News / Didn’t they do well!

SHETLAND’s pupils appear to have again performed above the national average in this year’s exam’s results.

As 622 youngsters received their results by text, email or post on Tuesday, the council’s education committee chairwoman Vaila Wishart said she was proud of their achievements.

Shetland Islands Council’s quality improvement officer Robert Sim said that initial analysis of the results has shown a seven per cent improvement in passes at advanced higher level compared to last year.

Other overall results are:

• the number of candidates sitting SQA qualifications in Shetland rose from 609 in 2012 to 622 in 2013;
• the percentage of standard grade credit grades (Grade 1 or 2) remained at the very high level of last year, down slightly from 61.8 to 61.4 per cent;
• at higher level, the percentage of passes (A-C grade) in at least one subject held steady, at 77.9 per cent as opposed to 77.7 per cent last year.

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This is the last year of standard grade. Under ‘Curriculum for Excellence’, all SQA qualifications are being replaced or revised.

Wishart said: “My congratulations to all of this year’s candidates on their results and my thanks to the teachers who have helped them do so well.

“Shetland’s record of achievement in standard grade over the last 29 years is something to be proud of.

“I have no doubt that we will see a similar performance in the new qualifications within the Curriculum for Excellence.”

For Brae High School pupil Shaun Alderman the postman brought some very good news, as he was not sure whether he had managed to pass his higher English exam.

In the event, the 16 year old achieved four highers (a B in history, a B in modern studies, a B in music and a C in English), and is now studying for advanced higher in history and music.

He plans to enrol on the two year HNC course in music taught at Shetland College and Mareel.

“I am looking into the sound engineering and producing side of music. The course at Mareel is really good, I know people who are doing it,” he said.

He added that he was grateful for all the support he had received from his teachers at Brae High.

Responding regular criticism that sitting exams have become easier over the years, Sim said that, in his view, standards of teaching had become better.

“There has been a lot of research into what makes good teachers over the last ten to 15 years, and that has applied now.

“Also, as teachers get familiar with the syllabus for an exam they get better at helping young people attain the highest they can.”

He added that he was confident that the high success rate would continue with the new Curriculum for Excellence in place as of next year.

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Schools are ready to discuss results with pupils. Information is also available from the Skills Development Scotland’s website www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk

The SDS exam results helpline on 0808 100 8000 is open from 8am until 8pm on 6 and 7 August, from 9am to 5pm weekdays until 14 August and 10am to 6pm weekends.