A higher media studies course at the centre of a probe into why an entire class failed their exams has been axed by Inverness College UHI.
A spokeswoman confirmed the change last night and said the course was only a component in a broader national certificate programme in media at the college. The change will take effect from September at the beginning of the next college term.
The spokeswoman said that the decision resulted from an annual curriculum review by the college in response to local and regional demand, which included working closely with partner secondary schools to provide a comprehensive range of courses for school pupils.
However, she could not rule out that a class of 20 students failing their higher media exams last summer may have been a factor in the decision to remove the course.
The spokeswoman added: “The college continues to deliver a national certificate programme in media, which has been redesigned to provide direct progression into HND Visual Communications.
“The annual review of the college curriculum takes account of a range of factors and is largely informed by demand, employment prospects and progression opportunities.”
She added that the college do not comment on the process and outcome of any specific internal reviews.
In August last year, an entire class of 20 students received “no award” grades when their results were released.
The college insisted that the embarrassing set of results were delivered despite quality assurance processes being in place.
After the results were revealed, college principal and chief executive Diane Rawlinson took the unprecedented step of apologising to each individual student on the phone.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) said at the time that it was “happy” that the assessment had “performed as intended.”
Yesterday an SQA spokesman said: “We have provided specific support to Inverness College on higher
media to ensure the national assessment standards are fully understood, and how those national standards should be applied. We also have an extensive Understanding Standards programme of events, as well as subject-specific material, which are available to all centres.”
Another example of a course being removed by the college in 2017-18 is the national qualification in humanities, while new programmes include HNC soft tissue therapy, HNC fashion make-up and the inclusion of an Honours year in BSc forestry management.
