Exam results day for Orkney pupils

Pupils across Orkney are today (Tuesday 9 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.

Students in S4, 5 and 6 were taking formal exams for the very first time, due to the cancellation of examinations over the last two years. Students, teachers and college lecturers are to be commended for their efforts following what has been another challenging year, with student and staff absences disrupting learning.

From lockdowns to restrictions, guidance to relaxations, the past 28 months have taken their toll on everyone. It is therefore extremely positive to report an overall rise in pass rates across Orkney when compared with 2019, the last time formal examinations took place.

The overall pass rate for all qualifications from National 1 up to Advanced Higher for 2022 is 85%, compared to 83% in 2019. The National 5 pass rate rose to 82%, up from 80% in summer 2019, and the Higher pass rate of 82% is also an increase on the 2019 rate of 80%.

The Advanced Higher pass rate was 79%, down from 87% in 2019. A more in-depth evaluation of results at school level is now underway and will be reported at a later date.

Gwenda Shearer, Orkney Islands Council’s Chair of Education, Leisure and Housing said: “I wish to offer my congratulations to all those who received results today, for their commitment to their studies, and thank their families, teachers, lecturers and the wider school and college community who supported them.

“We will not forget the pandemic years and the removal of exams when teachers and college lecturers across the nation stepped into the breach to assist and contribute to the judgement of awards for our students.

“This year we returned to the traditional and more familiar sit-down exams, and we acknowledge that this must have been an anxious time for some, particularly those who had never experienced sitting an exam in this way before.

“Today is a day for all pupils and adult learners across Orkney to celebrate their many achievements and successes, after many months and years of study. We wish students who are completing their school and college studies every success with their next steps in learning, life and work. We are delighted too that so many S4 and S5 pupils are choosing to continue in education this year, giving them further opportunities to gain skills and qualifications.

“Orkney 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.”

From this morning (Tuesday), schools are offering results-day support to help any pupils with queries about results, university/college applications or option choices for next year.

In particular, we encourage pupils whose results are lower than expected to talk with their school to establish whether an appeal is appropriate for them. In recognition of the continued impact of COVID on learning, access to the SQA appeal process is open to any learner whose SQA awarded grade is lower than that estimated by their teachers. Where the school holds evidence that the pupil can perform at the estimated grade, for instance from prelim exams or class assessments, this can be submitted as part of an appeal for consideration by SQA markers. Full details of the appeals process are available on the SQA website: SQA Appeals 2022 - what you need to know for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.

If you have any queries about your results, wish to appeal a result, wish to make a change to your course choices for 2022-23 or are leaving school and need support with your next step, staff are available to help you at Stromness Academy and Kirkwall Grammar School from 9am – 3pm on Tuesday 9 August. Pupils and parents are welcome to drop in between these hours or to contact the schools by phone or email – details on their websites.

In addition, SQA’s Candidate Advice Line will be available on Results Day from 8 am to 6 pm, then Wednesday 10 August to Tuesday 16 August (excluding weekends) from 8:30 am to 5 pm. The line can be reached on 0345 279 1000.

Skills Development Scotland’s expert careers advisers are also available to discuss options and next steps including vacancies at UK universities and colleges, Clearing, Modern, Foundation and Graduate apprenticeships, jobs and volunteering. They can be contacted on 0808 100 8000 and will be open from 8 am to 8 pm on Tuesday 9 August and Wednesday 10 August. It will be open 9 am to 5 pm from Thursday 11 August to Wednesday 17 August, excluding weekends. The SDS Helpline advisers will also be available on social media, by direct message to My World of Work on Facebook or Instagram.