WHAT A RESULT
Schools’best ever year
Hard working school pupils have achieved their best ever set of exam results this year.
The youngsters have surpassed last year’s figures to record West Lothian’s most successful set of Higher results in 2016.
West Lothian pupils achieved a total of 5855 Highers in 2016, an increase of 4.8 per cent from 2015.
Thousands of pupils received their Scottish Qualifications Authority ( SQA) exam results through the post or by text or e-mail on Tuesday.
And while the full results are still to be collated and analysed, early indications show that the amount of pupils achieving five and three Highers in West Lothian have both risen by two per cent to 22 per cent and 40 respectively.
Armadale Academy and Whitburn Academy have both shown significant increases while Broxburn Academy and Inveralmond Community High School in
Livingston continue to build on their strong showing last year.
Lawrence Fitzpatrick, executive councillor for education, said: “Congratulations to all the students on their hard work in their Nationals and Highers, and thank you to all the families, carers and teachers who have supported them.
“It’s fantastic to see exam results continuing to improve in West Lothian, with our best ever set of exam results again this year. Progress is also being made to help our lowest performing pupils achieve more than ever before as well. Help is also available for anyone who didn’t achieve the results they hoped, so please don’t panic and seek advice from organisations such as West Lothian College, University and College Admission Scheme and Skills Development Scotland, who all offer with help and support.”
Council leader John McGinty said: “I’m delighted to see West Lothian’s exam results continuing to improve. For three consecutive years now, West Lothian has achieved our best ever results as we focus on our key priorities of education and employment.
“This success is down to hard work and dedication by the pupils and it’s vital we play our part to support their achievement by giving them the best possible platform for learning.
“West Lothian has one of the best school estates in the country and we are continuing to improve the educational environment for our children by improving or building new schools where required.
“The planned new £32m West Calder High School will be this council’s largest ever single investment in education, and the new £7.5m Southdale Primary in Armadale will open later this month.
“We are also investing in improving the school broadband network across West Lothian to ensure our children have all the right tools to aid their learning in the digital age.”
A wide range of advice is available for pupils looking to discuss their results further.
This week school staff will be available after the exam results are released to offer advice and help, particularly for pupils who intend to continue in school education.
Skills Development Scotland offer careers advice by contacting the special helpline on 0808 100 8000 or visit thr Skills Development Scotland Centre, Cairngorm House, Almondvale Boulevard, Livingston, which is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Information from Universities and Colleges Admissions Ser vi ce (UCAS) is also available at www.ucas.com.
The success is down to hard work John McGinty