Initial analysis indicates good exam results for Orkney pupils

The majority of Orkney’s school pupils should have now received their exam results from the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

The new National Qualifications at Higher level (National Level 6) were provided by schools for the first time this year as part of Curriculum for Excellence. Schools are now analysing the Higher results, along with those at National Level 5 and National Level 4. These new National Qualifications were offered for the second time this year.

Peter Diamond, the OIC’s head of schools, said: “We appreciate all the hard work from staff – and support from parents – that goes into preparing pupils for these National Qualifications. We also congratulate our senior pupils who have sat these exams and who are preparing to move into employment and further and higher education.

“We are now reviewing the detailed results for our secondary schools along with our headteachers. We will be in a position to make a fuller analysis in due course.”

Stromness Academy headteacher Emma Taylor said: “I would like to say congratulations to our senior pupils for achieving a very good set of exam results this year.  I am delighted that their hard work and effort have paid off. Overall, a high proportion of our pupils have achieved Grades A-C across all their exams

“There have been some notable successes this year, with several of our pupils achieving top grades in their exams.  Our sixth-year pupils have done particularly well with an excellent set of results at Advanced Higher level.

“We are now looking forward to welcoming all our pupils back to Stromness Academy soon for the new academic session.”

Neil Ewing, acting headteacher at Kirkwall Grammar School, said: “It’s a big well done to the senior pupils at KGS for the success they have achieved in their SQA exams.

“The pupils put in a huge amount of effort throughout the year and this has been reflected in the number of excellent passes in their subjects. I’m particularly pleased as this was the first group of pupils sitting the new Higher qualifications.

“There have been a number of pupils who have achieved five A passes at Higher level and in many individual subject departments results have been very strong. I’m now looking forward to welcoming all pupils back for the new term and to build upon our successes.”

Parents of pupils involved in this year’s exams who have queries about the results should contact their school directly.