Cole-Hamilton backs Scottish cheerleaders in exam battle

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has called on the Scottish Government and the Scottish Qualification Authority to look again at a decision over exam invigilation which will force Scottish cheerleaders due to sit Higher and National 5 exams to choose between either missing exams or missing out on representing their country.

A number of Scottish dance teams have qualified for the World Championships ‘The Summit’ taking place in Florida in May. A variety of different competitions are taking place over the space of three weeks.

However, new SQA guidance starting in 2025 for students sitting Higher and National 5 exams has separated the different competitions in Florida, giving alternative venue qualification - being able to sit their exams from Florida - to some athletes but not to others.

The new guidance means that athletes with dance companies such as Joanne Smith’s Capital All Stars do not qualify for an alternative venue if they are competing at events other than the ICU World Championships.  

Across the UK, over 300 athletes took their exams in Florida last year while taking part as athletes in the series of World Championships, and this has been stripped away from some of the Scottish athletes.

Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"This feels like a real injustice. Many of these athletes have spent years in training to get to this stage but now they are faced with either missing exams or missing out on representing their country.

"It seems as if the SQA are being unhelpful and inflexible. If it's possible for some athletes to complete exams abroad then it seems like there is no good reason why this cannot be extended to others in similar circumstances.

"I want to see talented athletes given the chance to thrive both competitively and academically. If the SQA won't see sense then perhaps it is time for the Education Secretary or the sports minister to have a word in their ear."