Mixed picture for SQA exam results in the Highlands
There have been slight falls in pupils attaining A to C in Advanced Highers in the Highlands but more S4 pupils have gained National 5 English and Maths awards in the region.
Pupils across the strath and wider Scotland have been receiving their SQA results today.
These are the first full set of exams since 2019 not to have any adjustments for Covid.
Council bosses have praised pupils for their hard work and pointed out that their education has been disrupted considerably by the pandemic.
The results are an initial snapshot of attainment and achievement for the 2023/24 session, with a fuller picture available later in the year when other accreditation such as college courses and wider achievement awards are finalised.
In the Highland Council region, there was an increase in National 5 entries from the previous year with 75.6 per cent of candidates attaining A-C grades and an increase in the number of pupils attaining grade As.
The main trends compared to 22/23 results in the main, indicate
• in S4 more young people attained National 5 English and Maths award compared to the previous year with 68.1% attaining National 5 English and 47.9% attaining a National 5 Maths award.
• There was improved attainment by S4 pupils from the most deprived areas with a 5% increase in National 5 awards for this group of leaners.
• In S6 there has been a notable increase in the number of pupils attaining 1 or more Level 6 awards. 67.6% of young people in S6 attained 1 or more level 6 award, an increase of 3.5% on the previous year.
• Similarly, in S6, there is an increase percentage of young people attaining 3 or more level 6 awards with 27.7% achieving this award compared to 27.1% in 2022.
• For Advanced Highers the A-C pass rate was down slightly on 2023 by 1.5%.
• In S5, there was a slight decline on the previous year of young people attaining 5 or more Level 6 awards, but remaining steady with the last three year Highland average.
•There has also been a dip in the proportion of S4s attaining A, B or C grade at National 5 this year.
A fuller picture will be available later in the year when other accreditation such as college courses and wider achievement awards are finalised.
Education Committee Chairman Councillor John Finlayson said: “Today marks a significant milestone for all the pupils receiving their SQA exam results, and this year’s data from across Highland reflects the resilience and hard work of all our young people and their teachers.
“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.
“To those young people who are disappointed with any of their grades, please 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.
“For those young people in this position, I would urge you to make contact, with your personal support teacher as they will be able to give you advice, as will Skills Development Scotland officers.
“I would also urge parents and carers to take time to talk over exam results with their young people and to celebrate and offer support where it is required.
“It will take us a little time to analyse the results and how these compare nationally.
“However, our initial assessment suggests attainment in Highland largely mirrors the national picture.
“It is important to acknowledge, as the Cabinet Secretary for Education said herself this morning, this is the first year since 2019 that the full range of external assessment has been undertaken, with no adjustments made for Covid.
“At the same time, there is no doubt that the cohort of young people taking exams this year have experienced significant disruption in their education over the last four years.
“They are to be congratulated on their hard work and resilience.”
Highland Council’s assistant chief executive - people, Kate Lackie said: “I would like to congratulate all our young people today as they receive accreditation for their achievements, for both graded and ungraded course awards.
“Today’s results reflect the hard work of the students over many months and years of study and the support and guidance of their families, teachers and wider school staff.
“Where a young person may not have received the grades or qualifications they set out to achieve, it is only natural that they will be disappointed.
“I would encourage anyone in this position to access the support and guidance that’s available to help them. It is also important to recognise that exams are not the sole route to success.
“Highland has a strong track record in supporting our young people to achieve positive destinations in education, training and employment, and our schools have worked hard with all our young people in developing their skills for learning for life and work.”
Help and advice is available for all students receiving their results from their own schools and also from Skills Development Scotland’s dedicated Exam Results Helpline which is available for a week from today onwards to support young people.
SQA's Candidate Advice Line service is free of charge and opens at 9am on results day.
Helplines
SQA Candidate Advice - 0345 279 1000.
Skills Development Scotland’s Results - 0808 100 8000.
UCAS - 0371 468 0468
More information has been sent to learners’ homes and is available at www.sqa.org.uk/results.
Clearing resources can be found at www.ucas.com/clearing.
