Monifieth High pupils, from left, Ben Ramsay, Erin Miller, Milan Zadworny, Yusuf Al-dabbagh, Elias Aoubala, Sara Cathro and Emily Lynch celebrate receiving their exam results yesterday. Picture: Mhairi Edwards.

Many begin to plan for their futures after nervous wait for grades to be revealed is over

Pupils from across Tayside were among the thousands of students in Scotland who received their SQA exam results yesterday.

A number who have finished fourth and fifth year gathered at Monifieth High School to celebrate their hard work as they plan ahead for their future.

Among the successful students was 17-year-old Ben Ramsay from Monifieth who gained straight A passes in English, history, biology, chemistry and religious, moral and philosophical studies.

He is hoping to study politics or law at Dundee or Edinburgh University when he completes his sixth year at school.

He said: “I was really nervous about getting my results. I had a very sleepless night but am relieved now, it is a massive weight off my shoulders.”

Elias Aoubala, 17, from Dundee, was over the moon with his results which he hopes will enable him to study aerospace engineering at either Glasgow or Edinburgh University.

He gained straight A passes in Higher human biology, chemistry, maths, English and geography during his fifth year.

In October Elias successfully gained a place on the Arkwright Scholarship which provides a mentoring service and additional tutoring and support for aspiring engineers.

Fellow fifth year pupil Erin Miller, 16, from Monifieth, also got straight As in Higher English, maths, history, human biology and chemistry.

She said: “I don’t know what I want to do. I think I will go to university but don’t know what course to do.”

There was good news for Duncan Boath, 18, of Airlie, who finished sixth year at Webster’s High School.

He had a conditional place to study business and marketing at Napier Edinburgh University.

He sat Higher photography, PE and maths and gained an A, B and C pass respectively, securing his university place.

He said: “I am really chuffed and relieved.”

At St John’s RC Academy in Perth, 16-year-old Lauren Corcoran was delighted to get four As and a B.

“I thought the exams were tough and I didn’t know what to expect today,” she said.

“I was just hoping to pass everything, so I’m really pleased.

“I’m hoping to go on to do something with maths, but I’ve still to make up my mind.”

Niamh Mccall, 15, passed all her subjects and achieved an A in PE.

She said: “I’ve been nervous about today. I know I could have received my results by text, but I thought that was a terrible way to find out.”

Niamh said she was keen to pursue a career in sports.

Sean Hagney, head teacher at St John’s, said: “Today is about celebrating the achievements of our pupils and congratulating them on all the hard work they have put in to their studies.

“They should all feel very proud.”

Three sixth year pupils at Dundee High School chose to receive their results via text this year, claiming it took the “stress” out of waiting for the postie to arrive.

Caitlin Mitchell, 18, achieved three A grades in Advanced Higher maths, statistics and Spanish. She said she was delighted with her results and was moving to Edinburgh to study maths.

Nicoll Butter picked up three B grades in Advanced Higher chemistry, biology and English and will study medicine at Aberdeen University.

Classmate Asad Jaffervhoy gained four A grades in chemistry, biology, maths and economics and will also train to become a doctor, at Edinburgh University.

More than 60% of F5 pupils at Dundee High School achieved straight A awards.

The number of Dundee City Council pupils achieving one Higher grade A-C increased this year, with 651 S5 pupils achieving this.

Director of children and families services Paul Clancy said: “Young people across Dundee worked extremely hard to prepare for these exams.

“I would like to congratulate them on their achievements and thank our school staff for their efforts, and our parents, carers and families for all the support they provide for their young people.”

The Skills Development Scotland’s exam results helpline is open from 8am-8pm today and from 9am-5pm from tomorrow until August 15, call 0808 100 8000.

Careers advisers are on hand to help young people who have done better than anticipated or who may not have received the results they were hoping for.