THE waiting game is over for students across Helensburgh and Lomond after they received their exam results earlier this week.

Results dropped through letter boxes on Tuesday, August 9, following the first exam diet for pupils in S4-S6 for three years, as a result of disruption brought about by the Covid pandemic.

Douglas Morgan, acting head teacher of Hermitage Academy, said: “I’m extremely proud of all our young people this year as they have continued to show amazing resilience throughout what has been another difficult period in education.

“The 2022 results for Hermitage Academy demonstrate the exceptional effort that has been put in by our senior pupils throughout their own individual journeys this year and I cannot praise them all highly enough.

"Hermitage Academy pass rates for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher are above both local authority and national averages and the National 4 pass rate continues at 100 per cent.”

Helensburgh Advertiser: Douglas Morgan, acting head teacher at Hermitage Academy, spoke of his prideDouglas Morgan, acting head teacher at Hermitage Academy, spoke of his pride

Mr Morgan continued: “The diet of results this year are definitely something that our young people, families and entire school community should be extremely proud of. I am very grateful to the teachers and wider support staff in the school who continually go above and beyond to ensure that our young people have the best opportunity to succeed.”

Pass rates rise

Across Argyll and Bute, Higher and Advanced Higher pass rates increased by 6.3 per cent and 8 per cent respectively, compared to 2019 – the last time an exam diet was held.

There was a 100 per cent pass rate for National 4 exams, 14 per cent above the national figure.

Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for education, said: “I am so proud to see how our young people have coped this year and, indeed, over the last three years.

"The way they have adapted to difficult and constantly changing circumstances shows levels of resilience and maturity which are hugely impressive. I admire each and every one of our young people who has received their results, whether they have achieved what they hoped for or not.

“I also want to pay tribute to our teachers and all educational staff who have supported pupils through their studies and prepared then so well to achieve such impressive results.

"It has been an extremely challenging time for all our education staff, and they have risen to the ever-changing demands and requirements of the last three years with conscientious skill and commitment. 

"Our young people’s achievements are in no small part a result of their tireless efforts, and I express my gratitude to every one of them.”

 

Across the country, the pass rate for pupils sitting exams dropped from the levels seen in the two years when they were affected by the pandemic and associated restrictions.

At Higher, the number of pupils getting an A to C pass was 78.9 per cent, down from 87.3 per cent last year.

That was higher than the rate of 74.8 per cent in 2019, the last year in which formal exams were sat across the country.

The pass rates for National 5 and Advanced Highers followed a similar pattern.

Pupils looking for advice and support are encouraged to call Skills Development Scotland between 9am-5pm during weekdays or log on to the Skills Development Scotland website.