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The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is investigating a data breach at an Ayrshire school after a large number of documents were leaked online.

Unauthorised use of login details at the unnamed school has led to more than 17,000 documents being released online.

The files include coursework assessments and support materials for teachers. Most files are understood to be “historic”, but a minority relate to a number of SQA courses in 2025.

It is also understood that the data is not viewed as sensitive or as identifying students or staff.

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Reports of a breach appeared in social media posts by LinkedIn and X users over the weekend.

An SQA spokesperson said: “SQA can confirm that the issue relates to the unauthorised use of website-access credentials at a single SQA centre and is not the result of a cyberattack.

“The centre’s access to has been suspended. Other SQA centres can continue to safely access SQA Secure while our investigations continue.”

The SQA is expected to release more details later today, which may address the subjects that are affected and whether there will be any impact on 2025 assessment approaches.

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