How Glasgow pupils performed in this year's SQA exams

Councillor Christina Cannon says she “feels for” the thousands of city students who received their results from the Scottish Qualifications Authority today (August 6).

She said: “It is not that long ago I was that young person anxiously waiting to see if I had the results I wanted, so I feel for everyone in that situation this year.

“The good news for Glasgow’s young people is the overall attainment and achievement continues to make steady progress, up across all indicators compared to our 2019 exam results – and the first post-covid exam results without any modifications.”

Islam and Josh with their results (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

The number of pupils achieving five or more Highers in S5 increased from 11.9 percent in 2019 to 14.5 percent in 2024, while the figure for five or more Highers in S6 rose from 23.9 percent to 27.2 percent over the same period.

Around 145,000 students across Scotland – the highest since 2015 – have achieved a wide range of qualifications including National 5, Highers, Advanced Highers and SQA Awards.

Nationally, pass rates have fallen across the board, with the biggest drop in A to C grades for Advanced Highers, falling from 79.8 percent in 2023 to 75.3 percent, compared with 79.4 percent in 2019.

The Higher A-C attainment fell from 77.1 percent in 2023 to 74.9 percent this year, compared with 74.8 percent pre-pandemic. For National 5 exams the rate also dropped from 78.8 percent in 2023 to 77.2 percent, compared with 78.2 percent in 2019.

The SQA has pointed out there have been different approaches to marking in each year since 2019 and that “comparisons of attainment between years should be treated with significant caution and do not allow for meaningful conclusions to be drawn."

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A record 90,045 vocational and technical qualifications have been awarded this year, an increase of almost 25 percent on 2024.

The results also show that the poverty attainment gap, between the exam results of those from the most affluent and the most deprived parts of Scotland, has increased compared with last year and before the pandemic.

For example, the Higher pass rates for pupils from richest and poorest areas was 17.2 percent, up from 16 percent last year and 16.9 percent in 2019.

Councillor Cannon added: “The most important headline is that our young people are achieving to the best of their ability and with the vast majority staying on for S6, leaving school equipped with the qualifications and skills for their next stage.

“And a shout out to all our teachers and school staff who have helped make the results a success story for Glasgow.”

 She said: “I do know that not everyone will be happy with their results, and I would urge any young person in this situation to speak to their school and discuss options.

“It is a valuable life lesson to learn that not everything goes to plan – what is important is how you navigate around these curve balls.

“There is no wrong path and I want to pay credit to Glasgow’s young people today – you are brilliant and keep shining bright.”

Anyone who did not receive the results they had hoped for, or who is unsure about their next steps, should call the Skills Development Scotland helpline on 0808 100 8000.