Hermitage Academy’s exam results have beaten the national average – and shown an improvement on the last time an exam diet was held.
Figures have revealed that the Higher pass rate at the Helensburgh school in 2022 was 85% – more than 6% above the national average and a 7% leap on the school’s rate from 2019.
Higher results cross Scotland were below the 2020 and 2021 figures, when because of Covid-19 exams were not held, and these figures are not included in an Argyll and Bute Council report.
The Advanced Higher rate of 87% was also 5.7% above the national average, and also a 7% improvement for the school from three years ago.
The National 5 pass rate was 85% against a national average of 80.8%, and an improvement for the school of 1%.
In line with all nine other Argyll and Bute Council-run secondary schools, 100% of pupils taking National 4s achieved a pass, just as they all did in 2019. The Scotland-wide average was 86.1 per cent.
As a whole, Argyll and Bute’s National 4, Higher and Advanced Higher pass rates were greater than the national average, but the National 5 pass rate was below it.
A report detailing the results for all the council’s secondary schools will go before its community services committee at its meeting on Thursday.
Executive director Douglas Hendry said: “As a result of the cancellation of examinations in 2020 and 2021, and the adoption of an assessment model based on teacher judgement and demonstrated attainment, it is not valid to compare these two years with either 2019 or 2022 results.
“The most valid comparison for 2022 results is with 2019 – the last time awards were decided by examination.
“Overall, percentage pass rate data should be interpreted very carefully as schools have positive presentation policies that are designed to encourage pupils to achieve success at the highest level of qualification that they can.
“In some instances, and for some pupils, this may mean that they receive a D grade within a qualification level, which is a recognised award.
“It is also the policy in Argyll and Bute, as with other local authorities, that full discussion and consideration of both pupil and parent views are reflected in the final decision to continue with a course and to sit the external examination.
“This policy may result in circumstances where pupils are given the opportunity to attempt a level that they may find challenging, as it may be their last opportunity to do so, for example in S6.
“Schools will offer these pupils the opportunity to sit the exam to improve their positive destination chances, for example, access to Higher or Further Education.”
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