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Pictured: Braes High pupils had reason to celebrate (L-R):Ben Adams, Emily Dagger, Max Macaulay, Harry Lawson, Amna Anwar


Pupils across Falkirk Council secondary schools received their SQA exam results today with a strong, overall performance for senior pupils.

This is the first year that this cohort of pupils have sat traditional exams as a result of Covid-19 restrictions since March 2020 which resulted in three different approaches to senior phase SQA awards.

An initial assessment of this year’s results are very positive:

  • Level 3 awards in S4 this year are better than last year, and better than 2019 pre-Covid levels.
  • Level 4 awards in S4 are the highest yet for Falkirk schools.  
  • Level 5 awards in S4 are lower than last year, but higher than pre-Covid levels.
  • Level 6 awards are lower than last year, but again are higher than pre-Covid levels.
  • Level 7 awards are lower than last year, but again are higher than pre-Covid levels.

Councillor Laura Murtagh, Portfolio Holder for Education in Falkirk Council said “These results are a really positive reflection of the hard work put in by Falkirk’s students, many of whom will have sat traditional style exams for the first time.

“They should be justly proud of all they have achieved, as should their teachers, who have worked tirelessly and innovatively to support them through changing and often very challenging circumstances.

“As a parent myself, I know first-hand the significant stress that has come with supporting our young people throughout the pandemic and would pay tribute to the wider support networks providing pastoral support to our students, including to parents and carers themselves for the crucial role they have also played. Congratulations to everyone receiving their results this week and to staff who continue to support all of our students.”

A full analysis will be undertaken of the overall attainment pattern when the Insight School Leavers Data is published in February which includes not just SQA but also HNC, Apprenticeships and other pupil destinations.

Robert Naylor, Director of Children’s Services said: “Given the challenges that this cohort of pupils has faced during the pandemic it is encouraging to see that these results are better across all the above measures than pre-pandemic figures.”

Any parents or pupils involved in this year’s diet of exams who have queries regarding their results should contact their school directly.

SQA’s Candidate Advice Line is on 0345 279 1000.