All Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) appeals will be processed by the end of September, it has emerged this afternoon.

Priority appeals should be submitted by Monday 24 August, with the outcomes communicated to schools, colleges and admissions body Ucas by Friday 4 September. All other appeals must be submitted by 7 September and will be completed by the end of September.

The SQA published details of this year’s appeals process late this afternoon, following the huge controversy over the results published on 4 August that eventually led to education secretary deciding that results should be based entirely on teachers’ estimates. The SQA said today that it was confirmed students’ grades would be determined solely on the basis of estimates provided by schools and colleges.

There are three grounds for submitting an appeal. The head of the school or college must believe there has been:

1. an error within SQA’s internal processes for reinstating the original school or college estimate;
2. an administrative error within the school or college, which meant it did not accurately reflect the intended grades at the time of submission; or
3. discrimination or other conduct contrary to the Equality Act 2010.

The SQA stated: “We anticipate these grounds will arise only exceptionally.”

Today we have provided schools, colleges and local authorities with reports confirming their candidates’ final grades based solely on school and college estimates, as directed by the Deputy First Minister. More details are availble on our website https://t.co/GcDlbRbcb7

- SQA (@sqanews) August 19, 2020

The SQA said that today it had “provided schools, colleges and local authorities with reports confirming their candidates’ final grades based solely on school and college estimates, as directed by [education secretary and deputy first minister John Swinney].” More details are available on the SQA website.

Revised SQA certificates will be with students on Tuesday 8 September.