Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning has paid tribute to the regions young people as they receive confirmation of their exam results today.
She has also encouraged them all to continue to push to reach their full potential in whatever they do next.
Today’s results are the first snapshot of attainment and achievement for the 2021/22 session, with a fuller picture available later in the year when other accreditation such as college courses and wider achievement awards are finalised.
Councillor Leagh Douglas, Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning
“The results achieved today are testament to the remarkable flexibility and resilience that our young people have demonstrated through the challenges of the last two years and they should all be immensely proud of what they have achieved. Whether the results received today are a step towards a job, a Modern Apprenticeship, further education, university or to further study in their next school year, it is important to remember that every pupil is different with their own ambitions and aims.
“Our teaching staff have worked extremely hard with the SQA to ensure the consistent smooth running of the national qualifications and are committed to ensuring that every young person is able to fulfil their potential.
The total number of exams sat across the Borders this year remains in line with the previous year at 13,000, with approximately 3,616 at Higher, 689 at Advanced Higher and the highest ever number of National 5 at 6,305.
Due to the pandemic, this is the first year since 2019 when National Qualifications have run as normal therefore it is not appropriate to make year on year comparisons due to alternative models in 2020 and 2021.
Schools continue to accredit a broad range of subjects and qualifications at the more challenging SCQF Level 5 and 6 award, with 2,400 young people gaining qualifications at SCQF Levels 2-4. The overall pass rate (A-C) for S4 pupils at SCQF Level 5vin 2022 has remained consistent with our performance in 2019 at 82.1 percent. The S5 attainment at SCQF Level 6 remains in line with 2019 at 80 percent.
In terms of positive destinations, Scottish Borders remains in the top quartile nationally, with an increase from last year to 95.49 percent of young people achieving a positive and sustained destination.
Of the young people who sat examinations in May 2022 in the core skills areas of Literacy and Numeracy, more young people than ever are attaining success:
- 97 percent of S4 achieved a literacy award
- 95 percent of S4 achieved a National 5 English award
- 92 percent of S4 achieved a numeracy award
- 87 percent of S4 achieved a National 5 award in Maths
For anyone who is disappointed in any of their results pupil support information is available on our website and from the Skills Development Scotland helpline on 0808 100 8000. This is open from 8am-8pm on 10 and 11 August and 9am-5pm on weekdays until 18 August. Advisers can provide access to information on UCAS course vacancies at college and universities across the UK, Confirmation and Clearing, advice about Modern Apprenticeships and employment and training opportunities. Additional information is available on the SQA website and at My World of Work.
We joined pupils at Galashiels Academy opening their results, images can be found on our Flickr.