Pictured (left to right) Falkirk High pupils Tamsin Gold, Finlay Morrison, Daniel Gray
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 the 2023 cohort of S4 pupils sat traditional exams following Covid-19 restrictions.
An initial assessment of this year’s results are 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 in line with last year and continue to be the highest yet for Falkirk schools
- Level 5 awards in S4 are lower than last year but are in line with pre-Covid levels
- Level 6 awards are in line with last year but are higher than pre-Covid levels
- Level 7 awards which are in line with last year but higher than pre-Covid levels.
Councillor Iain Sinclair, spokesperson for Education said: “These results speak volumes about the ongoing recovery from the impact the pandemic had on our pupils who have clearly risen to and overcome the challenges. It’s really good to see that these results compare favourably to pre-pandemic figures.
“Every single pupil receiving their results today should be very proud of their individual achievements as well as the teaching staff who have helped them adapt to a changing academic landscape.”
Covid restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the ongoing recovery since pupils returned to full session of in person education in 2022 have influenced approaches to senior phase SQA awards:
- 2020 Alternative Certification Model - were based on the professional judgement of teachers with SQA algorithm
- 2021 Provisional awards stood as the final grade - SQA algorithm removed
- 2022 Full exam diet with course modifications
- 2023 full exam diet with course modifications
Modifications such as removal of course components to increase time for learning and teaching, increasing the time for some exams and providing answer/topic choice in some exams.
A full analysis will be undertaken of the overall attainment performance when the Insight School Leavers Data is published in February which includes not just SQA but also HNC, Apprenticeships and wider accreditations and qualifications.
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
Skills Development Scotland advice line 08009178000