Rector's praise for top performance pupils

Published 6 Aug 2010 09:30 0 Comments

PUPILS across Peeblesshire have been praised for their performance in this year's exams - which were among the best in the Borders.

Four pupils at Peebles High School scored five straight 'A's in their Scottish Highers, while three students scored straight '1's in their Standard Grades.

And Rector John Brown revealed the results continue to improve year on year.

More than 160,000 students who sat Highers, Standard Grades and other examinations in the summer received their results in the post yesterday (Thursday) - although some students opted to find out their results by text and e-mail a day early.

Congratulating the pupils this week, Mr Brown said: "We have some tremendously talented pupils at this school and many have performed better than expected.

"Some subjects have done exceptionally well both at Standard Grade and at Higher level, although I don't want to say which because I feel that would be unfair on the individual departments. And, individually, the results have also been very good.

"We're doing dramatically better than an inner city school and, in terms of Peebles, there seems to be a marked trend of improvement when looking back at the results over the previous seven years."

But he added: "That's all down to the motivation and enthusiasm of the teachers, as well as the students' hard work."

The Rector believes the wide choice of subjects on offer at the school may be another reason for its success.

He pointed out pupils who sat exams as part of the Skills for Work programme, which offered courses in practical subjects such as childcare and construction at Intermediate One and Two level, had performed "really well".

Mr Brown said: "This is the third year that we have run these courses, and some people may question whether the jobs are there for the pupils to go on to; but the courses we are offering just now are meeting the expectations of the jobs market - there are still jobs for joiners, brickies and hairdressers - and that may be something which helps us stand out from other high schools in the Borders."

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) said this year's overall pass rate at Higher was 74.6 per cent - marginally more than the record set last year.

The pass rate across Standard Grades, generally sat by 15 and 16-year-olds, was also largely similar to 2009.

A National Exam Results helpline has been set up to offer advice on university and college places as well as employment and training opportunities to all students receiving results.

The helpline number is 0808 100 8000. It is operated by staff from Skills Development Scotland, and will be open every day until August 28.

WERE you one of the pupils who scored five straight 'A's in your exams? If so, contact our newsroom in Peebles on 01721 729481.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 06 Aug 10

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