Exam results today for Orkney pupils

Pupils across Orkney will today (Tuesday 8 August) be receiving their examination results from the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

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

This is the fourth year that pupils have studied for the new National Qualifications, which were introduced as part of the Curriculum for Excellence to replace the previous Standard Grade exam system. It is the third year of the new Higher exams and the second year of the new Advanced Higher exams.

Orkney pupils have once again performed very strongly at National, Higher and Advanced Higher level.

Key milestones include:

• 100% of candidates entered passed National 4, as did the candidates entered in 2016.
• 82.6% of candidates entered passed National 5 at A to C, level compared to 79.5% in 2016.
• 83.9% of candidates entered passed the new Higher, compared to 82.2% in 2016.
• 87.4% of candidates entered passed the new Advanced Higher, compared to 87% in 2016.

James Wylie, Orkney Islands Council’s Head of Education and Improvement, said: “I wish to congratulate everyone who has received results today for their commitment over the last academic year.

“The strong performance across our secondary schools is testament to the hard work of pupils, their families, teachers and wider school community who support them tirelessly.

“Over the next few weeks school management teams will work with Education Service officers to analyse the results in depth to build on success and establish where any improvements may be needed.”

From today, schools are supporting individual students to firm up their options.

At Stromness Academy, Acting Head Teacher Ian Berstan and key staff will be available today (Tuesday 8 August) and tomorrow to speak to students about their results.

At KGS, Head Teacher Don Hawkins will be at the school today (Tuesday 8 August) from 09:00 to 13:00 to talk through results and options with pupils. Neil Ewing, Depute Head Teacher, will be at the school on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (9, 10 and 11 August) between 09:00 and 13:00 each day.

Additionally, appointments for the school’s Guidance staff can be made by contacting the KGS and Stromness Academy office from Wednesday 9 August onwards. The Guidance staff in both KGS and Stromness Academy will be available to discuss arrangements over change of courses if required on the afternoon of Monday 21 August and throughout the first week of term.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) will be available in KGS to give advice on careers, college and university courses on Wednesday 9 August from 09:00 to 13:00 and Monday 21 August all day. Phone SDS on 01856872460 to arrange an appointment, or just drop in.

Students can also drop into the SDS office at 2 Albert Street, Kirkwall. Phone 01856872460 to arrange an appointment, or just drop in between 09:00 and 15:00 Tuesday to Friday and until 16:00 on Thursdays.

SDS Acting Director of Operations, James Russell, said: “Our message for those young people and their parents and carers as the results arrive is not to panic.

“Everything might seem overwhelming at that point. Our experienced advisers are there to help and have information on all the options and opportunities young people can consider.”