NATIONAL 4 courses at all schools should have an exam at the end, according to a survey of teachers.

The qualifications were introduced in 2014 and rely only on coursework and assessment by teachers.

In the most recent results, announced last week, Clydebank High and Vale of Leven Academy both saw 100 per cent pass rates for Nat 4 courses. St Peter the Apostle High had a 94 per cent success rate.

Research by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in at least one school in 31 of 32 council areas took the views of hundreds of teachers and pupils.

A majority of teachers said Nat 4s needed an exam to motivate learning but were also uneasy about pressure to get pupils to sit the harder Nat 5 qualification.

The SQA concluded teachers felt Nat 4s were “not being valued by parents and carers and employers”.

Pupils surveyed said they did not want an exam at the end of Nat 4 courses.

The teachers’ union, the SSTA, called for Nat 4s to be scrapped but the larger EIS union said teachers are learning how best to use the new systems.

West Dunbartonshire Council could not comment in case the Scottish Government holds a formal consultation.