Pupils in North Lanarkshire have achieved some of the best-ever exam results in the history of the council this year.
As the wait comes to an end for anxious and excited pupils today, results show a significantly improving picture of academic success in the area.
Attainment has risen against most of the key measures when comparing this year’s results with 2019's attainment figures.
The 2019 results provide the most reliable comparison as this was the last previous formal exam diet, with attainment data for 2020 and 2021 collected by different assessment methods.
Councillor Kirsten Larson, convener of education, children and families, congratulated pupils who received results by email, text and post today.
She told Lanarkshire Live : "The results achieved by pupils this year is hugely encouraging and it’s a real reflection of the hard work and commitment of our pupils supported by the outstanding efforts of our teaching staff.
“We are delighted with the positive exam results our pupils have achieved across our 23 high schools; it really highlights the high quality of teaching and learning support provided to our young people.”
Headline figures for North Lanarkshire Council’s SQA 2022 results, compared with 2019, include:
- Significant improvement in the numbers of young people in S4 achieving five National 3 (up six per cent) and National 4 (up 6.3 per cent) qualifications - enabling over 200 more to be more employable on leaving school than in 2019.
- Significant improvement in the numbers of youngsters in S4 achieving five National 5 (up three per cent) - enabling more than 100 more to have access to Higher level learning programmes in school and further education than in 2019.
- Significant improvement in the numbers of youths in S5 achieving three Highers (up 3.4 per cent) - enabling over 100 more young people to have access to a wider range of higher and further education programmes in colleges and universities, and greater credentials for the job market than in 2019.
- Significant improvement in the numbers of youths in S5 achieving five Highers (up 3.4 per cent) - similarly enabling more than 100 more to have access to a wider range of higher and further education programmes in colleges and universities, and greater credentials for the job market than in 2019.
Derek Brown, deputy chief executive, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the positive contribution made by our education services and I’m delighted for our young people; so many of whom are better placed than ever before to move on to further education or to gain essential skills for employment or training.
“The past few years have brought incredible challenges; last session alone saw over 18,000 occasions in which a child contracted the COVID virus.
“I’d really like to thank staff across our school estate for the resilience and determination they have shown and for fostering such high-quality learning environments, which enable our pupils to maximise their potential.”
Lanarkshire youngsters are being reminded that guidance about their grades and their future options is available from their schools.
Pupils who perhaps didn’t get the results they were hoping for are being told to not be despondent and get in touch with their school, where teachers will be able to give advice and support and discuss their best options going forward.
The Skills Development Scotland Results Helpline can offer youths information, advice and guidance to support them via 0808 100 8000.
Subjects than can be discussed with advisers include course vacancies at UK colleges and universities; UCAS confirmation and clearing; foundation, modern and graduate apprenticeships; jobs, volunteering, and training options; and staying on at school.
The result helpline's opening hours are today and tomorrow from 8am to 8pm, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Monday to next Wednesday, August 17, from 9am to 5pm.
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