140,000 Scottish pupils to receive Highers exam results
Exam results arrive today for more than 140,000 Scottish school pupils.
Exam results arrive today for more than 140,000 Scottish school pupils.
Thousands of candidates will receive their results by text and email but the majority will still have to wait for the postman to arrive with their certificates.
Last year, a record number of Highers were awarded to pupils sitting a new set of qualifications for the first time under Curriculum for Excellence reforms.
Figures from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) showed there were a record 156,000 Higher passes in 2015, up 5.5% on 2014.
The 2015 pass rate for the new Highers was 79.2%, but there was controversy over the maths exam with the pass rate lowered to 34% after complaints that it was too hard.
This year, part of the English Higher paper was changed at short notice amid concern about a possible leak of a question.
Deputy First Minister and Scotland's Education Secretary, John Swinney, will meet pupils in Glasgow as they receive their results.
Earlier in the week, Mr Swinney visited careers advisers working on an advice and support helpline set up for young people and their parents to discuss results and their options.
Skills Development Scotland said the service is for use by people who do not get the results they hoped for or for students who may have done better than they anticipated.
Mr Swinney said exam results are a ''beginning rather than an end point'' and encouraged anyone in need of advice to use the free 0808 100 8000 helpline.
''Receiving results can be a daunting and nerve-wracking time, and I think it is important that we recognise this and make sure all of the students who will receive results are supported with advice and guidance to make the best possible choices going forward,'' Mr Swinney said.
''If you get the results you are looking for, then that is obviously fantastic. However, if students do not get what they need this time round, then be assured that there are a huge number of things you can consider and there is support available to help you get where you want to be."
For those waiting for results by post, the Royal Mail promised to "pull out all the stops'' to deliver certificates as early as possible.
Arrangements are also in place to get results to young Scots in 45 countries around the world.
Royal Mail head of special events planning Derek Keir said: ''This is a massive day for every pupil in Scotland, waiting for their results.
''All of our postmen and women, many of whom have children themselves, understand just how important this day is for families.
''Our people pull out all the stops to ensure the results are delivered as quickly and efficiently as possible."