Exam pupils hit new heights
Seven years of increasing success in schools
It was full marks for pupils who helped West Lothian achieve another set of excellent exam results this year. students around the county received text messages, e-mails and letters with the eagerly-awaited results on tuesday. and the hardworking youngsters helped their schools to record an amazing seventh year of exam improvement. Whitburn academy was just one school that saw even better results this year and pupils gathered to celebrate their success (left).
Hard- working pupils at West Lothian schools have recorded an amazing seventh year of exam improvement.
Scottish Qualifications Authority ( SQA) results were received by students on Tuesday, with pupils achieving better exam results than ever before.
Early indications show that the results from S5 pupils across West Lothian’s 11 secondary schools have improved across a number of key indicators at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 6, which includes Highers or equivalent qualifications.
Those achieving five or more passes at this level rose to 41 per cent and those with three or more passes rose to 58 per cent.
Executive councillor for education David Dodds said: “It’s another fantastic set of exam results for West Lothian and a just reward for all the hard work from pupils to achieve them. I’m delighted to see a record seventh consecutive year of improving exam results as we aim to do all we can to support our young people to succeed.”
Whitburn Academy pupils were among those who performed exceptionally well this year at Higher or equivalent level, with an 11 per cent increase in those achieving five or more passes and a 12 per cent increase in those achieving three or more passes.
Headteacher Tracey Louden said: “I am incredibly proud of the outstanding achievements of so many of our pupils.
“Not only am I delighted for our pupils, who are so deserving of their great results, I am also delighted for our staff too as they work tirelessly with our young people all year.”
Seventy-one per cent of S5 pupils in West Lothian now achieve one or more Higher or equivalent level qualification, an rise of 17 per cent since 2014. Those achieving three or more passes at this level have also risen to 58 per cent.
The number of S5 pupils achieving five or more Higher or equivalent level passes has more than doubled over the last five years to an impressive 42 per cent.
Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick added: “Whilst it’s important we celebrate those who have done well in their exams, we aim to support all our pupils to achieve their best regardless of their level in our schools.
“We recognise that not every young person is academically-minded and that’s why our schools offer a broad range of opportunities, such as vocational training, to help everyone achieve their full potential.
“For anyone who didn’t achieve the results they hoped for don’t panic. Help is available from a wide range of organisations.”
For information on options after exam results call Skills Development Scotland on 0808 100 8000, visit West Lothian’s college’s website at www. west- lothian. ac. uk or the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service at www.ucas.com.