs cluster, but the rate of increases appears to be slowing

  • The trend of no new deaths from positive virus results continues

  1. SQA statement later this afternoonpublished at 12:23 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    John Swinney

    The first minister reminds us that Education Secretary John Swinney will give a statement to parliament about this year's SQA exams result.

    That will begin at 2.50pm and as a result Ms Sturgeon won't cover that issue in her remarks today.

  2. 52 new cases of Covid-19 confirmedpublished at 12:19 British Summer Time 11 August 2020
    Breaking

    Nicola Sturgeon confirms 19,079 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, an increase of 52 from yesterday.

    That’s 1.2% of those that were newly tested yesterday.

    27 of the 52 new cases are in the Grampian health board area.

    A further 13 of the cases being reported today are in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area.

    269 patients are in hospital with a confirmed case (up two), with three being treated in intensive care.

    No deaths were registered in the last 24 hours of people who tested positive, meaning the total remains at 2,491.

  3. The Scottish government briefing begins shortly..published at 12:10 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Nicola Sturgeon visits a school preparing to reopenImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Nicola Sturgeon visits a school preparing to reopen - she can expect questions today on the future of her education secretary

    The Scottish government briefing will begin shortly.

    Nicola Sturgeon is today joined by Scotland's national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch.

    We expect the exams row and the future of the education secretary to dominate.

    Also the future of football in Scotland will feature as the Scottish government has warned that it could call a halt to the football season after a Celtic player breached coronavirus rules.

    We'll also get the latest coronavirus statistics with an update on the cluster of cases in Aberdeen.

  4. Coronavirus in Scotland: The headlines...published at 12:00 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Pupils return to school in the BordersImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Pupils return to school in the Borders

    If you're just joining us here's what's dominating the news this lunchtime:

    Education Secretary John Swinney will make a statement on the grades row at 2.50pmImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Education Secretary John Swinney will make a statement on the grades row at 2.50pm

    • The government is warning it could pause Scottish football after another breach of Coronavirus protocols.
    • Another 81,000 UK jobs were lost last month, largely because of the effects of coronavirus
    • In Scotland, the unemployment rate estimate rose over the quarter to 4.5%
    • The global number of coronavirus cases has now passed 20 million
  5. More than 20m cases of Covid-19 around the worldpublished at 11:57 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

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  6. More than 56,800 Covid-related deaths registered in the UKpublished at 11:50 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    New figures show 56,842 deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate have been registered in the UK.

    The National Records for Scotland reported 4,208 deaths involving Covid-19 had been registered in Scotland up to 2 August.

    In England and Wales, 51,779 deaths involving the virus had occurred up to 31 July, according to the Office for National Statistics figures.

    A total of 8,946 deaths were registered in England and Wales in the last week of July, according to the ONS - 90 fewer than the five-year average of 9,036. This is the seventh week in a row that deaths have been below the five-year average.

    Of the deaths registered in the week to 31 July, 193 mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate - the lowest number of deaths involving Covid-19 since the week ending March 20 (103 deaths).

    855 deaths had occurred in Northern Ireland up to 31 July according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

  7. Pupils begin returning to school in the Borders and Shetlandpublished at 11:45 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Pupils at Kelso High School are among the first in the UK to begin the new 2020/21 academic yearImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Pupils at Kelso High School are among the first in the UK to begin the new 2020/21 academic year

    Scotland's pupils have returned to classes for the first time since lockdown began nearly five months ago.

    Borders and Shetland schools are the first to reopen with most others following on Wednesday.

    Physical distancing among students will not generally be required but hygiene and safety measures such as one-way systems have been put in place.

    Except for children of key workers, most of the country's 700,000 pupils have not been in class since 20 March.

    Signs have been put up in classrooms at Cullivoe Primary School in Shetland in a bid to limit contact
    Image caption,

    Signs have been put up in classrooms at Cullivoe Primary School in Shetland in a bid to limit contact

  8. Coronavirus: Celtic's Boli Bolingoli apologises over quarantine breachpublished at 11:37 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Boli BolingoliImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Boli Bolingoli

    The Scottish government is warning that it could call a halt to the football season after a Celtic player breached coronavirus rules.

    Boli Bolingoli admitted he played in Sunday's match against Kilmarnock despite having recently returned from Spain without quarantining.

    The defender said he was "guilty of an error of judgement" and apologised.

    Scottish Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf described the player's actions as "utterly unacceptable."

    The breach comes after eight Aberdeen players apologised for visiting a bar at the centre of a Covid-19 outbreak.

  9. Mixed emotions as pupils return to schoolpublished at 11:27 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Kelso high schoolImage source, PA Media

    Pupils and parents have told of their mixed emotions as Scottish schools become the first in the UK to reopen as lockdown is eased.

    Pupils in the Scottish Borders have returned to school as have some in Shetland on a phased basis.

    Alex Bisset, an S6 pupil at Kelso High School in the Borders, said he felt safe returning as extra hygiene measures had been put in place on campus.

    But he was pessimistic about how long the school will remain open.

    The 17-year-old from Birgham said: "I'm feeling quite happy that things are slowly returning to normal but at the same time I don't think it's going to last.

    "I feel like in not too long there's going to be perhaps another outbreak and we'll all be sent home again."

    Isla Findlay, an S5 pupil at the school, said she felt a little overwhelmed seeing so many of her classmates after five months of lockdown.

    The 16-year-old from Kelso said: "I'm a bit nervous but, yeah, it will be good.

    "It's just, like, what's going to be different? I'm happy to see all of my friends - just how are they going to handle everything? It's a bit scary.

    "I'm feeling safe, it's just a lot seeing everyone again. I thought it would be a lot worse but it's nice to see everyone as it's been so long."

  10. Employment down in latest figurespublished at 11:16 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Douglas Fraser
    Scotland business & economy editor

    Unemployment up: employment down: with fewer job opportunities, fewer people making themselves available for work.

    So, there are no surprises in the labour market figures for April, May and June - the most severe months of lockdown, with some easing in June.

    However, it is a little surprising that the figures have not shifted more.

    An unemployment rate of 4.5% remains low, given the extraordinary economic events since March. The UK rate, of 3.9%, is the same as last year.

    It seems the Labour Force Survey, which results in the normal headline employment statistics, is failing to capture those events, mainly because those on furlough are not counted as unemployed.

    Partly, that is because many will return to work when it is there for them to do, and partly because the scheme is delaying unemployment for others.

  11. 'No concern' over pupils' returnpublished at 11:04 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Pupils arrive at Kelso High School on the Scottish Borders as schools in Scotland start reopening on TuesdayImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Pupils arrive at Kelso High School in the Scottish Borders as schools in Scotland start reopening on Tuesday

    Ian Aitchison, from the National Parent Forum in the Borders, said he had no concerns about pupils in the area returning to school today.

    "We have been very fortunate here, the parent body has had a great dialogue with the council, all questions have been answered and I'm very confident that all measures that can be taken have been taken."

    Pupils arrive at Kelso High School on the Scottish Borders as schools in Scotland start reopening on TuesdayImage source, PA Media
  12. Will Mr Swinney face a vote of no confidence at Holyrood?published at 10:55 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

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    To start with, even losing a confidence vote at Holyrood technically would not doom the education secretary. Unlike the government as a whole, there is no statutory requirement for a minister to go after losing such a vote - although in reality the pressure on them would be immense.

    Ms Sturgeon has absolved the SQA of any blame, making it very clear that the buck stops with ministers.

    Having come up with the idea, Scottish Labour are likely to push for a vote against Mr Swinney regardless of what he comes up with. The same is probably true of the Scottish Conservatives.

    So his fate will ultimately lie in the hands of the Greens and the Lib Dems, who are both waiting to hear the detail of the statement.

    Ms Sturgeon insists this is "not party political", and that she would look to do right by students regardless of any looming rebellion at Holyrood.

    However, it is inescapable that she is a first minister facing an election in May, and who pegged education and boosting pupils from more deprived backgrounds as her number one priority for the current term of parliament.

    If her government is seen to have dropped the ball on that very issue, months before voters go to the polls, it could be a lot more than the fate of Mr Swinney on the line.

  13. 'The SQA are responsible for this catastrophe'published at 10:47 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Mornings with Stephen Jardine
    BBC Radio Scotland

    Prof Paterson from the University of Edinburgh says he doubts whether the relationship between teachers and the exam body, the SQA, could be any worse.

    "Essentially the SQA, a bunch of bureaucrats and statisticians, have said to teachers we don't trust your judgement and we are going to impose our statistical models on you," he says.

    "That is absolutely not a way to run an education system," Prof Paterson says.

    "Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday the fault did not lie with the SQA, it lies with her. She is wrong, it does lie with the SQA.

    "If the fault did lie with government it would mean it was intervening in the assessment process which would be a completely inappropriate thing to do for government.

    "The SQA seems completely impervious to taking any responsibility for this catastrophe."

  14. Schools return: 'It's going to be different for them'published at 10:43 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Pupils returnImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Pupils have returned to school in the Borders but can expect to find some changes

    Meanwhile pupils have started their return to classrooms - with students in Shetland and the Borders resuming lessons for the first time since the lockdown forced the closure of schools in March.

    The main teaching unions have told BBC Radio Scotland some members are concerned about safety and consideration should be given to older students wearing face coverings.

    Jill Lothian is head of Kelso High School - she says strict protocols are in place: "There's obviously hand sanitiser, there's one way systems in place and when the young people go into classrooms we're adhering to the 2m social distancing from the member of staff and wipes etc through every room."

    Kelso High head teacher Jill Lothian says it's the new procedures that represent the biggest changeImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Kelso High head teacher Jill Lothian says it's the new procedures that represent the biggest change

    Quote Message

    "We're also trying to limit the amount of time the young people are moving round the building and keeping them as much apart as we possibly can. So it's going to be different for them but I'm sure after a week or so they'll get into that."

    Jill Lothian, Kelso High head teacher

  15. 'No easy solution to school grades'published at 10:38 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Mornings with Stephen Jardine
    BBC Radio Scotland

    Professor Lindsay Paterson
    Image caption,

    Professor Lindsay Paterson warns there are no easy solutions to the grades crisis

    Lindsay Paterson, professor of education at Edinburgh University, says there is no easy solution to the schools results crisis.

    "Nothing John Swinney says today can satisfy everyone," he says.

    Prof Paterson says that if there is evidence to back up a grade, such as a prelim which was done under proper exams conditions, then they could take the teacher's judgement on what grade to award.

    "I think that would mop up a very large number of the disputed cases," he says.

    Prof Paterson says he hopes the education secretary does that because it is looking at individual assessment.

    "The problem last week was people weren't being assessed as individuals they were being assessed according to their school," he says. "That was grossly unfair."

  16. Gymnastics clubs 'under threat' even after lockdown easingpublished at 10:35 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    young gymnastsImage source, getty

    Some young gymnasts in Scotland may have no club to return to once lockdown restrictions are lifted, the sport's leaders have warned.

    Gymnastics facilities closed in March and are unlikely to be allowed to reopen until mid-September.

    But Scottish Gymnastics fears the 20-week shutdown could have a long-term impact on the sport, with many clubs on the brink of a financial crisis.

    The governing body is urging ministers to allow the sport to resume.

    Read more

  17. Should Scottish football be paused after incidents?published at 10:28 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf tweets about claims a Celtic player failed to quarantine after returning from Spain and played in a game at the weekend.

    After incidents of players visiting bars in Aberdeen, he asks if Scottish Football should continue.

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  18. Schools reopen in the Borders and Shetland...published at 10:19 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Pupil returning to school with a face maskImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    This pupil returning to Kelso High School has chosen to wear a face mask although it is not mandatory

    Pupils in Shetland and the Borders in Scotland are returning to school today for the first time since March.

    Although they are not required to wear face coverings, as you can see from these photos of pupils returning to Kelso High School, some have chosen to do so on their way in to class.

    Physical distancing among students will not generally be required but hygiene and safety measures such as one-way systems have been put in place.

    Except for children of key workers, most of the country's 700,000 pupils have not been in class since 20 March.

    PupilsImage source, PA Media
    PupilsImage source, PA Media
  19. 'Let's move to continuous assessment'published at 10:05 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Mornings with Stephen Jardine
    BBC Radio Scotland

    ProtestImage source, PA Media

    Mother-of-three Vicky Johnston says her daughter Charlotte had sat four Highers and expected four As. She got Bs.

    She says she would have appealed against these grades but she is hoping that after Mr Swinney's announcement she won't have to.

    Ms Johnston tells Radio Scotland this year's crisis should have taught us to move away from end-of -the-year exams and have continuous assessment so we know how pupils are doing at all times.

    "Covid has been awful but we could say let's fix this this year and let's fix it for the kids going forward," she says.

    Join us here for extensive coverage of the education secretary's statement which begins at 2.50pm this afternoon.

  20. 'No school results system could have been perfect'published at 09:56 British Summer Time 11 August 2020

    Jamie McIvor
    BBC Scotland education correspondent

    We still don't know what Education Secretary John Swinney will announce this afternoon but the expectation is that it will be a system which will place far more emphasis on the grades which teachers recommended to begin with.

    Whether or not that means everybody gets the grades their teachers had put forward we will have to wait to find out.

    If all students get the grade recommended by their teachers then the pass rate would rise significantly.

    The problem with that could be the results given out this year could lack long-term credibility.

    The aim of the SQA moderation had been to ensure the qualifications this year were just as valid as any other year.

    Essentially what we are talking about is replacing one imperfect system with another.

    Nothing that could have been arranged for this year, in this emergency would have been perfect.