STUDENTS BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF
FINALLY THERE IS JUSTICE AND I CAN PURSUE MY CHOSEN CAREER
OLIVIA Biggart, above, achieved all As in her Higher prelims and expected to achieve the same in the final results. The 16-year-old, from Motherwell, Lanarkshire, has also been studying for the University Clinical Aptitude Test (Ucat) so that she could study medicine. The SQA downgraded her results to two As and three Bs. Olivia believed this happened because her school is in a deprived area. She will now be able to apply for medical school in October. Yesterday, she spoke of her relief at the news teachers’ grades will now be recognised. She told The BBC: ‘I am over the moon because finally there is justice and I can pursue my career. I am happy with what he said – and glad he apologised to us.’ She added: ‘The only thing I didn’t like is that students who were over-graded will keep their results but that will all even out over time. ‘But overall I am happy. I don’t think [John Swinney] had many options. They couldn’t reassess every single candidate’s results. My dream to become a doctor is still alive.’
THEY SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO OUR TEACHERS
FRANGAG NicDhòmhnaill, 16, from Acharacle, Argyll, a fifth-year student at Ardnamurchan High School, had expected five Higher As but received two As and three Bs. She had achieved four As and a B in her prelims.
Frangag, pictured left, said: ‘I’m really happy with the announcement today. Hopefully I will now get what I got in my prelims.
‘It’s good they are going to review the results that were downgraded but I think they should also review those that were upgraded.
‘I’m hoping I will get straight As which will allow me to apply to study veterinary medicine at university.
‘I’m hoping I will find out about my grades soon. They should have gone with the teachers’ estimates in the first place.
‘The teachers are professionals, they should have listened to them.’
IT WAS NEVER A FAIR WAY TO JUDGE US
DREW Skinner, 17, a pupil at St Mungo’s Academy in Glasgow, wrote a damning, now viral, letter to Education Secretary John Swinney after her grades were lowered by the SQA. Instead of the expected two As and three Bs for her Highers, she received an A, B and three Cs. Following Mr Swinney’s announcement yesterday, Drew, right, from Dennistoun, Glasgow, spoke of her relief. She said: ‘It was absolutely amazing. I wasn’t sure what to expect because I felt like all I had been reading was rumours about what he might say. ‘It was a shock. A few days ago they were still stubborn in what they were saying. I’m relieved. ‘There was a big difference between what I was predicted to get and what the SQA awarded me. Hopefully I will get the results I was predicted now. ‘A week between the results coming out and this announcement can be seen as a short or a long time. They say the results should be out for August 21. People will get the results in time for university. ‘I don’t think it was ever fair to have judged people’s academic ability based on where they live.’