SQA results 2021

With the traditional exams cancelled because of the Covid pandemic, this year’s results have been based on teacher assessed Provisional Grades. Our pupils have been justly rewarded for their hard work and effort in prelims, the summer assessments diet and submitted coursework, with a set of impressive results.

F5 (S5) pupils achieved an average of 4.6 Highers each, with 74.5% of passes graded A. The Higher pass rate was 96.4% and 46% of the year group gained a set of at least 5 A grades. 68% of the year group secured five or more Higher passes.

In F6 (S6), the Advanced Higher pass rate was 96.3%, with the pupils achieving an average of 2 passes each. In addition, more than a third (37%) of F6 pupils achieved at least 3 Advanced Highers, with almost a quarter (24%) securing 3 A grades.

In the National 5 exams, F4 (S4) pupils achieved an average of 7.8 passes each, with 73% securing 8 or more passes and 45% of the candidates gaining 8 or more A grades. 98% of the cohort gained 5 or more N5 passes, with 80% of the year-group achieving 5 or more A grades. Overall the pass rate was 97.3%, 81% of which were A grades.  

While the F4 and F5 candidates now look forward to returning to school on Monday (August 16th), the F6 pupils are preparing for the next stage in their lives. This year’s leavers are headed for universities across the UK – including 5 with places confirmed at Oxbridge - to study subjects ranging from Mechanical Engineering, Business Management and Molecular Biology, to International Fashion Branding, Computing and Medicine. Reflecting on the uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, some have also chosen to take gap years before taking on university places in 2022.

Rector, Lise Hudson, said, “This has been an extraordinarily demanding and challenging year for all our young people and their teachers.  

“I am immensely proud of how the whole community has responded. Pupils have found ways to stay connected, take responsibility and excel, producing their best work despite all the uncertainty and shifting sands. Across the school - and in ensuring the fair and honest certification of our pupils - teachers and all support colleagues have gone above and beyond. The dedication and hard work shown has been truly exceptional. We are lucky indeed to have a community of passionate, hard-working and determined staff.  

“These academic results speak for themselves. However, they do not fully illustrate individual successes and those achieved in the most difficult of circumstances. They are just one important stage in the learning journeys of our pupils, through which we will continue to ensure that each and every one of them is supported and nurtured to realise their potential and follow their dreams.”

As a part of our Post-Exam Service to pupils and parents, senior members of staff, Guidance Teachers and Heads of Department are on hand to support and advise.