Moray pupils receive exam results following the return to end of year SQA examinations
OVER two thousand young people in Moray have received their exam results today (Tuesday 9 August) with many individual successes to be celebrated.
Following two years of Alternative Certification Model (ACM), 2022 was the first time any young person in S4, S5 and S6 in Moray had participated in a formal ‘end of year’ SQA examination diet.
Schools supported young people with a range of revision sessions, wellbeing interventions and alternative assessment arrangements for those who required additional support. This was while continuing to follow all covid-19 mitigations in place for most of the session.
Performance across Moray continues to remain positive in key measures, with some exceptional individual results. This includes a number of young people achieving Higher passes in S4, this level of study suited to their individual learning pathway.
The number of young people achieving six and seven ‘A’ passes at National 5 along with those achieving six or seven awards at National 5 remains positive following this year’s change in assessment approach.
Over 90% of young people achieved an award (A-D) at S4 National 5, S5 Higher and S6 Advanced Higher levels. In S4, performance is in line with session 2018/2019, the last comparable SQA examination year.
Strong S4 performance is noted in National 5 Art and Design, English, Music and Physical Education. National 5 Maths also continues to show an upward trajectory of attainment.
Performance in S5 for Higher highlights 92% of young people achieving an award (A-D). In particular, young people performed well in Art and Design, Business Management, English, Geography, Modern Studies and Physical Education. Performance and pass rates are once again noted as comparable to pre-pandemic levels.
In S6, young people studied a broad range of Higher and Advanced Higher subjects, with 87% achieving awards (A-D). Significant Higher attainment is noted in Business Management, Modern Studies and Physical Education. At S6 Advanced Higher, performance was strong in a number of subjects including Art and Design, Chemistry, English, French, Geography, German, Mathematics, Music and Physics.
In total, 81 young people in S4 achieved six or more ‘A’ grades and 40 young people achieved seven or more ‘A’ grades at National 5. This is comparable to performance in the 2021 ACM.
In S5, 23 young people achieved five or more ‘A’ grades at Higher and eight young people achieved three grade ‘A’ awards at Advanced Higher level in S6. Over 30% of young people in S6 achieved at least one award at Advanced Higher level.
Moray Council education staff continue their detailed results analysis of this year’s return to SQA examinations. Comparison with the last two years of ACM is complex due to the different assessment approaches in place. While positive achievement through awards at A-D is noted, it is acknowledged that pass rates are lower across National 5 to Advanced Higher in comparison to last session’s ACM.
Moray Council’s Head of Education, Vivienne Cross, said: “2022 was the first year that our young people sat formal examinations since the pandemic started in 2020. I am extremely proud of their individual achievements, resilience and commitment during a disruptive period in their Education.
“The importance of any form of accreditation, skills and knowledge is vital as the labour market fluctuates and the education team encourages all our young people to plan for their future and research career opportunities.
“Having a wide and flexible suite of courses and qualifications will be essential. Always remember there is no wrong path and it is absolutely alright to change your mind if it doesn’t go the way you planned.”
Chair of the Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “I’d like to congratulate young people, their families and teaching staff from secondary schools across Moray. Session 2021/22 proved to be another uncertain year as we continued to navigate our way through the covid-19 pandemic, and I am extremely proud of the achievements of each and every pupil.
“If you did not receive the results you were hoping for, please don’t be discouraged. There is a wide range of support available to provide guidance and help identify alternative opportunities. Skills Development Scotland are also running their annual exam results helpline which can be accessed by calling 0808 100 8000.”
Any pupil requiring support or advice can contact their school in the first instance. Skills Development Scotland are also on hand to support with advice and next steps through the Exam Results Helpline and are contactable on 0808 100 8000. SQA candidate advice line may also be accessed on: 0345 279 1000 or general advice may be accessed via their website, www.sqa.org.uk and Social Media @sqanews.
Young people requiring advice about university places may contact UCAS online on www.ucas.com, on social media (facebook.com/ucasonline; Twitter @ucas_online) or by telephone on 0371 468 0468.