Increase in qualifications handed out to pupils

More than 3,000 pupils across North Ayrshire have been praised by the local authority after an increase was recorded in qualifications awarded from last year.

- STEWART MCCONNELL

Nearly 3,200 senior pupils across North Ayrshire received their exam results ahead of the new term.

With a total of more than 14,500 qualifications being awarded to pupils this year, early analysis of the results from North Ayrshire Council shows that they continue to achieve success at a range of levels in schools across the authority.

The total number of qualifications awarded to S4 candidates has gone up since last year.

Just under 79 per cent of S4 pupils gained at least one National 5 qualification at grades AC, and over 300 S4 pupils walked away with at least seven National 5 qualifications or better.

Across 38 subjects this year, there were almost 4,100 Highers and Advanced Highers awarded to just over 1,400 candidates in S5 and S6.

The pass rate for Higher has increased on last year, and the average number of awards at these levels gained per pupil has remained consistent compared to last year.

Further analysis of this year’s attainment is ongoing to provide the most comprehensive report on the attainment levels of all school leavers in North Ayrshire.

This analysis will be presented to the council's Cabinet later in the session as the council continue to explore how we can drive even further improvement.

SQA results day, while hugely significant, does not present the complete picture of the attainment of our young people.