Pupils across the north of Scotland are celebrating their hard work after receiving their exam results today.
It is has not been an easy year for many youngsters, who have had lessons disrupted by industrial action and even power-cuts – like those in Shetland, following snowy weather.
Nationally, the Higher pass rate is down from last year but remains about 2019 levels – with attainment of A to C grades at 77.1%.
It had been 79.8% in 2022, 87.3% in 2021, 89.3% in 2020 and 74.8% in 2019.
For National 5 qualifications, the pass rate was 78.8%, down from 80.8% in 2022. It was 85.8% in 2021 and 78.2% in 2019.
But how has each local council in our area performed?
Aberdeenshire
A total of 31,456 exams across 76 subjects were taken in Aberdeenshire this year.
Early SQA figures for this year’s pass rates show:
- National 4 pass rate 86.3% has increased by 10% from 2022
- National 5 pass rate is going from 80.4% to 78% – a 2% decrease
- Higher (75.6%) and Advanced Higher (75.7%) rates have also decreased by 3% and 5% respectively
Aberdeenshire Council’s head of education Vincent Docherty said: “This is the second year of exams being marked by the SQA following significantly different circumstances and awarding processes over the past few years – and last year where a ‘more generous approach to grading exams’ was carried out.
“Our early analysis shows a positive performance for many of our pupils and today is about congratulating them for delivering this high level of performance. From us all at the education team, we’re really proud of our young people.”
Foundation Apprenticeship results were strong and higher than the national average.
At level four and five, 70% of 326 students successfully completed their full FA award which rose to 80% at level six.
Aberdeen
More pupils in Aberdeen City have achieved SQA Awards than previous years with a total of 23,022 being presented.
Other highlights include:
- An additional 1,294 National 5 awards were presented this year with 74.5% achieving a grade between A and C.
- There were 275 presentations made at Higher compared to 2022 with 33% pupils sitting at that level achieving an A grade.
- For Advanced Higher, an additional 74 grades were awarded.
Robert Gordon’s College also reported their first year of online students from across Scotland undertaking the tech-education programme all received an A or B grade at Higher.
Convener of education and children’s services committee said, Martin Greig, said: “I congratulate everyone who has received their SQA results today.
“I especially want to thank the school communities, families and friends for giving the students so much encouragement and support through the year.”
Moray
Across Moray 29 young people have achieved five or more A grades at Higher – one of the highest amounts in 20 years.
Another 80 students achieved six A grades at National 5.
Over 90% of S4 pupils achieved a National 5 award and 91% of S5 students achieving a Higher award.
There was also a high percentage of S6 pupils who were presented with awards. For Advanced Higher, 89% achieved a grade between A and D.
For Higher, this percentage was slightly less at 85%.
Vivienne Cross, chief education officer at Moray Council, said: “It’s important to recognise that SQA results are only part of the many forms of achievement our young people gain during their time in secondary schools.
“Please do not be anxious if your results are not as you had hoped for as there are many opportunities to gain accreditation to support your chosen pathway.”
Highlands
In the Highlands, 1,625 pupils have achieved five or more National 5 qualifications – a 2% increase than 2022.
In S5, 105 students – half of which attend rural schools – have achieved five A grade Higher awards.
Other highlights on pass rates include:
- S5 pupils achieving five or more Higher awards has gone up by 1.7% to 19% of those in S5.
- 32% of S6 pupils achieved three or more Higher awards and 18.7% gained at least one advanced higher.
Education chairman John Finlayson, said: “There is much to celebrate across Highland in terms of this year’s results, and I would like to congratulate all who have achieved the results they hoped for.
“I am particularly proud of the achievements of our young people in S5 who live in vulnerable circumstances achieving a 3.2% increase in the number of Higher qualifications gained – that’s 35 more young people than last year.
“To those young people who are disappointed with any of their grades, don’t forget that there is a great deal of support available to you in your school to help you to decide what your next steps will be.”
Shetland
Just over 600 pupils are receiving their exam results today and have been congratulated on their success despite various weather disruptions earlier this year.
Although the A to C pass rate is slightly lower than last year’s across all qualification levels, it still remains high.
The pass rate for National 5 for pupils in Shetland is actually 82% which is over 3% higher than the Scottish average for this year.
Catherine Hughson, vice-chairwoman of the council’s education and families committee said: “I’d like to congratulate all the pupils on their achievements.
“I would like to thank all the teachers, head teachers and support staff who have helped prepare our young people for exams this year and who have provided them with the health and wellbeing support to help them achieve their potential despite the weather and other disruptions during a critical time in their learning.”
Argyll and Bute
Pupils’ pass rates in Argyll and Bute are this year higher than the national average despite a “difficult few years”.
Pass rates for Higher and Advanced Higher has increased by 3.9% and 3.8% and all who sat for National 4 have passed. This is 12.2% above the national figure.
The council’s policy lead for education, Yvonne McNeilly said: “Congratulations to every single young person in Argyll and Bute who received their exam results today.
“The last few years have been difficult, and they should be very proud of themselves whether or not they achieved the results they had hoped for.
“Our school pupils are still feeling the effects of missed learning as a result of the pandemic, but they have done exceptionally well to achieve what they have.”
Conversation