MAKING HISTORY
Class of 2020 results ‘positive’ in year of cancelled exams
School pupils from across South Lanarkshire received their SQA results this week without sitting a final exam.
And early indications show overall results are “positive” according to the authority’s executive director for education Tony Mcdaid.
Mr Mcdaid said: “This year has, of course, been an unprecedented one because of the public health crisis and it presented a very unique and challenging set of circumstances.
“I want to take this opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our young people across South Lanarkshire after many months and years of study.”
In a flurry of texts and emails on Tuesday, young people across South Lanarkshire received the news they’d been waiting for as they learned their grades for Scotland’s first exam-free year.
For South Lanarkshire’s executive director for education, Tony Mcdaid, it’s a familiar feeling having witnessed a number of pupils going through the range of emotions results day brings.
However, results day 2020 has been very different after everything changed in March.
Describing the once-in-alifetime experience, Mr Mcdaid said:“this year has, of course, been an unprecedented one because of the public health crisis and it presented a very unique and challenging set of circumstances, particularly for those sitting exams.
“Because of this our schools submitted predicted grades to the Scottish Qualifications Authority and today our young people will be finding out their results.
“Early indications are that overall results are positive.”
Most pupils were awarded the grades their teachers felt they earned throughout the academic year after it was cut short in March.
“Today, and over the next few days and weeks, I want to take this opportunity along with our schools to celebrate the achievements of our young people across South Lanarkshire after many months and years of study,” Mr Mcdaid added.
“It is important to recognise that the traditional examination courses and exam results are only one part of what is known as the senior phase of education, where we recognise and support young people to follow individual learning pathways, which lead to success in a range of awards, like the Duke of Edinburgh and qualifications in other areas which provide entry to the world of work, modern apprenticeships, further education, skills for work courses, digital learning and other individual and customised learning pathways.
“These achievements are a testament to the diligence and hard work of pupils and their teachers, not forgetting the support provided by parents and carers, which all help to demonstrate that young people do have high ambitions and are achieving success.
“I would encourage families, communities and the media to recognise the positive contribution that our young people make to society and that we all take this opportunity celebrate their individual achievements and to continue to support them on the next step of their learning journey.
“Their journey may be to continue on at school, move into the world of work, college, niversity or training.”
For those who didn’t quite get the grades they were hoping for, Mr Mcdaid insisted there will be a positive next step.
He said: “In instances, where any young person may not get the grades or qualifications they set out to achieve, I fully understand they will be disappointed. However, I would like to reassure them that support and guidance is on hand to help them to talk this through and to build on their achievements in a positive way.
“Anyone looking for help or support can contact Skills Development Scotland on 0808 100 8000 or go to myworldofwork. co.uk.”