Shetland pupils set high standards in exams once again

Pupils in Shetland once again set very high standards in their exams this year, with a slight increase in the best Standard Grade results and a slight fall in Higher passes on last year.

More than 600 pupils received their results today by email, text or post. An analysis released by SIC children’s services showed achievement in these key exams remained well above the Scottish average.

Chairwoman of the SIC’s education and families committee Vaila Wishart said: “I’m pleased to see Shetland’s schools continuing to help young people attain such high standards. Pupils, staff and parents have obviously worked very hard over the last year and I wish all the young people involved the very best for their future.”

The results show that the percentage of Standard Grade credit grades (grade 1 or 2) rose from 60 per cent last year to 62 per cent, showing a further improvement from the 58 per cent attained in 2010. The national average was 48.1 per cent. A children’s services spokesman said: “This is a positive and pleasing trend in recent years.”

However at Higher level, the percentage of passes (A to C) in at least one subject dropped slightly, from 80 per cent last year to 78 per cent. The national average was 76.9 per cent. At Intermediate level, there was a drop in the percentage of passes at Intermediate 1, from 79 per cent to 69 per cent. Intermediate 2 saw a very small reduction in passes, from 84 per cent to 83 per cent.

There was also a decrease in the number of Advanced Higher level passes from 87 per cent in 2011 to 79 per cent. The figure this year still continues to be much higher than the 68 per cent attained in 2010.

This year, three sixth-year students from the Anderson High School were presented for the Scottish Baccalaureate, two in science and one, for the first time, in modern languages.

In terms of the numbers of pupils sitting exams, Advanced Higher presentations increased from 91 last year to 104 this year while Higher Grades saw a significant rise, from 803 to 837 – the same number as in 2010.

The number of candidates sitting SQA qualifications dropped from 619 to 609, continuing the decline from 655 candidates in 2010. The number of Standard Grade presentations dropped from 1,777 last year to 1,711, while the Intermediate 1 and 2 presentations were down from 672 to 650.

More detailed reports will be produced for children’s services in the next few weeks to be “used internally to help maintain and improve standards in our schools”.

Scottish education secretary Mike Russell congratulated pupils on another year of high achievement.

Mr Russell said: “I would like to congratulate Scottish pupils on their endeavours in 2012. This has been another successful year which is testament to the hard work that pupils have put into their courses.

“Through Curriculum for Excellence, we want to ensure that young Scots have an even greater platform to maximise their chances of success in the global jobs market and that Scotland is the best place in the world to start their working lives.”

He said that if needed, help was available through the Exam Results Helpline on 0808 100 8000 for those who may not have got what they needed.

“We have guaranteed every 16 to 19 year old a place in education or training through Opportunities for All and Helpline advisers are on hand to talk young people through the options available to them, should it be further study, a training place or employment.

“Behind today’s statistics are thousands of individual young people, each with their own set of results and ambitions for the future. Today is a day to celebrate their achievements.”