2024 SQA Exam results published

Pupils across Orkney are today (Tuesday 6 August) receiving their examination results from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). 

Students who signed up for the SQA’s text or email results service should have received their results between 08:00 and 09:00 today, with results on paper delivered by First Class post throughout the day. 

We are aware that a number of learners in Orkney received their exam results a day early or received blank texts – we have raised this as a matter of urgency with the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Royal Mail. 

Nationally, pass rates have fallen at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher, a trend which Orkney schools’ pass rates have mirrored at National 5 and Higher, while at Advanced Higher we have bucked the trend with a rise. Orkney's National 5 and Advanced Higher pass rates are above the national level, while Higher is slightly below. 

In addition, many young people completed courses at UHI Orkney gaining level 5 and level 6 qualifications equivalent to National 5 and Higher alongside their school studies. These provide a valuable opportunity for young people to broaden their learning, build skills for employment and get a taste of what UHI Orkney may offer them for future study. A more in-depth evaluation of results at school/college level is now underway and will be reported at a later date. 

Gwenda Shearer, Orkney Islands Council’s Chair of the Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, said: “Today is a day of celebration for students across Orkney receiving their exam results and I commend the commitment to their studies and thank their families, teachers, lecturers and the wider school and college community who supported them. 

“I understand that there have been some issues in terms of the delivery of exam results to a number of students – whether receiving them a day early in the post, or blank emails being issued by the SQA. I would like to stress to all students that they should contact their schools if they wish to raise any concerns over how they received their results or if they are missing any, as schools will be able to assist. 

“Here in Orkney our educators pay close attention to positive destinations – students who move on to careers, training, volunteering or further education – that is our ultimate goal: to ensure all our students are achieving a positive destination on their learning and life journeys. 

“A very high percentage of our pupils in Orkney move on to positive destinations, and we believe that part of this is due to the council having a hand in education from nursery through to higher education, meaning educators can engage with young people early in their lives and follow them through their academic careers into adulthood. 

“Orkney’s educators will continually review and respond to the needs of our young people as they set out on their journeys to ensure they achieve positive destinations. This process is at the core of “The Orkney Offer” – which is to ensure all students have access to the right range of qualifications and have opportunities to develop skills to support them onwards. 

“Credit must also go to our Community Learning, Development and Employability (CLDE) team for building support programmes for students and families.” 

There is lots of support available to learners in understanding results and planning next steps. 

Remember, if you haven’t received your results, your school can provide them for you. 

If you think there is something wrong with a result, you may be able to appeal. Deadlines for making an appeal are:  

Tuesday 13 August for priority appeals (where you have a conditional offer for a university or college place dependent on the result)  

Tuesday 27 August for all other appeals 

If you are reconsidering your next steps, whether that is a change of school course options, a different career path or college course, or needing help with UCAS clearing, there is help available from schools, UHI Orkney College and Skills Development Scotland. 

More details on the support here: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/latest-news/calling-all-senior-students-and-parents-exam-support-dates-for-your-diaries/