Talented pupils from schools across Dumbarton and the Vale were showing off their exam results last week, as council officials hailed a “fantastic” set of results.

In total, 98 per cent of pupils sitting exams across the region achieved at least one award, with an 81 per cent pass rate in one or more exams at Advanced Higher and 85 per cent of Higher students recording one or more passes.

At the National 5 level, 88 per cent of candidates passed one or more exams, with a 98 per cent rate at National 4 level.

Councillor Karen Conaghan, convener of educational services, said: “The fact that so many of our pupils have achieved one or more qualifications in this year’s exams is fantastic.

“We are committed to ensuring all of our pupils leave our schools with the skills, experience and qualifications they need to succeed in future.

“These results go a long way towards that and are testament to the hard work of our pupils, the support of their parents and carers and the commitment of our education staff.”

After the SQA results were delivered via post, email and text on Tuesday, August 8, the Reporter caught up with students and teachers from each of the local secondaries on Wednesday about their results and exam day experience.

First up, it was a case of “straight A siblings” for a set of sisters at Our Lady and St Patrick’s High in Dumbarton.

Nicola Duncan, 17, achieved four As , including two passes at Advanced Higher level in chemistry and physics.

She was joined by sister Jacqueline, 16, who achieved five A at Highers in subjects including biology, history and maths.

Nicola – who is planning to study medicine at Glasgow University next year – said: “I was nervous because I had conditions to meet for university so was hoping to meet them, but got more than I needed so I was delighted.”

Meanwhile, Jacqueline is aiming to return to school next year and has aspirations about being a veterinarian.

She said: “I was working yesterday and was expecting to wait to find out my results, but then my sister phoned me to tell me her results, so I asked my mum to open mine at my break.

“My family were really happy at the results, and while I was a bit scared about my English exam, I managed to get what I wanted.”

The school’s headteacher, Chris Smith, said: “The results for the school were very positive. In all of the measures we are seeing significant gains and positive outcomes for all of our young people and so we are really pleased with the set of results for OLSP.”

The results day also brought good news for 17-year-old Vale of Leven Academy pupil Arwen Borris, from Bonhill, who is heading off to study product design at the Glasgow School of Art after achieving two Advanced Highers in art and graphics.

Arwen said: “I was nervous for the exams, but not as much as last year. I didn’t really need anything for this year so I think that really took the pressure off, but I still ended up waiting up all night for the text with the results.”

James Stewart, 17, also from Bonhill, also had a very important set of results, which granted him entry into a social care course at West College Scotland, a path he settled on due to experiences in his own family.

He said: “I decided around halfway through fourth year that I wanted to go to college and I settled on social care after my mum got diagnosed with mental health issues and my granddad started struggling with physical disabilities. I just want to help people really.”

And Sophie Wilson, 16, from Dumbarton Academy said she was “really happy” with her results, which puts her in pole position to head to university after completing her HND in Musical Theatre at New College Scotland’s Motherwell campus.

She said: “I waited for the certificate and I was really anxious while I was waiting on it to arrive. When it did come, I was running around the house and scared to open it because I knew I needed three Cs to do what I want to do. Bit when I found out about the results, I was really happy with them.”

Dumbarton Academy headteacher, Claire McInally, said: “We’re pleased with the attainment of our children. We try to look at things differently and look at what the children have achieved by point of exit and ensure that young people have achieved as much as possible by that point.”

Finally, several local pupils attending Lomond School also enjoyed stellar results, including school dux Mark Sullivan, from Cardross, who achieved five As at Higher level.

Schoolmate Emma Dunn, also from Cardross, was another big achiever with nine straight As in her National 5s.

Laura Mason, chief education Officer for West Dunbartonshire Council, said: “As a council we’re delighted that so many of our young people are gaining qualifications and receiving this recognition for their hard work.

“These results are also testimony to our dedicated teaching staff who continue to motivate our students.

“Over the last five years we have made steady progress in raising attainment across West Dunbartonshire and we are all committed to maintaining that focus going forward and ensuring that all of our young people reach their potential. We are particularly pleased that we are steadily closing the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged young people.”