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Secondary pupils at Wick and Thurso have been praised for rising to the challenge of a Covid-disrupted academic year, with many achieving outstanding grades.

Local youngsters were praised for they way they responded "under the most difficult of circumstances" and for showing "exemplary commitment and motivation", with teachers acknowledged for their "dedicated professionalism".

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) results were announced yesterday, with the number of Higher passes at a record level nationally since 1999 and the number of Advanced Higher passes the highest since they were introduced in 2001.

With an exam diet not possible because of the pandemic, this year’s grades for National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers were based on teachers’ judgement of evidence of attainment.

Wick High's acting head teacher Sebastian Sandecki said: "Initial analysis of our SQA results indicates the performance of our pupils continues to show improvements across the school, with some excellent individual achievements.

"I would like to congratulate all our students, many of whom have excelled under the most difficult of circumstances. Our results this year reflect the hard work and dedication of our young people in their studies, in addition to the support they have received from their parents and teachers.

"I would like to thank our teaching staff for the dedicated professionalism demonstrated when producing the information required by the SQA, enabling certification this year.

"The last two years have been a very challenging time for our pupils, parents and staff. Wick High School is incredibly proud of their efforts and our pupils continue to impress us with their resilience.

"We look forward to Tuesday, August 17, when we will see our returning pupils and our S1 new starts for what will hopefully be a more settled school year.

"All schools continue to work with Highland Council to ensure the safety of our school community in the new term."

Wick S5 pupil Lucy Durrand achieved six Highers at A pass – in Chemistry, Computing Science, English, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.

Three of Wick's S5 pupils, Abby Budge, Caleb James and Eve Watt, gained five Highers at A pass. Abby has accepted an offer to study law at Aberdeen University.

Fourth-year pupil Will Bullen attained seven A passes at National 5.

Five others had six A passes at National 5. They are Nia James, Euan Bartlett, Struan Mackay, Faith Baijal and Robyn Gow.

Anne Nicoll, depute head teacher at Thurso High School, said: "Thurso High School pupils have achieved excellent results despite the challenges the year has presented. Although SQA exams were cancelled, pupils still had to undertake assessments in May, the results of which, along with key pieces of work completed over the year, were used to determine pupils’ final grades.

"All of our staff are very proud of all pupils who have continued to work hard throughout lockdowns and restrictions this year. Many pupils had 100 per cent engagement while working remotely earlier this year which shows exemplary commitment and motivation."

She pointed out that in S4 at Thurso, 23 pupils achieved six or more National 5 grade A awards with "exceptional" results attained by Kyle Leavesley (eight A1 Grades), Hannah Rosie (six A1 grades at N5 and one A1 grade at Higher) and Ashleigh Coghill (seven A1 grades).

In S5, nine pupils achieved five grade A Highers – Tom Gordon, Alisha Johnson, Lucy King, Liam McIvor, Chloe Mackay, Karla Mackay, Milayna Mackay, Rhiannon Mackay and Louis Pickering.

In S6, Niamh Fraser gained three Advanced Higher A grades plus one Higher A grade, Isla Costello achieved two Advanced Higher A grades along with two Higher A grades, and Noah Wendrich attained one Advanced Higher A grade as well as three Higher A grades.

Across Scotland, almost 137,000 learners received their SQA results.

They show:

• The highest number of Higher passes since at least 1999
• The highest number of Advanced Higher passes since the qualifications were introduced in 2001
• An increase in the number of entries for National Qualifications compared with 2020
• The percentage of grade As awarded at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level is at a record high
• Pass rates at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher are higher than in 2019, although slightly down on 2020
• The poverty-related attainment gap is narrower than in 2019, although slightly wider than in 2020

Scotland's education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville paid tribute to the dedicated efforts of "endlessly supportive" teaching staff.

She said: “This is a strong set of results, achieved under extraordinary circumstances.

“It has been one of the toughest academic years we’ve ever known, with the pandemic throwing significant challenges at our young people. So to have this many learners receiving certificates, and for the number of passes at Higher and Advanced Higher to be so high, is incredible.

“These results are testament to the hard work, resilience and determination of learners – and to the dedication of their endlessly supportive teachers and lecturers, who have been with them every step of the way, going above and beyond to make sure pupils got the grades they deserve.

“Learners can be confident that their awards are fair, consistent and credible. Indeed, industry representatives have made it clear how much they value this year’s qualifications.

“As in any year, the results highlight some areas for us to focus attention on. Closing the poverty-related attainment gap and ensuring every young person has the chance to fulfil their potential remains central to our work.

"We know that the challenges presented by the pandemic mean our efforts to deliver equity in education are more vital than ever, so we are investing a further £1 billion over the course of this parliament to help close the gap.

“While congratulating those receiving SQA results, we should also recognise and celebrate in equal measure the successes of young people whose achievements are not measured in national qualifications but in other ways. They should be proud of their hard work and resilience during such a difficult year.

“For some young people, the results may not be what they would have liked. There is always a next step – and there is a range of support and practical advice available for learners, and their parents and carers, to help in that onward journey, whether it’s staying in education, training, or moving into the workplace.”

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