SQA results show rise in National 5 achievements in East Lothian

A total of 11,051 resulted awards were certificated for 2354 candidates across East Lothian in 2019, an increase on last year (10,682 / 2,302).

Key highlights are:

• Over 78% of candidates sitting National 5 qualifications achieved A-C grades, up 3% on last year and in line with the national average. 34% of candidates achieved a Grade A – an increase of 2%. The pass rate in English is at its highest level in 5 years (90% - a 6.8% rise on last year).
• There was an increase in the number of National 5 awards presented at S4 level with pass rates rising amongst that group (84% compared to 80% last year). The pass rate for National 5 English amongst this group was 93%, an increase of 7% from last year.
• Overall, the pass rate for National 5 English was the highest in five years at 90%, up 7% on the previous year. It is also 4% above the national average (86%). Pass rates for Maths, which was an area of focus, remain steady from last year at 62%.
• The number of S4 pupils achieving 5 or more awards at National 5 or better increased by 7% to 38%.
• By the end of S6, 34% of pupils achieved 5 or more Highers, remaining steady from last year.
• The percentage of pupils passing Advanced Higher increased by 3% to 78% (from 75%) along with an increase in presentations for this qualification 49% (up 6% on last year).

We are ambitious for our young people across East Lothian and want to ensure that they have the best possible start to their future.

The results do not include Foundation Apprenticeships, college partnership or vocational qualifications.

Head of Education and Children’s Services Fiona Robertson said: “These results reflect positively on the work in our schools to offer a broad range of qualifications and opportunities. I welcome the increase in National 5 qualifications presented at S4 level and the pass rate rise, which gives our young people a good grounding for their senior phase. A 90% pass rate at English, its highest level in five years, is very encouraging and I’m pleased to see we are continuing steady results in maths which has been an area of focus for this authority and across the South East Improvement Collaborative (SEIC). Congratulations to all our young people on their results, and to our schools for the work that they have undertaken to support learning.”

Cabinet member for Education and Children’s Services, Councillor Shamin Akhtar, said: “The results show continued improvements in our pass rates in a range of areas including the highest level of pass rate for National 5 qualifications in English in five years of 90%, increasing numbers of S4 pupils achieving 5 or more at National 5 qualifications and increase in the level of passes at Advanced Higher level.

“This is great news for our pupils and they should be congratulated for all their hard work and effort in the lead up to today, and to our teachers, parents and carers who will have worked tirelessly to support and prepare for the exams. The improvements show that we as an authority, as well as our schools, are ambitious for our young people across East Lothian and want to ensure that they have the best possible start to their future lives.

“It’s important that we recognise that today’s SQA results do not encapsulate the full range of opportunities available to our young people such as our college partnerships and Foundation Apprenticeships. We are committed to developing a range of pathways that supports attainment and achievement at all levels and to suit all our young people.”