FINAL EXAM RESULTS have been arriving by post and text message to pupils at all eight Moray secondary schools this morning.
Moray Council say that early indications are that many have achieved the excellent individual results they had hoped for – with 22 students achieving five A’s or higher – one more than in 2015.
Result tables also show that 14% of candidates in S5 gained five Highers – comparative to the previous two years in the region.
Of those gaining five A’s, seven attended Elgin Academy, five Forres Academy while Buckie High School had four, its best result for three years. At Elgin High School, two pupils reached five A’s – the first time that has been recorded in successive years since 2003.
Results for Highers have also shown an increase, with more pupils achieving one or more and three or more Highers in 2016 than previously. Elgin Academy has a very impressive 65% of S5 pupils gaining at least one Higher and a quarter achieving five Highers – a record for the school.
Across S4, 49 students achieved six A’s at National 5 level. While that is lower than in 2015, there is an increase in the number of A and B passes at National 5 across all schools. There was also a number of young people in S4 who combined national 5 passes at A with Higher passes at A.
Keith Grammar has shown great improvement with 15% more pupils achieving 5+ National 5 results while 87% of fourth year pupils gained at least one National 5 award. Milne’s High has also seen an increase of 10% for those pupils sitting 5+ national 5 awards.
Moray Council’s head of schools and curriculum development, Vivienne Cross, said: “Analysis of our results is ongoing with more detailed work taking place over the course of the next week or so.
“In line with Scottish Government priorities we will be looking closely at how schools are closing the attainment gap for all young people. We will also be working closely with our secondary head teachers in the autumn term to review the attainment for this year and consider this in line with school improvement priorities.
“Attainment levels are reported nationally as our young people leave secondary school, therefore full results will not be available until next spring once leaver destination figures are finalised.”
Mrs Cross added that the young people were to be congratulated on their achievements and wished them well as they consider their options to gain employment, return to school or go on to further education.
She said: “Young people do not only work hard to gain a range of qualifications and awards but also are much more aware of the skills for learning and life and work which they gain and will continue to develop throughout their lives.
“Many have overcome major difficulties in gaining their results today and each and every one of them should be proud of their achievements.
“Thanks must also go to staff in school who continue to embrace changes to the curriculum and ensure that our young people are fully prepared for their examinations. We continue to face staff shortages and in particular some subject areas.
“Well done to our young people on their attitude and commitment to learning and we wish them well as they open text messages, e-mails and envelopes this morning.”
Students or parents who have any queries or concerns about their results should contact their school directly in the first instance.