A good year for results
All that hard work by pupils across the West Highlands and islands has paid off
A snapshot of the results for Argyll and Bute Council shows that every child who sat National 3 and 4 exams in 2018 passed, while 81.9 per cent of pupils sitting Advanced Highers achieved a pass, up 4.92 per cent on 2017, showing that overall attainment is rising. National 5 pass results decreased slightly by 1.24 per cent, to 79.86 per cent; but there was a rise in the number of Higher pupils passing their exams − 78.79 per cent, up 2.9 per cent on last year. And figures from the SQA also show that Argyll and Bute’s 2018 pass rate is better than the national average for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams. Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, lead councillor for education said: ‘Pupils and teachers can be proud of their efforts, with their success reflected in the results. I would like to pass on my congratulations to them all and to thank them for all of their hard work.
We are determined to do everything we can to ensure that our young people are given every chance to achieve success in their lives. ‘For those pupils who maybe didn’t get the exam results they hoped for, it’s important to remember that help is on hand. They should contact their school for support and advice.’ At The Highland Council, in S4, the percentage of pupils who achieved five-plus qualifications at National 5 grades A to D has increased by 1.5 per cent from last year. The percentage of pupils who achieved five qualifications at National 4 has decreased by less than one per cent. In S5, 13 per cent of pupils achieved five Highers in grades A to C, 29 per cent of pupils achieved three Highers in grades A to C and 49 per cent of pupils achieved one Higher in grades A to C. In S6, 527 pupils achieved grades A to D in Advanced Higher qualification. This is an increase of two per cent on last year. Sixty-six pupils achieved five Highers qualifications at grade A. Councillor Andrew Baxter, who chairs The Highland Council’s care, learning and housing committee, said: ‘I am pleased that the hard work of the students, their families and teachers has delivered positive results for the Highlands. Congratulations to them all.’ Per centages in Eilean Siar achieving National 5 are higher than the national figure; 83.39 per cent achieved National 5, whereas the national pass rate was 77.40 per cent. This also represents an improvement of one per cent in pass rates in Eilean Siar compared to 2017. Passes at Higher are in line with the national pass rate. 76.23 per cent in Eilean Siar achieved an A-C pass.
Advanced Higher (SCQF level 7) results show percentage passes in Eilean Siar have increased by 5.5 per cent compared to 2017. The Eilean Siar pass rate of 81.7 per cent is higher than the national pass rate of 80.5 per cent. Figures do not include attainment in vocational courses. National data published in March 2018, indicates that 35.1 per cent of learners in Eilean Siar achieved one or more vocational qualifications at SCQF level 5 or above, representing the highest level in Scotland. This represents an increase of 3.9 per cent over the previous year.