Moray students celebrate exam results
Pupils at Moray’s eight secondary schools have been receiving their exam results by post and by text and e-mail today – and the early indications are that many achieved excellent individual results.
The number of students achieving five As at Higher was 22 – one more than last year and the highest figure since 2012 - while 14% of candidates in S5 gained five Highers, similar to the previous two years.
Of the 22 gaining five As, seven were from Elgin Academy and five from Forres Academy, while Buckie High had four – its best result since 2013.
At Elgin High, two pupils achieved 5 A passes -the first time this has happened in consecutive years since 2003.
Higher results in Moray have shown the greatest increase,with more pupils achieving one or more and three or more Highersin 2016 than previously.Elgin Academy has a very impressive 65% of S5 pupils gaining at least one Higher and a quarter achieving five Highers – a record for the school.
Across S4, 49 students achieved six As at National 5 level. This is lower than last year, although there is an increase in the number of A and B passes at National 5 across all schools.
In addition there were a number of young people in S4 who combined National 5 passes at A with Higher passes at A.
Individual school results have shown impressive improvements, none more so than Keith Grammar School where N5 results in S4 show major improvements with 15% more pupils achieving 5+ National 5 results as well as 87% of fourth year pupils gaining at least one National 5 award.Milne’s High has also seen an increase of 10% for those pupils sitting 5+ national 5 awards.
Moray Council’s head of schools and curriculum development, Vivienne Cross, said: “Analysis of our results is ongoing with more detailed work taking place over the course of the next week or so.In line with Scottish Government priorities we will be looking closely at how schools are closing the attainment gap for all young people.
“We will also be working closely with our secondary headteachers in the autumn term to review the attainment for this year and consider this in line with school improvement priorities.
“Attainment levels are reported nationally as our young people leave secondary school, therefore full results will not be available until next spring once leaver destination figures are finalised.”
Mrs Cross said the young people were to be congratulated on their achivements and wished them well as they consider their options to gain employment, return to school or go on to further education.
“Young people do not only work hard to gain a range of qualifications and awards but also are much more aware of the skills for learning and life and work which they gain and will continue to develop throughout their lives,” she said. “Many have overcome major difficulties in gaining their results today and each and every one of them should be proud of their achievements.
“Thanks must also go to staff in school who continue to embrace changes to the curriculum and ensure that our young people are fully prepared for their examinations.We continue to face staff shortages and in particular some subject areas.
“Well done to our young people on their attitude and commitment to learning and we wish them well as they open text messages, e-mails and envelopes this morning.”
Students or parents who have any queries or concerns about their results should contact their school directly in the first instance.
Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 95,510 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.
Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.
Headquartered in Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.