By Democrat reporter
Over 2,000 young people in West Dunbartonshire were supposed to be looking to the future today as they received their SQA results.
However, it is being reported that a major error has led to at least some pupils not yet receiving what they were promised – and West Dunbartonshire Council refusing to answer questions as to how many in this area are affected.
With many waiting for the post to be delivered, which sometimes in Dumbarton is well into the afternoon, pupils will be desperate to find out their SQA certification results in National 4 and 5, as well as Higher and Advanced Higher.
The council has turned a blind eye to this boondoggle in its media release about results day.
And they have wittered on in a manner that suggests yet another cover-up is imminent when simply telling the truth would have reflected much better on their tarnished reputation.
“Pupils from all seven of the area’s high schools will be moving onto a range of positive destinations, with many entering permanent employment, apprenticeships or furthering their education at college or university,” according to councillors and spin doctors.
But Labour at Scottish Parliament level have put the boot into the council’s Labour administration and the SNP group that preceded them. It’s little wonder that Provost Douglas (Three Jobs) McAllister has not been trotted out to announce the results, which themselves are enough to embarrass even our new Westminster MP.
Pam Duncan-Glancy, left, Labour’s education spokesperson at Holyrood, told The Democrat: ““The results speak for themselves – the poverty-related attainment gap is at its highest ever level, while attainment has also fallen for all.”
Meeting with a range of pupils this morning, Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, said: “Pupils should be extremely proud of their hard work and dedication over the years. I can only imagine how much pressure our young people must feel throughout the exam period.
“Hearing about everyone’s different journeys today, with some going on to university and college and others going straight into work as apprentices, demonstrates the true variety of options that pupils have available to them, and everyone should be very excited for the next chapter. I wish them all the best of luck in the future.”
Councillor John Millar, right, Vice Convener of Educational Services, said: “Well done to all our pupils, you should all be proud of the effort and hard work that has gone into our exams.
“I hope everyone can look at their results and be pleased with whatever is written on that paper but also remember that there are so many different paths to get you where you want to be and if things didn’t go quite as you had planned, there is help available to anyone who is looking for guidance after receiving their results.”
Being kind, this is just waffle out of a spin doctor’s training manual
Skills Development Scotland’s results helpline is available from 8am Tuesday 6th August: 0808 100 8000
A total of 2,295 candidates were presented for 10,601 qualifications and of those results show that 93% of pupils presented received at least one national qualification.
67% of pupils who sat Advanced Highers received at least one pass at this level, and 82% of those presented achieved at least one Higher pass.
At National 5 level, 86% achieved at least one Nat 5 pass, while 92% of those presented achieved at least one National 4 qualification.
In subjects including Advanced Higher Art & Design, Graphic Communication and History; Higher Italian and Music Technology, as well as National 5 Accounting, Early Learning & Childcare, Energy, Hairdressing, Health Sector, Italian, Media, Music Technology, Sport & Recreation, 100% of pupils who were presented for qualifications received a passing grade.
Laura Mason, left, Chief Education Officer, said: “All of our pupils should be very proud of the hard work they’ve all put in throughout the year.
“I want to thank the staff across all of our schools for their continuous support and dedication to making sure our pupils have the best opportunity of success in their qualifications and to parents who have supported and encouraged their young people to achieve.”
“We will continue our commitment to raising attainment and ensuring every young person in West Dunbartonshire is supported to fulfil their potential. Many of our young people study a wider range of courses than those discussed today. We look forward to discussing the achievements of all of our young people once the national bench marking tool Insight is updated in September.”
However, the SQA results reveal that the poverty-related attainment gap is at an all time high, and reports of a technical failure mean some Scottish pupils received blank emails rather than their results.
Scottish Labour Education spokesperson Pam Duncan-Glancy said: “Young people across Scotland should have woken up this morning to exciting news – instead they have woken up to a new level of SQA chaos.
Case Studies on some of West Dunbartonshire pupils can be found online here: https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/exam-results-page-2024/
Meanwhile, in Argyll and Bute, which includes Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh — its catchment area runs from Cardross to Arrochar — initial figures show that their results are higher than the national average in both National 5 and Advanced Higher for A-D. The results also show a 100% pass rate in National 4 across our schools, building on previous National 4 success.
This year’s results are the first since 2019 marked without alternative assessment arrangements and altered marking thresholds, as introduced during the pandemic.
The figures show a national dip in results compared to last year, and Argyll and Bute’s results reflect this locally while presenting a picture more in line with 2019 performance.
With the alternative arrangements removed, this year’s results are evidence of the approach to assessment and marking, returning to pre-pandemic norms.
Based on A-D results, the figures show that:
- 100% of young people in Argyll and Bute achieved National 4 – 15.5% higher than the national average;
- 89.15% passed National 5 – 0.05% more than the national average;
- 90.45% passed Advanced Higher – 0.55% higher than the national average;
- And, 89.832% passed Higher – a slight drop of 0.18% compared to the national average.
The council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Audrey Forrest, said: “Congratulations to everyone in Argyll and Bute who received their exam results today. I know how hard you have worked over the last year. You should be very proud of yourselves, and have done exceptionally well to achieve what you have.
“I also know there will be young people out there who are disappointed with their results, but please rest assured that there is #NoWrongPath. The exam results are just one part of the journey to your chosen career. There are many different options for positive post-school destinations, including apprenticeships and a range of qualifications in school, college, and university. Please do not feel disheartened.
“If you are unsure about your next step, or you would like to talk to someone about your results, please get in touch with your school.”
Today’s figures show just some of the results attainment and achievement data. A further, more detailed report, will go to the council’s Community Services Committee later in the year, with a with full results analysis again in early 2025.
Picture captions: Education convener Labour’s Cllr Clare Steel pictured with pupils from West Dunbartonshire schools trying to give the impression that all is well in West Dunbartonshire’s education system when even their national spokesperson has admitted the actuality is that it is far from it.
West Dunbartonshire education, like so much else, is at the bottom of the pile.
Just look at and compare WDCs results to see.
Maybe our new MP could tell us why his council administration is doing so badly.