Qualification Scotland exam results published

Pupils across Orkney are today (Tuesday 4 August) receiving their examination results from Qualifications Scotland.

Students who signed up for the text or email results service should have received their results between 08:00 and 09:00 today, with results on paper delivered by First Class post throughout the day.

The A-C pass rate for Orkney, at National 5 is 81.73%. The national pass rate is 79.2%.

The A-C pass rate for Orkney, at Higher is 81.55%. The national pass rate is 76.7%.

The A-C pass rate for Orkney, at Advanced Higher is 79.28%. The national pass rate is 77.6%.

Our young people across Orkney have also achieved 353 passes at National 4 and 33 passes at National 3 level.

In addition, many young people completed courses at UHI Orkney gaining level 5 and level 6 qualifications equivalent to National 5 and Higher alongside their school studies. These provide a valuable opportunity for young people to broaden their learning, build skills for employment and get a taste of what UHI Orkney may offer them for future study. A more in-depth evaluation of results at school/college level is now underway and will be reported at a later date.

Councillor Gwenda Shearer, Chair of Orkney Islands Council's Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, said: "I'd like to congratulate every young person receiving their Qualifications Scotland results today. These results represent many months of hard work, determination and perseverance, and everyone who has received their results today should be proud of what they have achieved. I'd also like to thank parents, carers, teachers, lecturers, support staff and everyone else who has supported our young people along the way.

"It's encouraging to see Orkney continuing to perform strongly, particularly at Higher and Advanced Higher, with results above the national average. While National 5 results are slightly lower than last year, they remain above the national pass rate. We should also celebrate the achievements of the many young people who have gained National 3 and National 4 qualifications, as every success deserves recognition.

"Of course, exam results are only one part of the picture. What matters most is that every young person is supported to move on to the next stage that's right for them, whether that's further or higher education, an apprenticeship, training, employment or another positive destination. Every learner's journey is different, and we want all of our young people to leave school with the confidence, skills and opportunities to succeed.

"Through the Orkney Offer, our schools work hard to make sure that learning is flexible, relevant and ambitious for every young person. Alongside qualifications, our young people are developing the wider skills that employers, colleges and universities value, including resilience, problem-solving, creativity and the ability to work well with others.

"I'd also like to recognise the fantastic work of our schools, UHI Orkney, our Community Learning, Development and Employability team and the many partners who work together to support young people and their families. Their commitment helps ensure that our learners are well supported, not just during their time at school, but as they take their next steps.”

There is lots of support available to learners in understanding results and planning next steps. 

If you haven’t received your results, your school can provide them for you.

If you think there is something wrong with a result, you may be able to appeal. Deadlines for making an appeal are:

·         Tuesday 11 August for priority appeals (where you have a conditional offer for a university or college place dependent on the result)

·         Tuesday 25 August for all other appeals

As part of Qualifications Scotland's Access to Marked Exam Papers (AtMEP) trial, Qualifications Scotland Co-ordinators can download copies of marked exam papers for the following qualifications:

·         Geography – National 5 and Higher

·         Graphic Communication – National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher

·         Media – National 5

·         Music – National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher

·         Statistics – Advanced Higher (Papers 1 and 2)

If you are considering an appeal in one of these subjects, please speak to your school to get a download of your paper to inform that decision.

If you are reconsidering your next steps, whether that is a change of school course options, a different career path or college course, or needing help with UCAS clearing, there is help available from schools, Orkney College and SDS as follows:

If you think there is something wrong with a result, you may be able to appeal. Deadlines for making an appeal are:

·         Tuesday 11 August at 11:59pm for priority appeals (where you have a conditional offer for a university or college place dependent on the result)

·         Tuesday 25 August at 11:59pm for all other appeals

If you are reconsidering your next steps, whether that is a change of school course options, a different career path or college course, or needing help with UCAS clearing, there is help available from schools, Orkney College and SDS as follows:

Kirkwall Grammar School:

To support pupils at KGS as their exam results come out, and to help those who are looking to recourse or have questions about career paths, there will be the following help available in school on the 4^th and 5^th of August from 9am – 1pm: 

Mrs R McKay – Head Teacher

Mr A Harvey – Depute Head Teacher

Mr G Horne – Qualifications Scotland Coordinator

Ms K Tulloch – Careers Adviser, Skills Development Scotland

Stromness Academy:

Mr Barber and members of the senior leadership and guidance team will be available in school from 9 to 12 on the 4^th and the 5^th of August.

 Sanday Community School

Mrs Muir and Ms Hooper will be available in school on 4 August from 10:00 to 12:00 for pupils and parents to drop in or phone with any queries.

Stronsay Junior High School

Mrs Groat will be available in school and by phone on 4 August between 14:00 and 15:00 for any queries.

Westray Junior High School

If you have any questions or queries, please contact Mrs Muir between 10:00 and 12:00 on the 4^th of August by email or in person at school.

UHI Orkney:

Anyone wishing to enquire about further or higher education courses at UHI Orkney can view options at Courses - Orkney College UHI, and can email info.orkney@uhi.ac.uk , or telephone 01856 569000 with any queries.