Scotland’s young people have recorded another highly successful set of results for this year’s SQA qualifications with more pupils getting a university place on exams results day than ever before. This was the second highest number of Higher passes on record, despite a fall in the size of the year-groups involved.
There was also an increase in Higher-level qualifications gained in relation to wider skills for life and work, confirming that efforts to expand vocational education are having an impact.
Despite a fall in the number of school students this year, Scotland’s students achieved 152,701 Higher passes, only the second time the number of passes has exceeded 150,000 and an increase of more than 40,000 since 2006.
Importantly, there have been significant increases in the number of students taking and passing qualifications related to wider life and work skills, with attainment of National Certificates at SCQF level 6 – each of which attracts the same number of credit points as three Highers – up by 23% to 4,920.
The figures also reveal that total attainment for Awards, National Certificates and National Progression Awards – in courses such as early education and childcare, computer games development, and leadership – is up by 27% this year, to more than 43,000.
This increase demonstrates welcome progress in the Scottish Government’s Developing the Young Workforce programme, broadening the educational opportunities available to Scotland’s young people to help give them the best chance of future success.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education, John Swinney said: “This has been another successful year for Scotland’s young people and I would like to congratulate them on all their hard work and achievement. Receiving results can be a nerve-wracking time and everyone who has received positive results today can be extremely proud of their efforts.
“Today’s results show that Scotland’s learners continue to perform very well, with the second highest number of Higher passes on record, despite a fall in the size of the S5 and S6 year groups. This year is only the second time in history that we have seen more than 150,000 Higher passes, up from around 112,000 just ten years ago.
“The results also demonstrate the changing nature of Scotland’s education system, as it responds to the challenge set by the Developing the Young Workforce programme. That approach seeks to prepare our young people better to enter the world of work by offering them much more choice and flexibility in their education path than traditional qualifications alone.
“It is encouraging therefore to see strong performances in qualifications related to wider skills for life and work and I greatly welcome the increase of attainment in Awards, National Certificates and National Progression Awards.”
The Scottish Qualifications Authority announced the results for National Courses and Awards 2016 today.
Results certificates have been sent to 140,055 candidates across Scotland. Candidates have been rewarded for completing coursework, exams and unit assessments for the 2015-16 academic year in a wide range of qualifications and subjects at levels to suit all learners.
These qualifications and subjects include Access, Nationals, Highers and Advanced Highers for candidates in schools and colleges. In addition, a range of Awards, Skills for Work, National Progression Awards and National Certificates are also being certificated today. Attainment in many of these awards has increased in 2016, and these are part of a broadening of the curriculum and also support the implementation of Developing the Young Workforce (DYW). Throughout the year the SQA also awards a number of other qualifications such as SVQs, HNCs and HNDs which support the Scottish Government’s youth employment strategy.
This is the first year that all schools and colleges have offered the new Higher to candidates, following last year’s phased introduction and is the first year of the new Advanced Higher.
There continue to be variations in presentation patterns and the mix of qualifications taken by candidates.
Consequently, year-on-year comparisons and comparisons between current and previous qualifications remain complex.
Summary of entries, attainment and attainment rates for each National Qualification type, 2016 and 2015.
| SCQF level | National Qualification | 2016 Entries | 2016 Attainment | 2016 Attainment Rate | 2015 Entries | 2015 Attainment | 2015 Attainment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCQF 2 | National 2† | 2,449 | 1,849 | 75.5% | 1,865 | 1,488 | 79.8% |
| Access 2† | 20 | 19 | 95.0% | 104 | 48 | 46.2% | |
| SCQF 3 | National 3† | 18,475 | 16,659 | 90.2% | 17,268 | 15,756 | 91.2% |
| Access 3† | 3 | 3 | 100% | 3,340 | 3,184 | 95.3% | |
| SCQF 4 | National 4† | 122,961 | 114,635 | 93.2% | 130,876 | 122,071 | 93.3% |
| Intermediate 1* | – | – | – | 1,553 | 1,170 | 75.3% | |
| SCQF 5 | National 5* | 295,083 | 234,160 | 79.4% | 288,016 | 229,870 | 79.8% |
| Intermediate 2* | – | – | – | 10,678 | 7,828 | 73.3% | |
| SCQF 6 | Higher* | 197,774 | 152,701 | 77.2% | 107,295 | 85,019 | 79.2% |
| Previous Higher* | – | – | – | 92,555 | 70,981 | 76.7% | |
| SCQF 7 | Advanced Higher* | 23,795 | 19,443 | 81.7% | – | – | – |
| Previous Advanced Higher* | – | – | – | 23,348 | 18,899 | 80.9% | |
| Scottish Baccalaureate* | 140 | 103 | 73.6% | 122 | 98 | 80.3% | |
| Total | 660,700 | 677,020 |
- For Intermediate, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher, which are graded, the attainment and attainment rate is based on Grade A-C attainment.
† For Access, National 2- National 4, courses, which are ungraded, the attainment and attainment rate is based on entries which have resulted in a pass.
Dr Janet Brown, SQA’s chief executive and Scotland’s chief examining officer, said: “On behalf of everyone at SQA, I would like to congratulate the thousands of candidates being recognised for their hard work and achievements today. I would also like to recognise and pay tribute to the teachers, lecturers, parents and carers for their support and commitment.
“This is the first year candidates will have been offered the full range of National Courses as part of Curriculum for Excellence. These results are testament to the dedication of the entire Scottish education system, working in partnership for the benefit of our young people.
“The new qualifications are performing well and the results clearly are enabling young people to transition between the levels and develop a wider range of skills. It is important to recognise the different paths candidates can take to achieve success, whether it be in National Courses, Skills for Work or National Progression Awards. Our flexible qualifications, which are accessible to a broad range of candidates, provide opportunities for further training, study or employment. The breadth of our qualifications also allows candidates to decide, with their teachers and lecturers, which qualifications and levels to pursue, depending on what is right for them.
“SQA would also like to pay special tribute to the 15,000 ‘appointees’ – teachers, lecturers and subject specialists – who work with us, and play a significant role in monitoring, marking and quality-assuring our assessments.”
English
The new Advanced Higher English was introduced this year, with an A-C attainment rate of 80.9%, building on the Higher and National 5. Entries at Higher have increased, candidates engaged well with the assessments and there was strong performance across the full marks range with an A-C attainment rate of 78.8%.
At National 5, candidates continued to perform well. Attainment is very similar to last year at 86.8%.
Mathematics
The new Advanced Higher Mathematics was introduced this year with an A-C attainment rate of 73.8%. The A-C attainment rate for Higher Maths was 73.5%.
The National 5 Mathematics question paper performed as intended with candidates achieving an A-C attainment rate of 63.2%, an increase from 2015. National 5 Lifeskills Mathematics had an attainment rate of 35.8%.
New qualifications
Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) represents a different approach to learning and assessment and in the way education is delivered. This fresh approach to learning has required new assessment methods and qualifications to ensure continuity of learning and assessment as young people have moved from their broad general education through to their senior phase.
In designing the new qualifications SQA’s key aim has been to help schools and colleges prepare young people to be successful in this fast changing world and to give them the confidence to use their skills and knowledge to tackle new challenges.
The new qualifications provide a balance of skills and knowledge and with more flexible assessment that allows teachers more scope to ensure that assessment supports the learning.
The new Advanced Higher has been implemented this year, with an overall 81.7% A-C attainment rate.
National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications include final exams and course assessments to allow candidates to demonstrate a broad range of skills and knowledge.
In addition to the Nationals, Highers and Advanced Highers, SQA provides a suite of qualifications that meet a wider range of learners’ interest and abilities, including awards in areas such as leadership, employability, personal finance, as well as a range of Skills for Work courses. These are part of a broadening of the curriculum and also support the implementation of Developing the Young Workforce.
This wide range of qualifications will help young people reach their full potential as they progress from their broad general education through to college, university, apprenticeships, other learning, training and employment.
We will continue to support schools and colleges in the 2016-17 session, by delivering a comprehensive range of events to help the understanding of standards.
SQA Awards
For the fourth year attainment figures are included in the statistics for SQA Awards. In total, 21,904 Awards have been achieved.
SQA Awards are designed to develop and provide evidence of specific skills that will help learners in the world of work and everyday life. Awards include Modern Languages for Life and Work, Employability, Scottish Studies and Enterprise.
National Progression Awards (NPAs) and National Certificates (NCs)
For the third year, attainment figures are included for National Progression Awards (NPAs) and National Certificates (NCs). In total, 11,739 NPAs and 9,412 NCs have been achieved.
NPAs are designed to assess a defined set of skills and knowledge in specialist vocational areas, such as Construction and Childcare.
National Certificates are designed to prepare people for employment, career development or progression to more advanced study in areas such as Sound Production and Fabrication and Welding Engineering.
| Attainment | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |
| SCQF level 1 | |||||
| Awards | 283 | 207 | 178 | 152 | – |
| SCQF level 2 | |||||
| Awards | 750 | 493 | 301 | 130 | 22 |
| National Progression Awards | 77 | 64 | 101 | 121 | 87 |
| SCQF level 3 | |||||
| Awards | 3,863 | 3,205 | 2,263 | 1,216 | 563 |
| National Certificates | 18 | 7 | 17 | 6 | 4 |
| National Progression Awards | 135 | 119 | 161 | 129 | 141 |
| SCQF level 4 | |||||
| Awards | 11,391 | 9,673 | 7,887 | 4,542 | 2,177 |
| National Certificates | 371 | 273 | 89 | 130 | 167 |
| National Progression Awards | 4,958 | 4,336 | 4,111 | 4,153 | 3,788 |
| SCQF level 5 | |||||
| Awards | 2,907 | 1,952 | 1,514 | 578 | 199 |
| National Certificates | 4,103 | 3,219 | 2,582 | 2,454 | 2,360 |
| National Progression Awards | 4,958 | 4,120 | 4,206 | 3,685 | 3,448 |
| SCQF level 6 | |||||
| Awards | 2,710 | 1,305 | 801 | 588 | 419 |
| National Certificates | 4,920 | 3,989 | 2,729 | 2,664 | 3,025 |
| National Progression Awards | 1,611 | 969 | 701 | 554 | 463 |
| TOTAL | 43,055 | 33,931 | 27,641 | 21,102 | 16,863 |
Skills for Work & Personal Development
Skills for Work and Personal Development courses – available across SCQF levels 2-6, are also included in the statistics. In total, 8,513 Skills for Work and Personal Development courses have been achieved.
Skills for Work courses focus on the world of work and the generic employability skills needed for success in the workplace. The courses offer opportunities for learners to acquire these critical generic employability skills through a variety of practical experiences that are linked to a particular vocational area such as construction, hairdressing, hospitality.
Young people taking one of these Skills for Work Courses will normally spend some of their time at a local college, other training provider or employer.
Personal Development courses aim to help learners become ready for employment, and contribute as independent members of society through the development of transferable life skills. The courses encourage candidates to build a range of personal, social and vocational skills such as evaluating, planning, reviewing, managing tasks and working with others. In 2016, the Personal Development courses have become part of our Awards provision.
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entries | 10,008 | 11,883 | 12,065 | 11,617 | 10,781 |
| Attainment | 8,513 | 9,980 | 9,465 | 9,198 | 7,986 |
| Attainment rate | 85.1% | 84.0% | 78.5% | 79.2% | 74.1% |
number of Scottish students gain access to universities
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