pupils from across the Borders receive their exam results today, Tuesday 5 August
Our Executive Member for Education, Youth Development and Lifelong Learning has paid tribute to the regions young people and has 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 2024-25 session, ahead of a fuller picture becoming available in September when other accreditation such as college courses, other qualifications and wider achievement awards are finalised in the data.
Councillor Julie Pirone, Executive Member for Education
“I’d like to congratulate all our young people today. The results achieved are testament to the remarkable resilience and continued dedication that our young people have demonstrated throughout the 24/25 school session - they should all be immensely proud of what they have achieved.
“It is important to remember that every pupil is different and will have their own ambition. For some, these results will be vital in getting a place at university, and for others they will be an important step towards a job, a Modern Apprenticeship, further education or continuing their next school year.
“Our secondary schools work extremely hard with the SQA and many other partners throughout the year and are committed to ensuring that every young person can fulfil their potential. It is therefore encouraging to see that our commitment to preparing our young people for their next steps in life continues to pay dividends, with an increasing number of them being able to leave education with higher levels of qualifications and attainment and move on to positive and sustained destinations. It is important to remember that there is no wrong path and what's important is that we help young people to arrive at a positive destination."
2025 exam figures
The total number of national qualifications sat across the Borders this year is 13,556, an increase on 2024. 6206 at National 5 (in line with 2024), 3813 at Higher (small increase) and 620 (small increase) at Advanced Higher.
These set of results are not the totality of qualifications by our young people in 2025, and a further update will be given at the Education Sub-Committee meeting in October.
Schools continue to improve the curriculum offer and accredit a broad range of subjects and qualifications at the more challenging SCQF Level 5 and 6 award, with 2917 young people gaining qualifications at SCQF Levels 2-4. The overall pass rate (A-C) for S4 pupils at National 5 in 2024 has remained consistent with our performance in 2024 at 82 percent. The S5 attainment at Higher is greater than 2024 at 80 percent.
In terms of positive destinations, Scottish Borders remains in the top quartile nationally, with an increase from last year to 97 percent of young people achieving a positive and sustained destination. This is the highest percentage over the last five years.
Of the young people who sat examinations in May 2025 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
- 96 percent of S4 achieved a National 5 English award
- 90 percent of S4 achieved a numeracy award
- 84 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 and from the Skills Development Scotland helpline on 0808 100 8000. This is open from 8am on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 August and from 9am until 5pm on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 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.
Further information
Images from Peebles High School are available on our Flickr page
Headteacher quotes are available on our website