HUNDREDS OF ANXIOUS pupils and parents from all eight Moray secondary schools finally received the examination results they had been waiting for on Tuesday.
Moray Council say that going on early indications they have done themselves, their families and their schools proud – with 21 pupils achieving five A’s in their Highers, one more than the total number achieved last year – Forres Academy and Elgin Academy each led the way with seven pupils achieving five A’s. In addition the results showed that 14% of candidates at S5 managed to attain five highers.
For pupils in S4, 62 managed six A’s at National 5 level – 23 from Elgin Academy – while there was also a number of pupils in S4 who combined National 5 passes at A with Higher passes at A.
As for specific subjects, English results were very encouraging with 90% of candidates passing the National 5 exam and 60% of the S4 cohort also gaining passes.
Head of schools and curriculum development at Moray Council, Vivienne Cross, said: “We will be reviewing the results for our eight secondary schools along with our head teachers and we will be in a position to provide fuller analysis in due course.
“Attainment levels are now to be reported as young people leave secondary school and so full results will not be available until next spring once leaver destination figures are finalised.”
Acknowledging the hard work put in by staff in what was the first year of the new Higher qualifications in Scotland, Ms Cross added: “They have embraced change and ensured that our young people were fully prepared as well as coping with major staffing issues in most schools and departments.
“Our young people are to be congratulated on their attitude and commitment to learning and we wish them well as they open text messages, e-mails and traditional envelopes this morning.”
Chair of the children and young people’s services committee, Councillor Anne Skene, said the results were “outstanding”, adding: “Both staff and pupils in all of Moray’s secondary schools deserve congratulations for their hard work, commitment and well-earned achievements.”
Students or parents who have any queries or concerns about their results are being asked to contact their school directly in the first instance.