Exam results day

MORE than 600 pupils in Shetland are receiving their exam results on Tuesday morning, either by text, email or post.

This is the second year of the new Nationals which were brought in as part of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) and which are usually taken in S4.

More than 93 per cent of local candidates passed National 4, a slight increase to figures from the previous year.

Key results include:

• 93.1 per cent of candidates passed National 4 compared with 92.9 per cent in 2014.
• 82.0 per cent passed National 5 compared with 78.9 per cent last year.
• 79.8 per cent of candidates passed the new Higher, and
• 86.9 per cent of candidates passed the old Higher. 
• It was also the first year of the new Higher exams. 

However, schools had been given permission in certain circumstances to continue for one year only to enter candidates for the old Higher.

In Shetland, there were 723 entries for the new Higher compared with 175 for the old.

Chair of the education and families committee, Councillor Vaila Wishart, said: “I am very pleased to see that Shetland’s excellent record of attainment in national qualifications continues.

“I would like to congratulate all the candidates and their teachers.”

Across Scotland results certificates have been sent to a total of 142,862 candidates sitting a wide range of qualifications – including new Highers for the first year and Nationals for the second year; as well as existing Access, Intermediates, Highers and Advanced Highers.

Overall Higher passes are up by 5.5 per cent. Education secretary Angela Constance said: “This is another strong performance by Scotland’s young people.

“They have worked hard, and I congratulate each and every one of them, as well as the families and carers, and teachers and lecturers who have provided support. “

Local schools are ready to discuss results with pupils. Information is also available from Skills Development Scotland’s website: www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk 

Anyone needing advice after having received their exam results should call the helpline on 0808 100 8000.