EXAM results in Dumfries and Galloway this year showed ‘some variability’, say officials.
Education bosses yesterday released a breakdown of how the region did in the 2024 SQA examinations, a fortnight after results day.
Full course assessments were reintroduced for National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher courses this year and locally, entries at all levels increased since 2019, although there was a slight decrease compared to 2023.
At the National 3 and National 4 levels, pass rates were recorded at 88 per cent and 84 per cent, respectively. This showed a minor decline in attainment for National 3, but a slight improvement for National 4.
However, grades were down at National 5 level, where the proportion of A passes fell from 34.5 to 31.3 per cent.
It was a similar story at Higher, with a decrease from 29 to 27 per cent of A passes, albeit the overall pass rate remained consistent with last year.
Conversely, the pass rate for Advanced Higher dropped, but the proportion of A passes went up marginally from 26.7 to 27.2 per cent.
Meanwhile, in S5, 53 per cent of young people achieved at least one Higher; 32 per cent gained three or more; and 14 per cent scooped five or more.
Officials say that’s an improvement compared to last year and a spokesperson said: “This data indicates that the consistent emphasis on the attainment of all learners have contributed positively to outcomes.”
At S6, 59 per cent got at least one Higher; those securing three or more was 38 per cent; while 24 per cent achieved five or more.
And the percentage of young people in S6 achieving one or more passes at the Advanced Higher level was 16 per cent.
Commenting, council leader Gail Macgregor yesterday said: “First of all, I would like to say well done to all of our young people and remind them that their results do not define the rest of their lives, and support and advice is readily available should anyone require it.
“The young people, school staff and partners have worked hard over the last academic year and there are a significant number of individual success stories for our schools and young people, including the increase in the number of young people achieving National Progression Awards and Skills for Work Awards.
“There are small increases and small decreases in results across the board, so we will take time to reflect and work to improve opportunities and results for our young people in the short, medium and long term.”
