SQA figures highlight rich and poor divide

Figures published by Scotland ’s exam body have shown the extent to which pupils from the most deprived backgrounds had their results downgraded compared to those in wealthier areas.

Following the cancellation of this year’s exams due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a methodology was applied whereby grades estimated by teachers were downgraded based on criteria – including the historic performance of the school.

However concerns were raised about the fairness of the algorithm after it was revealed pupils in the most deprived areas were more likely to have their estimates down graded compared to those from the most affluent backgrounds.

Now, after a freedom of information request, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has published a breakdown of how the Higher grades at each school across Tayside and Fife were moderated.

The SQA moderation figures showed that before teacher estimates were accepted, 39.2% of all Higher sat Brae view Academy, Dundee, were adjusted down by the SQA.

The figures also show that 21.6% of Higher results at the school were adjusted from “pass” to “fail”.

Scottish Government data show that 47% of pupils at Braeview live in one of Scotland’s most deprived areas.

At Craigie High School, where more than 60% of pupils come from a deprived area, 29.2% of teacher estimates for Highers were downgraded.

Of these, 13.4% were downgraded from “pass” to a “fail”.

In comparison, Grove Academy, in the relatively prosperous suburb of Broughty Ferry, saw 16.2% Higher results downgraded – with 7.2% adjusted from “pass” to “fail”.

The Hi g h School of Dundee, the city’s only fee paying school, saw 13.4% of teacher estimates for Highers downgraded (5.4% from “pass” to “fail”.)

Both these figures were the lowest of all Dundee’s schools.

Responding to the SQA’s figures, a Dundee City Council spokesman said: “We are analysing exam data and we will report that to committee at a future date.”

At Arbroath Academy, where more than onequarter of pupils live in the most deprived areas, 29.8% of Higher results were downgraded by SQA.

Of these, 20.5% were modera ted from a “pass” to a “fail”. Only 0.8% of Highers were adjusted up.

At Monifieth High, 23.9% of Higher results were adjusted downwards by the SQA’s algorithm – 10.6% from a “pass’ to a “fail”.

A higher percentage of pupils also had their results moderated upwards, with the figures showing 2.2% of teacher estimates for Highers adjusted up.

Data from the Scottish Government show that fewer than 5% of pupils at Monifieth High live in one of the most deprived areas in Scotland.

At Levenmouth Academy, in Fife, where more than half of pupils live in one of Scotland’s most deprived areas, 37.7% of the Higher grades were moderated down.

Of these, 22.8% were adjusted from a “pass” to a “fail’” Only 1% of Higher results were moderated up.

In comparison, only 18.3% of Higher grades at Madras Co l lege , St Andrews, were downgraded – with 5.4% of the results falling from “pass” to “fail”.

However fewer pupils had their teacher estimates adjusted upwards when compared to Levenmouth Academy, with the figures showing only 0.8% of Higher grades increased.

According to government data, more than one-fifth of pupils who attend St John’s RC Academy in Perth live in deprivation.

Before teacher estimates were accepted, 30.7% of the school’s Higher results were downgraded, with 12.6% adjusted from “pass” to “fail”. Only 1% had grades amended up.

In comparison, Kinross High School – where just over 1% of pupils live in deprivation – 14.3% of Higher grades were adjusted down. Figures also show that of these, 6.8% were amended from “pass” to “fail”.

Moreover, a higher percentage of pupils – 2.9% at Kinross had their Higher grades amended upwards compared to St John’s.

Angus, Fife and Perth and Kinross councils were all contacted for comment.