Media release: Moray pupils celebrating exam success

MORE than 2,000 pupils in Moray will receive their exam results today (Tuesday 6 August), ending a nervous wait for pupils and parents.

Schools in Moray have supported young people through 20,447 courses in the last academic year, with an overall pass rate of 83 per cent across the senior phase.

The pass rate at National 5 English for Moray’s S4 students is at its highest ever, with a 91 per cent achievement level, and National 5 Maths continues to present a positive pass rate of 74 per cent.

This school year saw revised Higher qualifications implemented, which brought a change in assessment structure and, for some courses, a change to subject content, with 20 students achieving five ‘A’ grades in their Highers.

Individual schools have shown impressive results: attainment at S5 is positive at Elgin High School; S4 attainment is particularly strong at Keith Grammar School, with the performance the best in a number of years; Speyside High School has a strong S6 performance at achievement of three and five Highers, as well as at Advanced Higher level.

Across S4, 82 students achieved five ‘A’ grades at National 5 level, most notably at Elgin Academy where 25 pupils achieved five or more National 5 qualifications at ‘A’ grade.

Moray Council’s head of Schools and Curriculum Development, Vivienne Cross, said these results marked another year of success for Moray pupils.

“This has been achieved through hard work, dedication and our young people challenging themselves, and I commend them for their efforts.

“As ever, we are committed to helping our young people achieve their ambitions, and for some this may mean reconsidering the path they want to take after receiving today’s results. There are opportunities for this, and school staff will be able to guide our learners through their options.

“We’ll continue to work in partnership with our senior school leaders, business partners, the college and Skills Development Scotland to ensure that our young people are given every opportunity to raise their awareness of local growth sectors so that they can continue to learn, live and work in Moray.”

Chair of Moray Council’s Children & Young People’s Services Committee, Cllr Sonya Warren, said there is “no wrong path” for Moray pupils.

“No matter the results today, there is no wrong career path and we’re joining Developing the Young Workforce’s campaign to showcase this. We’ll have staff in schools today to speak to pupils about their next steps, and Skills Development Scotland are running their annual exam results helpline.

“Thanks to the teaching and support staff in our secondary schools, to parents, carers and our pupils for their hard work in achieving in their studies this year.”

Students or parents who have any queries or concerns about their results or their certificate should contact their school directly in the first instance.

The Skills Development Scotland results helpline (0808 100 8000) will be open 8am until 8pm on 6 – 7 August and from 9am until 5pm on 9 – 15 August to provide careers and employment advice and help. SDS staff will also be on hand at their office at 232 High St, Elgin where face-to-face advice is available.

The SQA Candidate Advice Line is also available from 6 until 9 August for help and support on 0345 279 1000 and customer@sqa.org.uk.

UCAS can be contacted by telephone on 0371 468 0468 , by email enquiries@ucas.ac.uk or via their website www.ucas.com.

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Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.

MEDIA RELEASE issued by Moray Council. You too can share your stories (aka press or media releases), on this site. Email here for more information.

Contact: Peter Jones

Email: peter.jones@moray.gov.uk