Western Isles Young People Receive SQA Results

09 August 2023 at 09:14:15

Young people across the Western Isles have received the results of National Qualifications from the Scottish Qualifications Authority that were undertaken earlier this year.  The Comhairle would like to recognise and congratulate the effort, commitment and achievement of all our young people following the significant number of successful qualifications and other awards confirmed by SQA today.  

Across National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses, the rate of A-C passes achieved in the Western Isles was 78.8%, from a total of 2,366 presentations at these levels. The equivalent rate of passes across Scotland for the same awards was in the region of 77%. Whilst we recognise continuing very good performance at National 5 and Higher this year that remained above the national average, a reduction in passes at Advanced Higher will be analysed by our schools and associated courses and programmes will be reviewed for 2024.

Summarised Exam Results:

In addition to the above examination results, there were 441 further presentations for awards at National 2, 3 and 4, all of which were successfully achieved by learners.

As well as success in academic assessment being shared today, the Comhairle recognises and celebrates the many achievements of our pupils, in areas of applied learning, sport, culture, heritage and community service in the last year. A key measure of the success of our education provision is capacity for pupils to go on to positive destinations after they leave school, equipped for the next step in their journey. Comhairle schools are able to report some of the highest positive post-school outcomes in Scotland with 97.1% of our leavers continuing to be in a positive destination three months after leaving school.

Chairman of the Education, Skills and Children's Services Committee, Cllr Paul Finnegan, said:

"Today, we recognise the many achievements of the pupils across the Western Isles that sat exams in 2023 I congratulate all that achieved success in today's results. It was a year that saw the continuing legacy of the pandemic as well as other disruption to education but our pupils continued to excel and, for another year, performed above the national average in many qualifications.   

Donald Macleod, Chief Officer for Education & Children's Services also said:

"I want to congratulate and recognise the achievement of all our learners that received awards. Today's successes are the result of hard work and commitment of our learners and school staff throughout another unique and challenging year. We are here to provide help and support for any young people who didn't get the results they wanted today. Our staff will be on-hand to provide direct support to learners as well as being able to access the SQA and SDS national helplines."  

Results Helpline

We understand that some pupils may not have received the results that had been hoped for today and our school staff are available to provide support and guidance. As well as contacting schools directly, pupils can also seek advice and help in the following ways:

• SDS National Helpline on 0808 100 8000. 
• SQA Candidate Advice Line on 0345 279 1000 
• DYW No Wrong Path Campaign 
• My World of Work Facebook
• My World of Work Twitter

Drop-in Support Sessions

Stornoway

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Developing the Young Workforce Outer Hebrides, Skills Development Scotland and UHI Outer Hebrides will be in Stornoway Town Hall on 8th and 9th August from 12pm to 4pm to discuss options for pupils who have received their exam results.

Lionacleit

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Developing the Young Workforce Outer Hebrides will be in Lionacleit Education Centre on 8th & 9th August from 12pm to 4pm to provide advice and support for pupils.