LOCAL MSP WELCOMES STRONG HIGHER PASS RATES DESPITE SMALLER SCHOOL COHORT
Angus South Constituency MSP, Graeme Dey, has welcomed news that the national level of Higher passes has remained stable over the past year despite a fall of more than 2.4% in the S5 and S6 school roll.
On the day the national results are released, it has been that revealed there were 147,000 Higher passes, with a pass rate of 76.8%, compared to 77.0% in 2017.
The results showed a record number of entries for Advanced Higher (24,331) since changes to this qualification were made in 2015/16, with attainment rates remaining high at 80.5%.
Figures from the SQA also show an attainment rate of 91.1 per cent for the National 4 exams, with 96,613 passes, while pupils achieved 218,201 passes at National 5, with a success rate of 77.4 per cent . The figures are down slightly on 2017 when the attainment rate for National 4 was 92.8 per cent and 79.5 per cent for the National 5.
So far, 29,830 Scottish students have had their UK higher education places confirmed. This is a 4 per cent increase compared to Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) results day 2017, and comes alongside a 3.1% fall in the total number of 18 year olds in the overall population of Scotland.
Of those Scottish students accepted, 28,970 will be studying at a university in Scotland.
The proportion of all 18 year olds in Scotland entering higher education (the entry rate) has increased to 23.3% (the highest level recorded in recent years).
The UCAS figures also show the number of prospective students from the 20% most deprived areas successfully getting a place at a UK university has risen by 5% to a new record level for all ages and by 9% for 18 year olds, taking the increase for 18 year olds to 21% since 2016. This comes alongside UCAS reporting a 3.1% fall in the total number of 18 year olds in the overall population of Scotland.
Welcoming the results, Graeme Dey MSP said:
“During this Year of Young People, it is right that we take the time to celebrate the efforts and dedication of our learners.
“I would like to congratulate our young people in Angus and across Scotland, who have worked incredibly hard in the lead up to today. I also wish to extend my thanks to the teachers and lecturers who have worked tirelessly to prepare their pupils, as well as the SQA examiners who have been working day and night to mark papers.
“Higher passes remain stable despite a continuing fall in the number of young people on the school roll, while the number of Advanced Highers being taken continues to grow.
“Today’s figure show we are making good progress on widening access with the number of students from Scotland’s most deprived areas accepted into university increasing to a record high for the third year in a row. While there is much to do in closing the attainment gap, this comes as welcome news.
“It is clear that Curriculum for Excellence is meeting the needs of young people, who have performed strongly against rigorous standards, providing them the exciting opportunity to decide where to begin their journey after leaving school. Anyone who did not receive the results they had hoped for, or who is just unsure about their next steps, should get in touch with the SDS exam helpline for access to expert careers advice.”
ENDS
