Wait is over as texts arrive with exam results

It is results day for the 560 secondary pupils in Shetland who have been patiently awaiting their exam results.

Those who chose to receive the news by text or email will have woken up to their results this morning while for those awaiting the traditional method will have to wait for an envelope falling through the letterbox.

Shetland pupils have performed strongly, though in some areas the number of passes were down on last year.

Pass rates for National 4 were 94 per cent, down from 96 per cent in 2017. Pass rates at National 5 grades A-C were 77 per cent, compared to 80 per cent last year.

Higher and Advanced Higher pass rates, meanwhile, were at the exact same rates as 2017. Higher passes grade A-C were 76 per cent, while Advanced Higher passes grades A-C were 80 per cent.

Five pupils achieved the Scottish Baccalaureate in Science, 11 pupils achieved at least one pass at National 2 and 23 at National 3.

Advice is on hand for those who wish to discuss their results and what the implications are. Pupils can contact schools directly or access Skills Development Scotland advice (www.myworldofwork.co.uk/examresults) or through the exam results helpline 0808 100 8000.

The council’s education and families committee chairman George Smith said: “I would like to congratulate all those who have achieved the results they were hoping for and to encourage anyone who hasn’t to talk with their school pupil support staff about their next steps.

He added: “I note that the overall attainment levels, while being extremely good, have either dipped or remained static with the previous year.

“We have seen reductions in school budgets for a number of years now and if we are to improve on attainment levels going forward the council must look seriously at the level of resourcing going into schools.”

The number of pupils receiving their results in Shetland was at the lowest for several years.

• More reaction in Friday’s Shetland Times.