Orkney pupils receive SQA exam results

Pupils across Orkney today, Tuesday, are receiving their examination results from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

Students who signed up for the SQA’s text or email results service should have received their results between 8 and 9am today, with results on paper delivered by first class post throughout the day.

James Wylie, Orkney Islands Council’s head of education, has offered his congratulations to the pupils and adult learners who received results today, for their commitment to their studies. He has also thanked their families, teachers, lecturers and the wider school and college community who supported them.

“We have a strong overall pass rate at 80 per cent, which is lower than last year’s high figure of 85 per cent, but we do expect some fluctuation year on year,” he said.

“When schools and college staff return from the summer holiday, detailed analysis of the results will take place, subject by subject, enabling us to evaluate trends, build on success and establish where any improvements may be needed.”

From this morning, schools are offering results-day support.

Pupils and parents are welcome to drop in or contact Stromness Academy throughout the day today, and on Wednesday and Thursday, where head teacher Jane Partridge and guidance manager Marlyn Firth can provide help and advice.

At Kirkwall Grammar School, depute head teacher Neil Ewing is on hand until 12 noon today and on Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 12 noon to talk through results and options with pupils.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) staff will also be available at KGS until 3.30pm today to give advice on careers, college and university courses, and apprenticeships for students across Orkney. Appointments are on a drop-in basis, but the SDS team can be contacted on 01856 872460 if an appointment is required.

SDS staff will also be on hand at the Kirkwall Careers Centre in Albert Street until 3pm today.

In addition, the dedicated SDS Exam Results Helpline is manned by qualified advisors who can be contacted on 0808 100 8000. It is open until 8pm today (Tuesday), from 8am to 8pm on Wednesday, and from 9am until 5pm from Thursday until Wednesday 15 August.