Grantown Grammar School exam results improve for fifth year in row
Exam results have again improved at Grantown Grammar School, the headteacher has revealed.
Claire McGonigal and her senior team are still analysing the National and Higher results published earlier today by the SQA.
However, she said that early indications are that the latest results in this most unusual of years had seen the upward trend in positive results continue.
There were no exams for Scottish pupils this year because of the coronavirus pandemic with grades being assessed by teachers on coursework before submission to the SQA for final determination.
Ms McGonigal told the Strathy she was hugely proud of the achievements and hard work of pupils and staff.
She said: "Overall, our results have increased again this year which continues the trend of improving results at all levels including National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Highers over the last four years.
"This year, however, the SQA results were even more unpredictable than usual with exams being suspended.
"The SQA employed a complicated algorithm which took school estimates based on pupil work throughout the year and produced the overall results.
"We’re delighted for all of our pupils who achieved their predicted estimates but are very much aware that there are some pupils who’ll be disappointed that they weren’t awarded the marks estimated by staff.
"We have published an appeal process in line with the Highland Council appeals process to all parents and would invite those pupils who are uncertain about their results to get in touch.
"All pupils started their new courses for next year’s exams in June and these will continue when we welcome everyone back to school next week regardless of any appeals results which are pending.”
Around 138,000 candidates from across Scotland have been receiving their SQA qualifications results today.
It was the first time in over 130 years that exams in Scotland had been cancelled.
The General Teaching Council Scotland Chief Executive and Registrar Kenneth Muir said: “I commend the commitment and resilience of the Scottish teaching profession and pupils who have experienced an unprecedented upheaval to this year’s exam diet.
“Education professionals across the country have demonstrated their professionalism and ingenuity in maintaining the delivery of meaningful learning and teaching in the most challenging of circumstances.
"They have also taken on a considerable amount of additional work to comply with the SQA’s amended arrangements for assessing candidate performance this year.
“I believe that teachers are genuine heroes in the way they have responded during lockdown and for the dedication they have shown towards our young people.”
Unlike students in England and Wales, Scottish pupils do not have the option to sit make-up exams in the Autumn.
Instead, an appeals process has been decided on by officials, whereby students can submit evidence to their individual schools if they are unhappy with results.
