Exam results: Moray pupils' English and maths passes rise in a 'year like no other'
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TODAY’S SQA results show increases in Maths and English passes for Moray’s schools in the 2019/20 academic session.
Schools and local authorities this year submitted estimates to be considered for the attainment of young people in S4, S5 and S6 following the cancellation of the exam diet amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Moray Council says this process has seen an increase of A-C passes at S4 for National 5 (N5) qualifications and an increase at Higher for S5 pupils.
Chair of Moray Council’s children and young people’s services committee Councillor Sonya Warren said an increase in passes at N5 Maths by 5 per cent, Higher English of 7 per cent and Higher Maths of 2 per cent was a "perfect illustration" of the focus on numeracy and literacy.
Cllr Warren said: "Across all our schools we have some exceptional achievements at all levels with more young people than ever before attaining seven grade As at National 5 level in S4 and also three and four grade As at Advanced Higher level in S6.
"We also have a promising number of learners who are achieving Highers in S4 and Advanced Highers in S5, which is to be commended.
"This is a perfect illustration of the effort put in by teachers to increase and improve numeracy and literacy attainment.
"We must also commend them for their diligence in helping pupils to achieve these grades, particularly during the challenging lockdown circumstances."
Head of education Vivienne Cross said: "2020 has been a year like no other. However, during the period of lockdown our efforts have been to provide robust estimates for our young people in order that they achieve the results they deserve.
"I pass on my congratulations to all those who have achieved well and to all school staff who continue to do the best for Moray’s young people.
"I’d also remind any young person who has concerns they should contact their school in the first instance."
In S4 Moray saw an increase of those achieving both one and five N5s as well as those passing six and seven national qualifications at this stage.
At Higher level for S5 learners, there was almost a 6 per cent increase of those achieving at least one Higher and an improvement in those in both S5 and S6 attaining at least three Higher level passes. This year has also seen the highest number yet of Moray pupils achieving Advanced Higher passes in S6.
Moray Council is awaiting further information from the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Scottish Government on what the exam diet for session 2020/21 will look like. It says once this is known, schools and practitioners will work with pupils and families to ensure that they are fully prepared for the expectations ahead.
