Results day in Aberdeenshire highlights foundations of success
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Some 64 pupils in Aberdeenshire have celebrated five straight A awards in their Higher exams today as results were announced.
As well as those celebrating their Higher and National awards, this year over 300 pupils from secondary schools across Aberdeenshire have other reasons to cheer after gaining their Foundation Apprenticeship.
This qualification is aimed at senior pupils and combines learning in class with a related work placement in which they hone their professional skills too.
It is equivalent to a Higher, with many universities, colleges and workplaces counting it as an A pass at Higher or even two Highers towards entry requirements.
For the first time during the last academic year, school pupils could complete this qualification in their own school alongside other timetabled classes, and around 200 pupils did so in eight subjects which included Accountancy, Business Skills, Children and Young People, Creative and Digital Media, Health and Social Care, IT Software, and Scientific Technologies.
Across the board in terms of results this year, Aberdeenshire is continuing to see a positive trajectory of improvement, testament to the enthusiasm, hard work and commitment of pupils, staff and parents and carers even in testing times.
Over 6000 young people entered for 30,000 courses across 70 qualification areas at SCQF Levels 2-7, and there were solid improvements in the overall pass rates at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Levels.
At National 5 Level, the overall pass rate in English is now 87.6 per cent and for Maths this figure is 70.1 per cent.
319 students embarked upon Foundation Apprenticeship courses in Aberdeenshire schools in session 2019-20 – 208 managed and delivered through Aberdeenshire Council’s own programme and the rest delivered through partnerships with NESCol.
Some 86 per cent of the Aberdeenshire Foundation Apprenticeship programme students had their success in completing their apprenticeships recognised through certification and official letters of recognition, with a further 10 per cent achieving the National Progression Award component of the Foundation Apprenticeship.
Councillor Gillian Owen, who chairs Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee, commented: “Absolutely fantastic, folks!
"I’m so pleased to see our young people able to breathe a long-awaited sigh of relief, recognised for their efforts and celebrating all they have achieved even in the face of adversity this year.
"Please, give yourself a well-earned pat on the back.
“Aside from the pass marks, you have achieved something very unique in terms of having to adjust to new ways of learning, in terms of supporting your family, dealing with disappointment and building resilience in the most challenging of circumstances.
"From me, it’s a very heartfelt well done.”
Foundation Apprenticeships have been an educational game-changer in recent years.
"For some, this qualification has opened up learning at an advanced level which they might not otherwise have had the opportunity to engage with. For all, it has given access to sought-after work placements and priceless, real-life experience of industry.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Head of Education, Vincent Docherty explained: “We think Foundation Apprenticeships will transform the way learning is delivered in the senior phase curriculum.
"They bring internationally-accredited trainers into our schools delivering industry-standard training opportunities – these qualifications are great for pupils’ confidence and readiness for the world of work, they’re recognised by universities and they’re great for employers who want young people to be able to hit the ground running with them when they leave school.”
Vice chair of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, councillor Rosemary Bruce added: “Partnership lies at the heart of delivering these apprenticeship opportunities and we are really grateful to all of our partners who have benefited from the fresh thinking and fun our young people bring with them.
“Once again, well done to all of our young people out there on your results. This year has been a test of our humanity as well our studies and we’ve seen so many fantastic examples of your sheer grit, enthusiasm and determination as well as your community spirit.
"Top marks!”
Touching more generally on the again impressive array of results Aberdeenshire has achieved this year, Vincent said: “It hasn’t been easy for our schools to collate and review evidence and make a fair judgement on behalf of each and every young person who was due to sit exams this year, but I really feel teachers, supported by their leadership teams have done a great job in Aberdeenshire.
"Their submissions have been realistic and sensible as well as ambitious, largely supported by the SQA in recognition that we have closely adhered to their guidelines. Thank you to all those school staff out their who have played their part.”
"As well as a certificate, it is clear apprenticeship opportunities have a huge impact on the lives of young people more generally.
Amy Simpson who studied Children and Young People at Ellon Academy told Grampian Online that it was a different way to learn.
She said: “It gives you more responsibility than other courses. It’s good to have the classroom learning and then see how it’s put into practice in the placement.”
Rebecca Westwater from Portlethen Academy became the Winner of Aberdeenshire’s Foundation Apprentice of the Year after undertaking the Health and Social Care course and is about to begin a degree in Paediatric Nursing.
She commented: “I have been incredibly inspired by the staff and children I have worked with through the Foundation Apprenticeship and have gained a vast amount of knowledge about the industry I am about to pursue.
"Having a long term placement in a healthcare setting was a crucial part of my personal and professional development.”
Megan Kelly from Westhill Academy gained a lot from studying Creative Digital Media directly with the team at SHMU.
She commented: “There’s a lot of teamwork in the course and you are working together with people you wouldn’t normally speak to which gets you to learn different skills, including communication and leadership.
"I really enjoy the production side – filming, making radio shows – so I applied to Media Production and Analysis at NESCol and because of this course I have actually been offered a place on that course which is amazing.”
One group who really saw professional life at the sharp end were the Health and Social Care apprentices.
Their placements were in care homes and NHS settings as many of them wanted to be nurses, physiotherapists and doctors.
Jamie Thom from Peterhead Academy, who hopes to be a nurse, was in a local hospital and found the experience invaluable.
He said: “I got to spend a lot of time speaking to and working with patients and nurses in their day to day activities. I’ve been mesmerised by their ability to cope with the demands of their job and their dedication and commitment.”
Douglas Andrew, Learning and Development Manager at NHS Grampian, had 32 Foundation Apprentices on placement.
He sees this as the way forward, saying: “Foundation Apprenticeships are absolutely fantastic.
"We’ve been working in partnership with schools and colleges and we’re able to plant a seed with young people so they can decide if this is the right opportunity for them.
"So far, it has been very, very successful.”
Vincent Docherty summed up by saying: “For this coming academic year, Aberdeenshire Council is looking forward to over 400 pupils accessing the qualification.
"With more uncertainty around us than ever, opportunities such Foundation Apprenticeships are a key part of ensuring our young people are as prepared as possible for the world of work or further study.”
Aberdeenshire Council’s exam results demonstrating solid improvements in the overall pass rates at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Levels:
SCQF* Level 2018 2019 2020
Level 2 58.8% 64.4% 89.2%
Level 3 89.8% 86.3% 92.9%
Level 4 89.0% 89.2% 87.7%
Level 5 (National 5) 74.9% 75.2% 79.2%
Level 6 (Higher) 75.9% 74.1% 77.6%
Level 7 (Advanced Higher) 77.6% 76.2% 82.6%
