The long wait over the holidays is over for school pupils waiting on their SQA exam results.
Early reports show that young people in schools across Aberdeen have continued to perform well with an increase in overall pass rates.
There have been several changes both in qualifications and the wider education system as a result of Curriculum for Excellence however 2015 saw an increase in the number of pupils sitting exams.
3,752 pupils sat examinations this year compared to 3,683 pupils in 2014 which is an increase of 1.9%. 2015 saw 18,104 exam entries – an increase of 2.1% compared to 17,740 in 2014.
The S4 English SCQF Level 5 (National 5) has seen a significant increase of 6.8% in the pass rate (A-C) from 82.6% in 2014 to 89.4% in 2015.
S4 Maths SCQF Level 5 (National 5) has seen an increase of 0.5% in the pass rate (A-C) from 71.1% in 2014 to 71.6% this year.
S5 SCQF Level 6 English has seen an overall increase in pass rates (A-C) of 2.6%. This figure includes the pass rate for the old Higher English exam which some pupils sat this year and the figure for those who sat the new Higher English exam.
S5 SCQF Level 6 Higher Maths has seen a slight fall in the pass rate (A-C) of 0.3% in the old Higher Maths exam and a decrease of 1.4% in the new Higher Maths exam.
Skills for Work (National 5 All Stages) courses continue to be a success in Aberdeen with pupils benefiting from skills for life, learning and work across a range of courses.
Pass rates in Skills for Work courses and wider achievements increased from 91.2% in 2014 to 94.8% in 2015 which is an increase of 3.6%.
Aberdeen City Council’s Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee Councillor Angela Taylor said: “This is the third year in succession that we have seen improvements in results.
“We must acknowledge the hard work and dedication shown by our pupils and staff with the new exams and the new curriculum – they have put in a lot of effort which is reflected in the exam results.
“Closing the education gap remains a top priority so I am very pleased that the Skills for Work courses continue to be a success in Aberdeen with pupils benefiting from skills for life, learning and work across a range of courses.
“The council-run Aberdeen Guarantees initiative is also an excellent example of how we are working with businesses and higher education establishments to provide positive destinations for all our pupils.”
Director of Education and Children’s Services Gayle Gorman said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our teachers for their continued hard work and their commitment during this challenging time of change especially as we continue to recruit and retain teaching staff.
“It has been an anxious time for pupils and parents with the new exams so I am delighted that the results have been a success.”