Pupils and teachers praised for SQA attainment following return to exams format

10/08/2022
Pupils from Aberdeen Grammar School, St Machar Academy and Oldmachar Academy with Councillors Martin Greig and Jessica Mennie

SQA exam results released on Tuesday 9 August reveal that young people in Aberdeen schools should be very proud of their achievements.

The results indicate an overall improvement in comparison to 2019, the last time pupils sat exams before the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic with an increase in pass rates compared with that year. 

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The results also showed not only that more pupils are presenting for exams but that there is an increased number of presentations per pupil from 4.65 per pupil in 2019 to 4.87 per pupil in 2022. This includes presentations at Nat 5 where there have been significantly more presentations this year with the highest attainment levels since 2015 under an exam diet.  Attainment at Nat 5 is in broadly line with national average pass rates.

Attainment at Higher is 2.5% better than in 2019 and the highest rate recorded since the current qualification was introduced in 2015 under an exam diet.  Attainment at Higher and Advanced Higher is broadly in line with the national pass rate.

Councillor Martin Greig, Education Operational Delivery Convener, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone on their efforts this year.”

“Our education service kept schools open throughout Covid. This required considerable organisational skills and generous support from staff including teachers who are usually deployed in strategic roles. They deserve acknowledgement, respect and thanks for keeping classrooms open and functioning; this did not happen everywhere in Scotland.”

“The young people have been patient and resilient through a challenging time, so the results reflect strong personal commitments in an exceptional period. It is good to recognise and appreciate what they have achieved when their educational experience has been affected by the pandemic.” 

Vice Convener, Councillor Jessica Mennie, said: “My congratulations go out to all our pupils, teaching and support staff for all their efforts his year and we really look forward to seeing our young people going on to positive destinations and career pathways.”

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