Attainment rising in Midlothian
As pupils across Midlothian receive their exam results today, new figures show significant improvements in attainment levels across the county compared with the five year average (2017-2021).
Five or more Nat 5 passes
This year 38.9% of S4 pupils gained five or more National 5s at levels A-C, a rise of 1.4% compared with the five year average of 37.5%.
More pupils getting five or more Highers
A total of 15.2% of S5 pupils gained 5 or more Highers at passes A-C compared with the five year average of 14.1% while the percentage of S5 pupils gaining three or more Highers is up 5% to 37.1% compared with the five year average of 32.1%.
Advanced Higher passes on the up
Meanwhile S6 attainment levels are also improving with 22% of S6 pupils getting at least one Advanced Higher pass in 2021 compared with the five year average of 18.3%.
A challenging time for pupils
Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Jim Muirhead said: “With National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams cancelled both last year and this year because of the pandemic, it’s been an extremely worrying time for young people trying to plan for their future.
Can't compare this year with the last one
“As different models were used to assess pupils in 2020 and 2021, it’s unhelpful to compare this year’s figures with last year’s SQA results. Instead, we’re looking at overall attainment trends over the last five years and we can see substantial improvements, in particular with the percentage of pupils in S5 getting three or more Highers – up 5% at 37.1% compared with the five year average of 32.1%.
Great overall results
“Well done to all of our pupils and staff for working hard during very challenging circumstances.”
Lots of support and advice
Cllr Muirhead reminded pupils there is lots of support and information, including careers and health and wellbeing advice, on the SQA website.