Young people and their families are celebrating success today, with the long-awaited SQA awards announced for S4, S5 and S6 qualifications.
The results follow months of disruption for schools, pupils and their families which saw home learning developed and a new national assessment process introduced, as part of Scotland’s response to the threat of COVID-19.
Early indications are that overall Argyll and Bute’s young people have overcome this disruption and secured qualifications that mean they move onto positive destinations.
Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, paid tribute to their hard work:
“We all want success for our young people. Achieving it has never been more challenging than this year. Sheer hard work, and partnership between our schools and their families have been key to ensuring that learning continues even in this unprecedented year.
Our pupils had to deal with the pressures of leaving their familiar school routines and adjusting to new ways of learning.
Our teachers worked tirelessly to deliver digital and home-learning options. Our focus on using digital technology put our schools in a good position to develop longer term digital teaching, but even so, the speed and scale of change were demanding.
And our parents had to take on the task of supporting their children with home learning, often while juggling the stresses and strains of work and other family demands.
It’s been a stressful, difficult time to say the least. The ‘let’s get it done’ response I’ve seen in action is a real credit to Argyll and Bute. Our pupils, teachers and their families should all be very proud of themselves.
Wholehearted congratulations to all our young people who achieved the qualifications they hoped for.
For anyone disappointed, please do get in touch, you’re not on your own, our schools are here to help you.”
If any of our young people or their families would like to discuss their results, we encourage them to contact their school as soon after receiving their results as possible so that we can provide any support required.