Plans for the 2021 exam diet have been updated in light of continuing disruption to young people’s education caused by coronavirus (COVID-19).
Higher and Advanced Higher exams will not go ahead and will be replaced with awards based on teacher judgement of evidence of pupils’ attainment. The assessment model will be based on the approach already agreed for National 5 awards, details of which are being set out today.
Data shows that since the return to school in August, there have been varied instances of COVID-related disruption to learning, with a higher proportion of pupils from more deprived areas having to spend time out of school.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “In October, I said Highers and Advanced Highers would go ahead if it was safe and fair to do so. Since then, many pupils have suffered disruption because of COVID, as they were obliged to self-isolate or even saw their school closed. The level of disruption has, however, not been the same across the board – pupils in deprived areas have been hit hardest.
“While we hope that public health will improve in the coming months with the roll-out of the vaccine, we cannot guarantee that there will be no further disruption to pupils’ learning.
“Holding exams would run the risk of translating the unequal impact of COVID into unfair results for our poorest pupils, leading to their futures being blighted through no fault of their own. That is simply not fair.
“There will be no Higher or Advanced Higher exams in 2021. Instead we will adopt a new model that is based on the one developed for National 5 qualifications and make awards on teacher judgement of evidence of learner attainment. This approach is more flexible and takes account of the reality of the disruption so many pupils have already had to their learning.”
Mr Swinney also announced there will be an exceptional one-off payment to teachers and lecturers who are critical to assessing and marking National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses this year.
This is to recognise their additional workload of assessing national qualifications in this unique academic year in the absence of exams. The Scottish Government will work with partners and employers on the specifics of this payment.
The National Qualifications 2021 group, led by the SQA and involving local authority directors of educations, the EIS, and others, have been working to develop the model for assessing National 5 qualifications.
It involves teachers and lecturers working with the SQA to understand the standards required for national qualifications and how to apply this when grading pieces of evidence such as course work. No algorithm will be used, nor will learners’ awards be based on school past performance.
Results for learners will be awarded on 10 August.
The Deputy First Minister’s statement to Parliament on 8 December is here
Pupils whose results were downgraded by the SQA are to receive new grades based solely on teacher estimates.
The SQA’s alternative certification model was put in place after exams were cancelled due to coronavirus (COVID-19). After listening to the concerns of affected young people, parents and teachers over the last week, Ministers are directing the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to re-issue downgraded awards solely on the basis of teacher judgement, without reference to historical patterns.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney today apologised to the 75,000 young people whose estimated mark was reduced by the SQA and said that the downgraded awards risked ‘young people, particularly from working class backgrounds may lose faith in education and form the view that no matter how hard you work, the system is against you.’
As a result:
Where a teacher estimate was adjusted down by the SQA, candidates will receive the grade the teacher awarded
Candidates whose entries were adjusted up by the SQA will retain the higher grade
The SQA will inform schools of the revised results by Friday 21 August for schools to tell pupils. New certificates will be issued in due course.
The SQA will provide new grades to UCAS and other college and university admissions bodies, and the Scottish Government will ensure enough places at colleges and universities so that all places awarded to young people can be taken up
In order to learn lessons and plan for next year:
Ministers have asked Professor Mark Priestley of Stirling University to conduct an independent review of the events following the cancellation of the examination diet and make recommendations for the coming year. This will initially report within five weeks.
The OECD’s ongoing independent review of Curriculum for Excellence will be asked to include recommendations on how to transform Scotland’s approach to assessment and qualifications, based on global best practice.
Mr Swinney said: “These are exceptional times, and in exceptional times truly difficult decisions are made. In speaking directly to the young people affected by the downgrading of awards – the seventy-five thousand pupils whose teacher estimates were higher than their final award – I want to say this: I am sorry.
“I have listened and the message is clear. They don’t just want an apology, they want to see this fixed and that is exactly what I will now do. To resolve this issue all downgraded awards will be withdrawn. I am directing the SQA to re-issue those awards based solely on teacher or lecturer judgement.
“We now accept that the risk of undermining the value of qualifications is outweighed by a concern that young people, particularly from working class backgrounds, may lose faith in education and form the view that no matter how hard you work, the system is against you. Education is the route out of poverty for young people in deprived communities and we cannot risk allowing that view to take hold.
“The SQA will issue fresh certificates to affected candidates as soon as possible and, importantly, will inform UCAS and other admission bodies of the new grades as soon as practical in the coming days to allow for applications to college and university to be progressed.
“I would like to thank all of Scotland’s children, young people and adult learners for the incredible resilience they have shown throughout the COVID-19 epidemic. We are immensely proud of all that they have achieved. I hope that our pupils now move forward confidently to their next step in education, employment or training with the qualifications that teachers or lecturers have judged were deserved.
“We will look to learn lessons from the process to awarding qualifications this year that will help to inform any future actions. An Independent Review, led by Professor Mark Priestly of Stirling University, will look at events following the cancellation of the examination diet and given the urgency, I have asked for an initial report with recommendations on how we should go forward this coming year within five weeks.”
Mr Swinney faces a vote of No Confidence in parliament on Thursday.
Read Education Secretary John Swinney’s statement to Parliament
The Scottish Conservatives have called on the SNP government to support a “triple lock” of measures to protect young people at the centre of an exams ‘debacle’.
Pupils opened their National, Higher and Advanced Higher results this week – but an estimated 125,000 grades were lowered following moderation by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
As a result, thousands of students received lower grades than had been estimated by their teachers.
And critics say the methods used by under-fire education chiefs have disproportionately impacted on young people from Scotland’s poorest areas.
On the day pupil protests were held in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Lothian MSP Miles Briggs backed a three-point plan to restore public confidence in the system.
The plan sets out:
– a guaranteed turnaround of 14 days for appeals
– appeals to be based on the individual ruling out awards based on a school’s historic performance, demographic, location or SIMD ranking
– the option for every pupil to take an examination in the autumn if they are still unhappy with grades awarded.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “Thousands of pupils across Edinburgh and the Lothians have been badly let down by SNP Ministers during this debacle.
“It is clear to everyone that the policy to disproportionately downgrade the results of students from schools in less affluent areas is simply not fair.
“The current situation can not be allowed to stand and steps must be taken to allow pupils to get the results that they deserve.
“These steps, set out by the Scottish Conservatives, would allow students to have every chance to get their proper grades and move forward with their futures.”
Scottish Labour says John Swinney has failed Scotland’s school pupils and they are calling for his resignation.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “This is not a decision we took lightly. Motions of no confidence have been sparingly laid in the history of the Scottish Parliament.
“But in the days since it emerged that thousands of school students had been marked down because of their schools’ past performance, Swinney has failed to acknowledge the scale of the crisis, and he has failed to announce a credible plan for re-dressing it.”
When the results were announced this week, Fiona Robertson, SQA’s Chief Executive and Scotland’s Chief Examining Officer, said: “Everyone receiving their results today can have confidence that their achievements and hard work have been rewarded.
“In a short space of time and amidst uniquely challenging circumstances for everyone, the Scottish education system has come together to ensure that candidates in 2020 can be certificated. This is a strong set of results and they should feel very proud of their achievements. They can now progress with confidence, to continued education, training or employment.
We have:
Delivered fairness to learners, through a consistent, evidence-based approach to awarding, supported by an Equalities Impact Assessment and a Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment.
Ensured safe and secure certification of our qualifications, taking difficult decisions when needed, following public health advice; and
Maintained the integrity and credibility of our qualifications system, ensuring that standards are maintained over time, in the interests of learners, through judicious moderation of grades.
Full information on our approach to certification is being published today.
I would like to thank the thousands of teachers and lecturers, SQA co-ordinators, school and college staff, local authorities, professional associations and national organisations, who have worked together to provide us with their candidates’ estimated grades, without which we would not be able to issue certificates today.
I would also like to acknowledge my sincere appreciation to all SQA staff and appointees who have worked very hard to deliver.”
SCQF level
National Qualification
2020 Entries
2020 Attainment
2020Attainment rate
2019 Entries
2019 Attainment
2019 Attainment rate
SCQF 2
National 2†
2,015
1,518
75.3%
2,070
1,596
77.1%
SCQF 3
National 3†
21,802
19,947
91.5%
19,285
16,958
87.9%
Skills for Work†
30
30
100%
13
0
0.0%
SCQF 4
National 4†
103,625
94,228
90.9%
104,866
92,845
88.5%
Skills for Work†
4,084
3,219
78.8%
3,698
2,869
77.6%
SCQF 5
National 5*
300,344
243,572
81.1%
288,552
225,594
78.2%
Skills for Work†
10,345
8,860
85.6%
8,023
6,633
82.7%
SCQF 6
Higher*
185,844
146,643
78.9%
185,914
138,972
74.8%
Skills for Work†
223
170
76.2%
204
160
78.4%
SCQF 7
Advanced Higher*
23,570
20,010
84.9%
23,460
18,627
79.4%
Total
651,882
636,085
Scottish Baccalaureate*
152
116
76.3%
157
109
69.4%
* For National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher, which are graded, the attainment and attainment rate is based on Grade A-C attainment. The Scottish Baccalaureate attainment is based on the total number of passes (“Distinction” or “Pass” outcomes).
†For National 2 to National 4, and Skills for Work courses, which are ungraded, the attainment and attainment rate is based on entries which have resulted in a pass.
English
There were 46,626 entries at National 5 in 2020, (45,593 in 2019) with an A-C attainment rate of 87.6% (86.3% in 2019). At Higher level there were 36,205 entries (35,461 in 2019), with an A-C attainment rate of 76.6% (73.2% in 2019).
Mathematics
There were 41,141 entries at National 5 (41,586 in 2019), with an A-C attainment rate of 66.7%, (65.5% in 2019). At Higher level there were 19,160 entries (18,626 in 2019), with an A-C attainment rate of 72.3% (72.4% in 2019).
Applications of Mathematics
There were 10,430 entries at National 5, (4,458 in 2019) with an A-C attainment rate of 67.3% (58.5% in 2019).
Comparison of 2020 estimates versus prior attainment levels
The charts below provide A to C attainment rates for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher from 2016-2019, attainment rate estimates for 2020 and attainment results for 2020.
The A to C attainment rates in 2020 are:
At National 5, 243,572 or 81.1% (225,594 or 78.2% in 2019)
At Higher is 146,643 or 78.9% (138,972 or 74.8% in 2019), and
Advanced Higher is 20,010 or 84.9% (18,627 or 79.4% in 2019).
National 5
National 5 attainment % comparison20162017201820192020 Estimates2020 Results020406080100Attainment %JS chart by amCharts
Higher
Higher attainment % comparison20162017201820192020 Estimates2020 Results020406080100Attainment %JS chart by amCharts
National Progression Awards (NPAs), National Certificates (NCs) and SQA Awards
National Progression Awards (NPAs) and National Certificates (NCs)
Attainment figures for National Progression Awards (NPAs) and National Certificates (NCs) are also included. In total, 16,230 NPAs and 4,284 NCs have been achieved (13,136 NPAs and 4,873 NCs in 2019). 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.
SQA Awards
Attainment figures for SQA Awards are included in the statistics. In total, 31,428 have been achieved in 2020 (26,735 in 2019).
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.
Attainment
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
SCQF level 1
Awards
399
439
386
290
283
SCQF level 2
Awards
912
1,004
664
1,167
750
National Progression Awards
91
69
121
88
77
SCQF level 3
Awards
4,253
4,428
3,937
4,303
3,863
National Certificates
5
7
0
1
18
National Progression Awards
207
100
142
177
135
SCQF level 4
Awards
11,736
10,292
9,851
10,834
11,391
National Certificates
166
223
213
345
371
National Progression Awards
4,321
4,371
4,759
4,803
4,958
SCQF level 5
Awards
8,232
5,184
3,755
3,662
2,907
National Certificates
1,465
1,809
2,450
2,691
4,103
National Progression Awards
5,915
5,252
4,604
4,395
4,958
SCQF level 6
Awards
5,896
5,388
4,258
3,523
2,710
National Certificates
2,648
2,834
3,538
3,585
4,920
National Progression Awards
5,696
3,344
2,848
1,619
1,611
TOTAL
51,942
44,744
41,526
41,483
43,055
Skills for Work
Skills for Work courses – available across SCQF levels 3-6, are also included in the attainment statistics. In total, 12,279 Skills for Work courses have been achieved, (9,662 in 2019).
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, and 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.
The SQA’s full awarding methodology, Equality Impact Assessment and Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment reports have also been published in full as planned.
With exams cancelled because of coronavirus, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) downgraded many of the assessments made by teachers, bringing accusations of disproportionately affecting the results of pupils from schools in areas of deprivation which traditionally present fewer successful pupils for exams.
Education Secretary John Swinney,who now faces a vote of no confidence at Holyrood, has said he understands the concerns of pupils and he will address these concerns when he makes a statement to parliament on Tuesday.
School pupils across Scotland are receiving their results this morning. Around 138,000 students will find out their grades in Nationals, Highers and Advanced Higher courses.
This year’s results are based on estimates from their teachers after the Covid-19 pandemic forced exams to be cancelled for the first time in history.
Students who signed up for text or email alerts will receive their grades from 8am onwards, while certificates will arrive in the post over the course of today.
Today 138,000 learners have received their SQA results.
Education Secretary @JohnSwinney congratulates all learners on their achievements.
The @skillsdevscot helpline is open from 8am, advice is available on 0808 100 8000.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney has congratulated all learners who have today received their results.
With exams cancelled for the first time ever due to Coronavirus, young people are receiving qualifications based on a combination of teacher judgment and national moderation by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), which show that:
the National 5 pass rate was 81.1%
the Higher pass rate was 78.9%
the Advanced Higher pass rate was 84.9%
In 2019:
the National 5 pass rate was 78.2%
the Higher pass rate was 74.8%
the Advanced Higher pass rate was 79.4%
Deputy First Minister John Swinney met senior pupils at Stonelaw High School in South Lanarkshire to discuss their results and how they dealt with the challenge of learning during lockdown. He also took part in a video call on digital learning platform e-Sgoil with pupils from around Scotland to congratulate them on their results.
Mr Swinney said: “In the face of an incredibly tough few months for pupils and teachers, we can today celebrate the achievements of all learners. Young people have received awards that recognise their hard work and allow them to move onto the next stage in their lives.
“Scottish exams have never before been cancelled. I am immensely grateful to all teachers and lecturers who worked incredibly hard to assess achievement this year, and to the SQA for developing the certification model – without either, young people could not have received qualifications.
“There was a rise in pass rates at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher. While comparisons with previous years need to be considered carefully, given the disruption to learning this year this is a good set of results for our learners. I am pleased to see the number of skills based awards, that teach vital knowledge and experience valued by employers, rise by 18% to 64,221.
“This year’s results also show there has been a narrowing of the attainment gap at grades A-C between the most and least disadvantaged young people, which is now narrower this year for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher than last year, or indeed the average for the last four years.
“All exam systems rely on an essential process known as moderation to uphold standards. This ensures an A grade is the same in every part of the country, making the system fair for everyone, and across all years. As the national exams body, only the SQA can maintain the consistency and the integrity of our qualifications. This year, by necessity, the moderation model is different and has been subject to additional scrutiny.
“Teachers and lecturers applied their judgements against national standards and today’s data shows that three out of every four grade estimates were not adjusted by the SQA.
“133,000 entries were adjusted from the initial estimate, around a quarter of all entries. 6.9% of those estimates were adjusted up and 93.1% were adjusted down, with 96% of all adjusted grades changed by one grade.
“Without moderation, pass rates at grades A-C compared to last year would have increased by 10.4 percentage points for National 5, by 14 percentage points for Higher and by 13.4 percentage points for Advanced Higher – annual change never been seen in Scottish exam results. I know teachers and lecturers will always want the best for their pupils but I believe that teachers have acted professionally.
“I know that learners who did not achieve what they were expecting will be disappointed, however the SQA will be operating a free appeals process this year. The appeals process is an integral part of awarding this year, and will play an important role in giving schools and colleges the opportunity to present evidence in support of teacher and lecturer estimates.
“The SQA has ensured that sufficient resources are in place to support this process and priority will be given to learners who need their grades to meet a conditional university or college offer.
“This year has been exceptionally challenging but these robust processes mean we have upheld standards so that all learners can hold their heads up and move onto the next phase in their life, whether that be further study, employment or training.“
Detailed information on attainment statistics, and the SQA’s full awarding methodology, Equality Impact Assessment and Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment, is available from the Scottish Qualifications Authority
Over 8,000 pupils across Edinburgh received their results from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
This year there were no examinations due to the Covid-19 pandemic so schools were asked to submit estimated grades based on inferred attainment. The SQA then worked with the estimates and final grades were awarded.
Early indications are positive with pupils from City of Edinburgh Council schools once again making improvements in most areas compared to previous years.
A total of 41,553 resulted awards were certificated for 8,189 candidates (includes special schools, adults and mainstream secondary pupils) in over 88 subjects ranging from Accounting to Urdu.
Particular successes include passes (A-C grades) for National 5s of 79% (up 2 percentage points from last year) and Highers of 80% (up 4 percentage points from last year). For A-D grades, the success rate was 90% at National 5 and 93% for Higher – an increase of 2 and 3 percentage points respectively from last year.
The largest percentage increases were found at the following levels:
By the end of S4, 47% of the S4 roll achieved 3 or more passes at National 5 – a 4 percentage point improvement on last year and a 6 percentage point improvement from 2018.
By the end of S5, 61% of the S4 roll achieved 1 or more Higher awards (A-D) – a 2 percentage point improvement on last year. There was also a 2 percentage point increase for those achieving 3 or more Higher awards (A-D), from 38% to 40%.
By the end of S6, 67% of the S4 roll achieved 1 or more Higher passes (A-C) – a 1 percentage point improvement on last year and a 4 percentage point improvement since 2015. Similarly, 28% achieved 1 or more Advanced Higher passes (A-C) – a 1 percentage point improvement on last year and a 6 percentage point improvement from 2015.
Councillor Ian Perry, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, welcomed today’s results: “This was without doubt an extremely difficult and uncertain time for our young people due to the pandemic and the effect it has had on their learning.
“So it’s really encouraging to see that overall there have been improvements in most areas compared to previous years especially with the increase in passes for National 5s and Highers.
“Thanks must go to our dedicated teachers and staff who worked extremely hard in pulling together all the estimated grades for the SQA. Our young people should be very proud of themselves in what has been an extremely challenging year.”
Councillor Alison Dickie, Education Vice Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “At the start of 2020 no one could have imagined how the world of learning and teaching would be so dramatically changed.
“Our teaching staff are to be commended for their continuing commitment to delivering high quality learning experiences. Our young people are once again to be congratulated for all their hard work and successes over the past year, and their parents/carers for their support, under the most trying of circumstances.
“Let’s not forget there is no wrong pathway for our young people as everyone’s learner journey is different. School is about ensuring all our young people are able to fulfil their potential by attaining the highest level of achievements possible and by receiving the best possible experience.”
Additional information – analysis:
Results by end of S4
5 passes at National 5 or better – 47% (4 percentage points up on 2019, 8 percentage points up on 2015).
Results by end of S5*
1+ pass at Higher or better – 61% (2 percentage points up on 2019).
3+ passes Higher or better – 40% (2 percentage points up on 2019, 5 percentage points up on 2015)
5+ passes at Higher or better – 21% (1 percentage points up on 2019, 4 percentage points up on 2015)
*based on the percentage of S4 pupil roll.
Results by end of S6*
1+ pass at Higher or better – 67% (1 percentage point up on 2019, 4 percentage points up on 2015).
3+ passes Higher or better – 47% (2 percentage points down on 2019 – the first drop in six years)
5+ passes at Higher or better – 35% (1 percentage point down on 2019 – the first drop in six years)
1+ pass at Advanced Higher – 28% (1 percentage point up on 2019, 6 percentage points up on 2015).
It should be noted that the performance of this cohort locally and nationally showed a drop when in S4 (due to new examinations introduced for National 5), and in S5 (when new Higher examinations were introduced). It is therefore not unexpected to see a slight drop in two measures for the same cohort in S6.
*based on the percentage of S4 pupil roll.
Shaun Friel, head of Childline, said: “We know that for many young people, receiving exam results can be an extremely stressful experience with the pressure to get certain grades to secure college or university places.
“And, this year, some may be feeling the added strains of lockdown and the disappointment of not being able to do their best through sitting exams.
“So that young people do not feel overwhelmed as they receive their SQA results, it is so important they have someone there to listen to how they are feeling and to discuss their options, such as a friend, a parent, a teacher or even Childline.”
Children and young people can contact Childline about any worries by calling 0800 1111 or visiting the site. They can get advice from Childline about exam results here.
A group of Edinburgh College students recently wowed judges at the end of a week-long design challenge, tasking them to work alongside an Edinburgh-based design agency on a live brief for a real client.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) tasked students with creating a campaign to promote their new National Progression Award (NPA) in Creative Thinking to teachers and the parents and carers of pupils in Scottish secondary schools.
The students were split into seven different teams and paired with one of the design agencies involved in the project: Neish Design, Emperor, Amaze Realize, Whitespace, Union Direct, Campfire and Lewis. Each team spent a week coming up with a campaign that would best answer the project brief, before pitching their ideas to a panel of judges from the SQA.
Team Union Direct, made up of HND Graphic Design students Rachel Platts Smith, Gonzalo Cervilla, Balazs Hirth, Zoe Willis, Valentina Torella, and Ross McGrail were announced as the winners of this year’s competition for their ‘Creativity is possibility’ campaign that featured a number of promotional activities including a ‘box of possibilities’ that could be sent to secondary schools across the country.
The winning team has been invited to a meeting with representatives from the SQA, where they will discuss in more detail how their ideas will be used to take the promotional campaign forward.
Team Union Direct spokesperson and Edinburgh College student Rachel Platts Smith said: “We are very proud to be named the winners of this year’s competition.
“The key to our success was definitely teamwork – we all worked together right from the very start and knew how we wanted our concept to look and were all driven to make that idea work.
“We would like to thank our mentors at Union Direct who were there every step of the way and made this experience all the more enjoyable – we couldn’t have done it without them.”
Graphic Design lecturer Helena Good said: “The competition this year was outstanding, each and every one of our students should be very proud of their achievements. It’s so pleasing to see the excellent standard of work produced by our students – they are a credit to the College.
“The one-week design project gives students the opportunity to work on a live brief alongside an Edinburgh-based design agency, before presenting to a real client – providing them with an insight into what it’s like to work in this industry in the real world.”
Fiona Robertson, SQA Chief Executive said: “Creativity is a hugely important skill and that’s why the NPA in Creative Thinking is such an exciting development. I am thankful to all the students from Edinburgh College who provided an incredible range of ideas for promoting the qualification.”
Martin Boyle, Head of creative, Hospitality, and Sport at SQA, added: “It was a joy to ‘be the client’ for the HND Visual Communication students’ project. It was thrilling to see the students tackle the brief with such commitment, and creativity.
“The whole project has been a fantastic example of engaging creative education in practice, bringing together the college, students and industry to create something special.
“Of course, this isn’t just a theoretical exercise. We hope to be in a position to be able offer our NPA in Creative Thinking to schools and colleges across the country, and utilise the work of team Union Direct in our activities.
“The standard of work the students presented was genuinely exceptional. I look forward to hearing more about their progress, and I’m confident that there are some real stars in the making on the course.”
Entries and pass rates for National 5 have increased and Higher results in Science have improved according to annual SQA results.
In a set of results that reflect the continued high standards of the Scottish qualification system, the pass rate for National 5 increased by 0.7 percentage points to 78.2% and the pass rate at Higher decreased 2.0 percentage points to 74.8%. Continue reading John Swinney: “These are a strong set of results”
A free national helpline offering advice, information and support for young people and their parents has gone live, ahead of SQA results day. Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) free helpline will be open from 8am until 8pm today and tomorrow (Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 August) and from 9am until 5pm from 10 to 16 August. The number to call is 0808 100 8000.Continue reading Exam Results Helpline ready for calls
A unique partnership between a Craigroyston Community High School and a number of local employers from across the city has received special recognition from the Scottish Qualifications Authority. The scheme has been highly commended at the SQA Star Awards, lifting a trophy for Promoting Inclusion.Continue reading Pre-apprenticeships set Craigroyston pupils on the right career path
Exam results ‘a real success story’ – Cllr Paul Godzik
The waiting’s finally over for thousands of Edinburgh pupils (and their families!) as they receive those dreaded exam results today. For most, it’s been good news: candidates in Scotland’s capital have once again exceeded expectations and there have been notable improvements in several key measures.Continue reading Result! City pupils exceed expectations
