Lomond School goes from strength to strength

Lomond School is once again celebrating another outstanding SQA performance, reflecting the hard work, determination and dedication of pupils and staff during what has been a challenging year.

The school achieved its highest ever pass rate at Higher and Advanced Higher, far exceeding the national averages of 87.3 per cent and 90.2 per cent. At National 5 the school maintained its pass rate of 98 per cent. Two new records were achieved at Higher with an outstanding 76 per cent A grades and 90 per cent of Higher awards gaining an A or B.

Principal, Mrs Johanna Urquhart, said: ‘Given the challenges of the last year and a half, I am thrilled beyond words that our pupils have achieved so highly this academic year in the face of such adversity. I was confident, given the high quality academic and pastoral support at Lomond that our pupils would achieve the results they so richly deserve.’

Saskia Miller from Oban, who is leaving Lomond School to study Psychology and Sociology at Edinburgh Napier University said: ‘I joined Lomond in S4 and immediately felt part of the family. The smaller class sizes and focus on achievement really helped me to gain an excellent set of results. I enjoyed living in the boarding house and making friends from all over the world, but being able to come home at the weekend meant I could keep in touch with my family and friends in Oban.’

Saskia’s mother, Dr Anushka Miller said: ‘As parents we are very grateful for what Lomond School has done for Saskia. She really learned how to learn, developed new aspirations and broadened her horizon. She also became very independent and going on to university will be no great shock for her, or us. The fact that the school picked her up on Sundays and brought her back to Oban on Fridays made it much easier to send her to boarding school and still feel like she lived at home. Lomond School was a good choice for Saskia.’

Almost three quarters of all S5 pupils achieved five or more Higher awards, with the pass rate, A-B passes and A passes increasing significantly from last year. Almost 40 per cent of the year gained five or more Highers all at A grade.

In Advanced Highers 70 per cent were achieved at A grade, showing the quality of passes has improved considerably. The S6 cohort leave to join universities as diverse as: the Sorbonne in Paris, University College London, Edinburgh University, University of Glasgow and Glasgow School of Art, studying a range of courses.

Academic Depute, Claire Chisholm said: ‘Although extremely impressive, our results only convey a little of what was achieved by Lomond pupils this year. The real story is in the hard work, resilience and adaptability shown by our boarding and day pupils, our parents, and our staff.’

Principal, Mrs Johanna Urquhart, said: ‘I am particularly delighted for our departing S6 pupils. They leave Lomond with some record-breaking results, but with so much more besides: they have confidence; life experience and a range of skills and qualities which cannot be measured in SQA terms.’