The first Primary 7 pupils in Fife were awarded the new Fife Diploma of Achievement on Friday 19 June 2026, marking a significant step in recognising skills, strengths and achievements of local young people, alongside traditional school qualifications.
The Fife Diploma of Achievement (FDA) awards were presented at Glenrothes High School to 140 pupils from Caskieberran, Pitcoudie, Rimbleton and South Parks primary schools.
Glenrothes High School and its feeder primary schools have been amongst the first schools to deliver the FDA. The Diploma has been piloted over 2025/26 across 20 Fife primary schools and five secondary schools, and there are plans to expand further in 2026/27.
The Diplomas are currently awarded at the end of P7 and S3, and for selected learners in S4. Over time, all pupils will participate, with Diplomas awarded at key transition points and when leaving education.
The Fife Diploma of Achievement is a new local award that recognises the full breadth of young people’s learning and experiences – in school, at home and in their communities. It is not an exam‑based qualification and does not replace National Qualifications or Highers, but sits alongside them to give a fuller picture of each learner.
The Diploma recognises achievement across four key pillars:
Leadership
Enterprise
Volunteering and work experience
Personal achievement
The Diploma links closely with wider work to tailor learning to pupils’ interests, strengths and future ambitions. This includes practical learning, leadership opportunities, wellbeing and mental health learning, enterprise activity and preparation for college, apprenticeships, employment or university. It also helps pupils capture vital skills such as communication, teamwork, problem‑solving, digital confidence and self‑management, using digital platforms already familiar in schools.
By starting in primary school, the Diploma recognises pupils’ strengths early, building confidence and showing that learning and success takes many forms - not just exams. The Diploma captures achievements in one place, giving a clearer picture of strengths, interests and future options and better prepares our young people for their next steps in work, education or training.
Donald Macleod, Executive Director of Education, Fife Council, said: “The new Fife Diploma of Achievement is a local award recognising academic learning alongside wider skills, personal achievement and community involvement, presenting a broader picture of achievement and shows a more rounded view of a young person’s capabilities and true potential.
“There is growing recognition that young people need more than exam grades alone to succeed. Employers, colleges and training providers consistently highlight the importance of transferable ‘human skills’ such as communication, teamwork, leadership, creativity, digital confidence and adaptability. By recognising achievement in a broader, practical way, Fife is helping young people tell their story with confidence and ensuring that learning is understood as much more than exams alone.”
Cara Hilton, Spokesperson - Education, Fife Council, said: “The Fife Diploma of Achievement is about recognising the whole young person. The Diploma helps young people understand what they are good at, value their achievements and feel prepared for the next step in their journey. This complements formal qualifications, helping families, schools, colleges and employers better understand the wide range of skills our young people develop.
“Our focus on education in Fife is on encouragement, inclusion and support and this award is designed to benefit every learner, at their own pace and in their own way. The Diploma is inclusive, recognising everyday achievements and progress, including classroom learning, wider school life, community or family responsibilities and personal challenges overcome. It captures a broad range of skills and experiences, including problem solving, organisation, community engagement and work‑readiness.”
The Fife Diploma of Achievement uses an online profile to track work, achievements and learning. This is supported by the new Transforming Learning Fife programme, which is helping improve learning and assessment by using digital tools to support all pupils.
Caskieberran Primary School Teachers, Carolyn Downie and Kirstin Duncan, welcomed the Diploma, saying: "The Fife Diploma of Achievement has provided our P7 pupils with invaluable opportunities to develop skills for learning, life and work through meaningful real-life experiences. Throughout the programme, the children have grown in confidence, independence and resilience, while developing a deeper understanding of the meta-skills they use every day. They are now able to recognise, discuss and apply these skills in a range of contexts, preparing them well for the transition to secondary school and beyond."
