SQA exam success

Published: 8 August 2018

Glasgow's young people raise the bar again and have gained more exam results than ever before.

Councillor Chris Cunningham, City Convener for Education, Skills & Early Years said: "Glasgow's senior pupils and school staff are celebrating our city's 'best ever' exams results as the wait was finally over for them.

"Once again more of our young people than ever before have achieved awards in their SQA exams - raising the attainment and achievement bar again.

"I am so proud of all their hard work and endeavours and what amazing news for our young people, their schools and the city.

"Glasgow is making an impressive impact on closing the attainment gap and improving the outcomes and life chances of every one of our children.

"The results of our S5 pupils has increased with the number of young people with one higher or more up 1.1 % from last year to 52.2%.  In 2008 only 28% achieved one or more higher.

"The number of S5 young people with three or more Highers has also increased to 26.2% - from only 15% at the same stage in 2008.

 "Young people who achieved five or more Highers by the end of S5 has remained at 10.7% - more than double the number of our pupils achieving this 12 years ago.

"Attainment by the end of S6 has also continued to increase - this year 23.5% of our school leavers have gained five or more Highers - up nearly 2% on last year.

"Glasgow's exam success is at an all-time high and our schools have been awarded a fantastic report card today.

"This is an outstanding achievement and proves our schools and school staff are committed in raising the attainment, achievement and aspirations of Glasgow's young people.

"Pupils and teachers should be very proud of themselves today for their hard work, determination and commitment has paid off and we are all delighted.

"Glasgow's parents can be assured that the education of their children is in safe hands and I promise that we will build on this success and continue to raise expectations and attainment.

"I realise that not everyone will have got the grades they were expecting today.

"I would urge these young people and their families not to panic. They should contact their school where teachers are on hand to offer support and discuss alternative options."

Background Facts & Figures

Glasgow had 10,849 pupils in S4 - S6    (as at January 2018 and after Christmas leavers)

The total number of presentations for exams in the 2018 exam diet at National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher across S4-S6 was 47,297

Glasgow school pupils have participated in a growing number of vocational courses, delivered by our local colleges. Over 500 young people have achieved qualifications across the range of SCQF levels from 1-6, in subject areas as diverse as fashion design, television production, engineering, financial services, professional cookery and health and social care. This includes 21 young people who have completed a Foundation Apprenticeship. Foundation Apprenticeships can be used to gain entry to occupations and advanced learning in growth industry sectors such as early years and childcare, engineering and ICT. The number of specialist frameworks has been expanded to include business administration, accountancy and civil engineering.

Sports Leaders

In 2017/18, 1493 pupils gained a Leadership Qualification/Award, 834 boys / 659 girls. This is nearly three times the number from 2010/11. 29% (484) were from the BME community and 66% (1083) from the 15% most deprived postcodes in Scotland. Glasgow continues to be the largest awarding authority in the UK for Sports Leaders UK.

294   young people have achieved the Playmaker awards across 11 schools.

Duke of Edinburgh

We continue to focus our intention on improving the number of young people achieving Duke of Edinburgh awards with an increase of 33% more young people achieving Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for 2017-2018. 703 young people achieved this year, compared to 529 in 2016-17

We have seen a 54% increase in the number of young people from lower SIMD areas participating in the programme.

Glasgow continues to be the largest awarding local authority in the UK for Sports Leaders UK and Duke of Edinburgh Awards

School Leaver Destinations

School leaver destinations have continued to improve. In 2016/17 (latest data) 91.9% went to a positive destination - an all-time high for city schools.

More than a third of our young people are now going to higher education - 36% last year - 11 years ago this figure was just 18%.

School exclusions

Since 2006, exclusions across the city have dropped by more than 81% - if children are not in school they are not learning.