Tobermory pupils continue to excel

Pupil grades at Tobermory High School have shown a yearon-year increase – including a 100 per cent Advanced Higher pass rate – for the second year in a row.

The school’s National 5 pass rate increased from 92 per cent in 2020 to 94.6 per cent in 2021, while the Higher pass rate went from 96.9 per cent to 97.3 per cent.

Head teacher Richard Gawthrope told The Oban Times: ‘I am delighted with these results which reflect the exceptional effort that has been put in by the pupils and the whole staff team. I thank everyone involved in supporting the pupils to help them achieve these results. I would also like to wish all of our leavers the very best of luck as they move onto a range of positive destinations. It has been a pleasure to welcome back all the students this week and seeing them so keen to continue their learning journey.

At Oban High School, the Higher pass rate decreased slightly from 87.5 per cent to 87.4 per cent.

The National 5 pass rate went from 84.3 per cent in 2020 to 82.4 per cent this year, while the Advanced Higher rate went from 97.3 per cent to 89.8 per cent.

Tiree High School saw its Higher pass rate increase, from 60 per cent in 2020 to 78.6 per cent in 2021. The National 5 rate went from 90.6 per cent to 72.5 per cent, while for the second year in a row, the school presented no candidates at Advanced Higher level.

All three schools retained their 100 per cent pass rate at National 4 level, which applied to all 10 council secondary schools in Argyll and Bute for the fifth year in a row.

The council’s 10 secondary schools returned pass rates above the national average when results were released last week.

A school-by-school breakdown of results was made available for a virtual meeting of the authority’s community services committee yesterday, August 25.

For the second year running, the exam diet did not take place due to the pandemic, with grades awarded based on teacher estimates and previous evidence.

Council executive director Douglas Hendry said in the report: ‘The council received Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) awards for all pupils entered for formal qualifications in session 2020/21 in August 2021.

‘This provided comprehensive information on the outcome of the alternative certification model performance for all pupils across each of the ten Argyll and Bute secondary schools.’

Following the cancellation of the formal SQA examination diet due to Covid-19, schools submitted provisional results relating to each presentation and level made on behalf of each young person.

The report presents an update to elected members on the authority and school outcomes at National 4 (pass only) and at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher awards (A-C) and (A-D) based on provisional results as outlined above.

Mr Hendry added: ‘The 2021 presentation pass rates at school and authority level cannot be used for comparison with previous years’ outcomes as the method of awarding grades is completely different.

‘Our young people have the opportunity to be presented at different levels throughout their chosen senior phase pathway.

‘This means a young person can undertake subjects at different levels of qualifications therefore, the outcomes include young people across S4, S5 and S6.’