PUPILS across Dumbarton and the Vale received their eagerly awaited exam results on Tuesday - and the Reporter was there to talk to some of them about their plans for the future.
In West Dunbartonshire, a total of 77% of Highers taken by S5 and S6 pupils were passed, while 80% of National 5 exams were successful.
The pass rate across the region for Advanced Highers was 72% and 66% for National 4 results.
Many of the youngsters who received their results either by text, email, or post are now looking forward to the future whether that be continuing on at school, moving to college or university, or work.
William Lang, 17, has just completed his sixth year at Dumbarton Academy and told the Reporter he is looking forward to studying maths at the University of Glasgow in September.
He said: “This year was a bit strange to be honest because this is my last year at high school and my first year sitting proper exams.
“I’m feeling very relieved. I’m going to Glasgow University to study maths which I’m very much looking forward to.”
Jack Oliver, 17, is now moving into his sixth year at the school after achieving 5As in his Higher exams.
The 17-year-old enjoys music and is currently studying jazz at the Junior Conservatoire, something he hopes to continue after he leaves school.
Jack added: “I thought this year went well. It was very different to last year as I think last we had to consolidate quite a lot with learning at home whereas this year we were definitely in school most of the time.
“Next year, I’m studying Advanced Higher maths and chemistry as well as Higher biology but I’m enrolled with the Junior Conservatoire so I’m studying jazz music.
“I’m thinking about studying jazz music at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow when I leave school.”
Alison Boyles, head teacher at Dumbarton Academy said: “We’re very relieved, very happy, and delighted for our young people.
“They’ve had such a rough ride because no matter which stage they are at, it’s the first time they’ve sat exams so there’s always that kind of angst that you have for them ‘are they going to cope?’ Because they’ve not done this before and for sixth-year pupils the stakes are high.
“So we are very delighted and it’s just so nice to be able to celebrate their achievements and have them recognised.”
At Dumbarton Academy, creative pupils delivered a 100% pass rate in art & design, and music.
Eilidh Johnstone completed her sixth year at Vale of Leven Academy and is now heading to St Andrews in less than three weeks time to study geology.
The 17-year-old said: “I’m feeling quite excited, there are only three weeks left until I move. This year went alright, it was good to be back in the classroom, exams maybe not so much but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”
Kobi McPhail told the Reporter he is leaving school after finishing his fourth year at Vale of Leven Academy and looks forward to his future after securing a place on the BAE programme in Govan.
The 16-year-old added: “It is a pretty good opportunity for me because I was originally just going to leave school and then the school suggested to me to look at the BAE programme.
“I did some research into it and I just thought ‘let’s do it!’ It seems like if I do well it could be a lifetime job so I’m happy that I got into that and hopefully if I do well with BAE it might take me somewhere in the future.”
Ellie Docherty is also leaving the school after completing sixth year. The 18-year-old is going to study midwifery at the University of the West of Scotland.
She said: “I can’t wait. I got all of the qualifications I needed last year so I picked and cashed subjects this year.
“This year was different because we weren’t off at all for Covid or anything but I just had fun with my friends because I had everything that I needed.”
Matthew Boyle, head teacher at Vale of Leven Academy said: “We’re very relieved that things are normalising, as a school we need normality now.
“We worked so hard on attendance during a period of time where nationally in the UK attendance had been hit hard.
“We just believe so strongly that kids in our area need school, they need futures, we are so passionate about that, so normal works for us.”
National 4 pupils at Vale of Leven Academy achieved a 100 percent pass rate in 20 subjects including English, maths, and history.
And, across the region, 94% of students presented got at least one qualification.
Councillor Clare Steel, convener of educational services, commented: “West Dunbartonshire’s pupils should be extremely proud of their achievements in these examinations.
“To undertake formal examinations for the first time, and deliver results that match the standards set before everyone’s world changed is testament to their hard work and determination, not to mention their resilience.
“Credit is also due to the teachers and school staff who have worked tirelessly to support them to make the most of their future.”
Councillor Michelle McGinty, vice convener of educational services, said: “For many of these pupils this will have been their first experience of sitting formal final exams, so for them to deliver this kind of performance – particularly at Higher level – is a tremendous achievement.
“I want to congratulate all our pupils on their hard work this year and wish them every success in the future.”
Laura Mason, the authority's chief education officer, added: “We are proud of all of our pupils whose hard work throughout the year has seen them achieve such good results. These now allow them to move on to the next stage of their education – be that another year of school, university, college or an apprenticeship.
“Our goal now is to continue improving attainment and ensure every young person in West Dunbartonshire is supported to fulfill their potential.
“My thanks go to all our teaching and support staff who go above and beyond to support our young people.”
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