SQA results show increase in East Lothian achievements

They represent the hard work and dedication of all of our young people and school staff and I would like to offer my congratulations to them on their achievements

A total of 13,098 resulted awards were certificated for 2,482 candidates across East Lothian in 2022, an increase on last year (12,680 / 2,527) according to figures published today by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

The 2022 results have been compared to the most recent exam diet in 2019, and also the five-year historical average covering exams 2015 to 2019 to provide comparison and context. Results in 2021 were based on an Alternative Certification Model meaning they are not directly comparable.

Overall, the percentage achieving A-C awards in SQA courses was up 3% in 2022 at 85% compared to a five-year historical average of 82% across SQA diet from 2015 to 2019. This is the highest rate in East Lothian for an exam diet since 2015.

Key highlights by SQA level are:

National 2 to National 4

• National 2, National 3 and National 4 qualifications are made up of units which are internally assessed as pass or fail by the school or college, and externally quality-assured by SQA
• There were fifteen awards certificated at National 2, 364 awards at National 3 and 2551 awards at National 4
• The number of pupils presented for National 2 and National 3 awards were broadly in line across the five-year period, with an increase at National 4 (2015-2019 N4: 2238)

National 5

• 81% of candidates presented for National 5 qualifications in 2022 achieved A-C grades, an increase of 3% on 2019 (78%) and 4% on the five-year average (77%)
• The number of S4 presentations at National 5 were in line with previous exam diet years; the number of S4 pupils achieving one or more awards at National 5 or better increased 3% on 2019 (77.5% compared to 74.5%) and up 1% on the five-year average (76.7%) 
• The number of S4 pupils achieving three or more awards at National 5 in 2022 improved by 8% on 2019 (61.5% compared to 53.4%), and was 10% above the five-year average
• Those achieving five or more awards also improved from 38.4% in 2019 to 45.8% in 2022, 10% above the five-year average

Overall, the pass rate for National 5 English was down 3% on 2019 (87% compared with 90%) but in line with the five-year average while Maths was up 5% on 2019 and 3% above the five-year average at 67%.

Highers

• 81% of all candidates presented for Higher qualifications in 2022 achieved A-C grades. This is an increase of 4% on the five-year average and 8% above the performance in 2019 
• S5 presentations for Highers were in line with previous years with achievement rates rising amongst that group (84% compared to a 5year average of 81%)
• Overall, the pass rate across all year groups for Higher English increased by 3% from 80% (5year average) to 83% in 2022, 7% above the performance in 2019
• Pass rates for Maths also increased at Higher level from 74% (5year average) to 81% in 2022, 12% above the performance in 2019
• By the end of S5, there were improvements across all three Higher measures for the original S4 cohort:
  • 57% of pupils achieved one or more Highers (up 6% on 2019 and up 1% on 5year average)
  • 41% achieved three or more Highers (up 9% on 2019 and up 5% on 5year average)
  • 22% achieved five or more Highers (up 5% on 2019 and the 5year average)
• By the end of S6, there were also improvements across the three Higher measures:
  • 63% of pupils achieved one or more Highers (up 1% on 2019 and the 5year average)
  • 48% achieved three or more Highers (up 1% on 2019 and up 2% on 5year average)
  • 35% achieved five or more Highers (up 1% on 2019 and up 3% on 5year average)

Advanced Highers

• The number of S6 pupils presented for Advanced Highers increased 9% on the historical average (5year average - 41%) to 50% of the S6 cohort with pass rates 1% above the 5 year average (80% in 2022 compared with 79% - 5year average) and 2% above the performance in 2019
• The percentage of the original S4 cohort achieving one or more Advanced Highers by the end of S6 also improved by 3% from 22% (5year average) to 25% in 2022, in line with the 2019 performance

Hard work and dedication

Cabinet member for Education and Children and Family Services Councillor Fiona Dugdale said: “I am delighted with these results. They represent the hard work and dedication of all of our young people and school staff and I would like to offer my congratulations to them on their achievements. For some of our students, this will be the first time that they have been subject to traditional exam arrangements following the disruption of the last two years. It is to their credit that the results across all of our levels – from National 5 up to Advanced Highers – have increased. I also want to recognise the significant work of the central education team in both supporting the Raising Attainment Strategy and in working closely with schools to support their continuous improvement.

“Fewer candidates have received more awards and at a higher levels than the last comparable period and over the five year average. That is a real achievement and a testament to their resilience and the support that they have received from our schools and their families. I am especially pleased to see the results of our work to focus on maths in schools, with an increase in awards at National 5 and Higher levels. We will continue with this work and our efforts to drive improvement across our whole curriculum to ensure that all our young people can meet their potential in their chosen subjects. 

“It is important to reflect that there may be some young people who are disappointed with their own results. I would encourage them to contact Skills Development Scotland’s helpline to discuss their options. While an important part of academic life, I’m sure we all recognise that exam results are just one measure of success and it is important to remember that there are many opportunities that remain open to you. SDS’s trained advisors can help if you want to discuss your next steps.”

The SQA diet 2021 results do not include Foundation Apprenticeships, college partnership or vocational qualifications.

Skills Development Scotland’s Results Helpline is available on 0808 100 8000 or visit www.myworldofwork.co.uk