Pupils from across Renfrewshire opened the envelope on their futures this morning as the results for the previous year were revealed.
Students from schools, colleges and training centres have been finding out how they did in their National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses and for some, what that means for their next steps.
Certificates began arriving in the post on Tuesday morning, although many pupils also signed up to receive their results by text or email.
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It’s the first time in two years that end of year exams have been sat, following cancellations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. During that time results were based on estimates provided by teachers and then moderated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
Renfrewshire Council say that this year the overall results for S4 pupils, at National 4 and National 5 level, are similar to those during the pandemic, and higher than the results from the last exam sittings in 2019.
In S5, attainment has increased in almost all indicators from 2019. Over a third of pupils achieved three or more awards at Higher level.
Whilst, a quarter of S6 pupils achieved a pass at Advance Higher level.
Alan Dick, headteacher at Park Mains High School in Erskine, is celebrating the best set of S4, National 5 results that the school has ever achieved. He said: “We are absolutely delighted with our results this year. It is what our young people deserve. They have worked incredibly hard over the last few years and have shown the resilience, dedication and commitment we have come to expect from all our pupils.
“Staff and parents have played an exceptionally important role in supporting our pupils through what has been such a disruptive period.”
One of those pupils praised by headteacher Dick was Lucy Morrell, 16, who got five As in her Highers, including an advanced higher in music, earning her a place in the Junior Conservatoire where she will go every Saturday from September.
“I'm very musical and I do my own compositions and my dream job would be a film and tv composer. Music is definitely my favourite subject and due to my good results, I can try and earn a baccalaureate in creative arts. I will be earning the grades I need here but also working with people from other schools too.” Said Lucy.
Jack Kennedy, 16, also of Park Mains, got 5 As and 2 Bs in his National 5s. He said: “I wasn’t expecting these results, but I put in the work, and it’s paid off. I want to get into aeronautical engineering or physiotherapy. I’ve not fully decided, but definitely something engineering-based or sport-based.”
Joshua Wray, 17, achieved five As in his Highers. He said: “I’m very into science. I am thinking about neurobiology or immunology, obviously I need chemistry for that, but I am still veering towards engineering paths as well. I’ve got my maths and physics for that, and advanced maths would boost me a little bit for that. Obviously, I am a very science-y person.”
Natalie Johnston, got 6 As and 1 B in her National 5s and says she wants to work in Germany or Switzerland.
“Art and German are my favourite subjects. When I leave school, it’s either between languages or art as a career path. I think I’m going to pick up another language, Spanish, in sixth year.” Said the 16-year-old.
Councillor Emma Rodden, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, said: “I want to congratulate all our senior pupils. Studying for exams is hard, sitting exams is harder and waiting for the results is probably the hardest!
“The pressure on young people today is enormous and it’s important that we take this opportunity to celebrate the achievements of all our pupils. Many will have achieved everything they wanted but, for some, there will be disappointment. I would urge anyone who didn’t get the results they were expecting to speak to our schools for advice. There are many ways to achieve career ambitions.
“I would like to wish all our pupils the very best for the future, whatever path they have chosen, whether they are returning to school or moving onto college, university, an apprenticeship or a job.”
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