Mixed emotions as students in the Borders receive their exam results
It's a day of mixed emotions for secondary school pupils in the Scottish Borders as they find out how they've done in their exams.
More than 13,000 pupils sat national qualifications in the region this year.
And, while the percentage of S5 pupils scoring Higher passes is down on last year, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) says more young people than ever are recording success in literacy and numeracy.
But education chiefs have been forced to apologise for the "unnecessary stress" after some pupils were sent blank emails instead of their results.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) says the problem has now been resolved.
Lesley Munro, SBC's director of education and children's services, told Greatest Hits Radio: "We've heard a couple of young people have maybe experienced not having their results on email, thankfully the majority of young people are using text messaging which seems to have come at the time it was expected.
“It is important to remember that every pupil is different and will have their own ambitions and aims. For some, these results will be vital in getting a place at university, and for others they will be an important step towards a job, a Modern Apprenticeship, further education or simply being able to take their preferred subjects and qualifications in their next school year."
The overall pass rate (A-C) for S4 pupils at National 5 in the Borders has "remained consistent".
But the SQA stressed "significant caution" should be exercised when comparing results, as changes during and after the Covid pandemic mean that different approaches have been used in awarding exams every year since 2019.
Joining pupils at Earlston High School (EHS) as they opened their envelopes, Councillor Leagh Douglas - SBC's Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning - said: “I’d like to extend my congratulations to all our young people today. The results achieved are testament to the remarkable resilience and continued commitment that our young people have demonstrated and they should all be immensely proud of what they have achieved."Â
Headteacher Alex Johnson says support's available for those who didn't get the grades they'd hoped for.
"Please do not worry, please don't stress about it" he said. "There is strapline that's going around the hashtag: #nowrongpath. It is not the end of the road at all, there is plenty of support out there."
Among those receiving their grades today is Ellie Darlow, who is going into S6 at EHS ,who scored straight As in her five Highers. She said: "I just got a text message this morning, it was a bit stressing for a minute and then it was just kind of relief, because that's one thing I don't have to worry about any more."
When asked what she felt had helped her achieve the grades, Ellie, who hopes to go on to study medicine, added: "I felt like just keeping on top of everything throughout the whole year instead of panic-stressing revision before the exams."
For anyone who is disappointed in any of their results, pupil support information is available at: www.scotborders.gov.uk/examresults and from the Skills Development Scotland helpline on 0808 100 8000. This is open from 8am to 8pm on Tuesday and Wednesday (August 6th and 7th), and from 9am until 5pm on Thursday and Friday, August 8th and 9th.
Advisers can provide access to information on UCAS course vacancies at college and universities across the UK, Confirmation and Clearing, advice about Modern Apprenticeships and employment and training opportunities. Additional information is available on the SQA website: www.sqa.org.uk and at: www.myworldofwork.co.uk
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