Renfrewshire schools show improved exam performance

Renfrewshire schools have recorded an improvement on exam results compared to last year, according to early indications.

Initial data from this year’s SQA exams shows the percentage of local young people leaving school with three or more Highers has increased by 2%, to 27%.

And there has also been a jump in the numbers getting five or more awards at National 5 level – up by 1.5% to 55% of all pupils.

Pupils across Renfrewshire were among 142,000 across Scotland ending a nervous summer-long wait today when they found out their individual results, either online or via the post.

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “This year’s results are very encouraging – we have achieved an improvement on last year across two of the key measures and we are very pleased with how the overall picture is looking.

“We want to congratulate all our pupils for all their hard work, as well as thanking our school staff for the great job they do all year round.

“And as important as exam results are, we want our pupils to leave school not just with academic achievements, but with a full range of individual achievements too, through schemes such as the Duke of Edinburgh award.”

For any pupils who didn’t get the results they hoped for or who want more information over their next steps, help is available through a free national helpline for pupils and parents.

The Skills Development Scotland helpline will be open from 8am to 8pm on 9 and 10 August and from 9am to 5pm until 17 August. The number to call is 0808 100 8000.

Pupils will be able to speak to qualified careers advisers with access to information on course vacancies at colleges and universities, and advice about apprenticeships, employment or volunteering.

Local careers advice is also available via the council’s Invest in Renfrewshire team, by visiting investinrenfrewshire.com or calling 0300 300 1180.