Exam results day: Jump in exams sat in Aberdeenshire, as attainment on the rise
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THIS exam results day, new data shows that Aberdeenshire experienced a swell of exam entries this year, as attainment improves.
Aberdeenshire Council have reported that pupils are taking more exams than any time in the last five years, as 6644 pupils sat 31,340 tests.
This is a rise of 2000 over last year's figure, a level not matched since before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Education and Children’s Services Committee chair Cllr Gillian Owen said: “Congratulations to all our pupils, their families, and our teachers in academies across Aberdeenshire.
"It is very pleasing to hear of all that has been achieved across the various areas of study.
“And for those pupils who haven’t done as well as they might have hoped, please don’t be disheartened.
"There is a wide range of support available to provide advice and guidance and to help identify opportunities.”
Teachers' union NASUWT has reacted to the results by criticising pay and conditions of school staff.
Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT said: “Students, teachers and school leaders have worked extremely hard to secure this year’s results in extremely difficult and challenging circumstances.
“Teachers have pulled out all the stops for their pupils and deserve more than warm words from the Cabinet Secretary.
“After a decade of real terms pay erosion, teachers now expect the Minister's praise to be matched with a restorative above-inflation pay award.”
Another trend in this year's results is the growth of Foundation Apprenticeships, which are equivalent to an NC college course.
The 2020-21 cohort of around 800 pupils across Aberdeenshire who undertook apprenticeships achieved a 48 per cent increase in their attainment compared to the average school leaver who did no Foundation Apprenticeships.
Over the course of the 2022/23 school session, Aberdeenshire will deliver a total of 875 apprenticeship qualifications for senior phase pupils across 12 subject areas.
Among schools seeing the benefits of Foundation Apprenticeships is Peterhead Academy, where the number on offer is due to increase in the coming year, and where participants have seen an attainment increase of an impressive 112 per cent.
Head teacher Gerry McCluskey said: “At Peterhead Academy we’ve seen a total of 66 Foundation Apprenticeships completed over levels six and four/five.
"Among these are roles within health and social care, and children and young people, which will no doubt help with recruitment challenges in these sectors locally.
“Over the coming year we are looking at 125 apprenticeships over seven streams and hope to see these positive outcomes continue.
"Congratulations to all our pupils for their hard work across all areas of study.”
Importantly, the qualifications are leading to positive outcomes for participants, with all of those undertaking apprenticeships moving on to positive destinations including employment and further study.
In terms of wider exam attainment across Aberdeenshire, an initial analysis of the results across Aberdeenshire has highlighted a number of positive outcomes:
- The number of S4 pupils gaining five qualifications at National 5 level has increased from 46.2 per cent to 48.1 per cent (equivalent to grades A-C), and from 55.9 per cent to 58.6 per cent at grades A-D.
- The number of S5 pupils achieving five A grades has seen a sizeable rise from 88 to 130 since last year.
- A total of 114 pupils achieved three or more Advanced Highers, up from 100 last year.
- The number of qualifications achieved by S5 and S6 pupils is down slightly, attributed to an increase in the number of Foundation Apprenticeships, which are the equivalent of a Level 6 qualification and reported upon in October
Head of Education Vincent Docherty said: “Congratulations to all of our young people, who have been following a greater number and broader range of qualifications this year.
“A key part of this has been an increase in the number of pupils undertaking Foundation Apprenticeships, which our research shows is leading to improved attainment and outcomes for participants.
“We believe the work-based element of the apprenticeships, coupled with the continuous assessment approach and giving pupils more responsibility for their own learning, are key factors in these positive outcomes.”
Committee vice-chair Cllr Anne Simpson said: “It is both encouraging and exciting to see just how big an impact Foundation Apprenticeships are having on attainment across Aberdeenshire.
“By broadening the range of opportunities to achieve qualifications we can help all our young people find a route to success that best meets their needs and interests.”
Mike Corbett, NASUWT Scotland National Official, said: “Given the particular circumstances facing pupils this year and the changes made to the awarding process to account for the disruptions of the last few years, it is difficult to seek to draw conclusions about or make comparisons with the performance of previous cohorts.
"The experience of this and recent years will inform the work of the Hayward Review, now looking at assessment and National Qualifications in the Senior Phase.
“Pupils and teachers should today be allowed to celebrate their successes today in the knowledge that they have done their best in extraordinary circumstances.”
For any young person undertaking a Foundation course, click here for more information.
Skills Development Scotland is once again running its results helpline on 0808 100 8000.
