North East schoolkids celebrate exam results success
Kids across the North East of Scotland are getting their exam results this morning.
Kids across the North East of Scotland are getting their exam results this morning.
Both Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council say they've seen overall improvements in attainment.
Martin Carle, 17, from St Machar Academy already has a place at the University of Aberdeen to study Politics.
He said: "I think I got on really well. I'm particularly shocked with how well I've done in some of them.
"I'm just waiting for uni to begin, I'm going to enjoy my time, try and live a little and enjoy myself.
Robyn Connell, 16, who goes to Northfield Academy said: "I got on really well, I passed them all so I was really pleased.
"I was quite calm, but nervous on the inside. I try not to show it!
"They were really important to me because next year I'm hoping to leave school and go to university.
"I'm wanting to go on to study nursing or midwifery, I haven't decided 100% but they are the two that I have been focused on for the past three or four years now."
You can let us know how you've got on by tweeting us @northsoundnews
The statistics
SQA examination results out today reveals that young people in Aberdeen schools are performing well with overall pass rates sustained.
This year saw 3,730 pupils sitting exams compared to 3,752 pupils in 2015.
There were 18,150 exam entries in 2016 compared to 18,104 entries in 2015, an increase of 0.3%.
The S4 English SCQF Level 5 pass rate (A-C) for 2016 is down 0.3% to 88.9% from 2015.
S4 Maths SCQF Level 5 has seen a significant increase of 3.6% in the pass rate (A-C) to 75.2% in 2016.
S5 Higher English SCQF Level 6 has seen a slight increase in the pass rate (A-C) of 0.1% to 85.8% in 2016.
S5 Higher Maths SCQF Level 6 there has been a significant increase in the pass rate (A-C) of 5.5% to 79.4% in 2016.
This is the first year of implementing the new Advanced Higher under the new national qualification framework.
2016 has seen an 82.9% pass rate (A-C) – an increase of 4.3% from 2015 – the highest Advanced Higher pass rate since 2008.
Skills for Work (National 5 All Stages) courses continue to be a real success in Aberdeen with a 100% pass rate in 2016 compared to 94.8% in 2015 – an increase of 5.2%.
Skills for Work offers pupils the opportunities to learn and work across a range of courses which include creative industries, energy, engineering skills, sport and recreation, and travel and tourism.
Aberdeen City Council's Convener of Education and Children's Services Committee Councillor Angela Taylor said: “I am pleased to see that there continues to be an overall improvement in this year’s attainment figures as closing the education gap remains a top priority for this council and we will continue to work towards this to ensure all our children have equality of opportunity to enable them to reach their full potential. “We must acknowledge the hard work and dedication shown by all our pupils and staff in what is a challenging time – they have put in a lot of effort which is reflected in the exam results. “I am also very pleased that the Skills for Work courses continue to be a success in Aberdeen with pupils benefiting from learning and working across a range of courses and gain skills and experience which will help them now and into adulthood.” Director of Education and Children's Services Gayle Gorman said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank our teachers for their continued commitment, hard work and enthusiasm during this challenging time as we continue to recruit and retain teaching staff.
“I would also like to wish all our pupils who sat exams this year, whether they are due to continue at school, go into further education or join the world of work, all the very best for the future.”