Private schools set new exams record

SCOTLAND'S independent schools achieved record results at Higher in the past year, with half of all pupils achieving an A-grade, new statistics have revealed.

The new data also found that 91 per cent of pupils in the private sector passed their Highers at A-C grade, a rise of 1 per cent on the previous year.

George Heriot's School in Edinburgh topped the league table with 95.6 per cent of candidates passing their Highers. Hutchesons' Grammar in Glasgow came top for the percentage of pupils gaining an A-grade at Higher, at 61.9 per cent.

Although a direct comparison cannot be made between state and private sectors because of the way figures are collated, the results yet again demonstrate the significant gap in attainment between Scotland's state and independent schools.

Half of independent school pupils sitting Highers achieved an A-grade, up 1 per cent from 49 per cent, according to the statistics from the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS).

The overall pass rate, published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) for all schools in Scotland at Higher, was 74.2 per cent.

Eric Wilkinson, professor of education at Glasgow University, said the disparity was not unexpected. He said: "I'm not surprised that the independent sector is delivering higher exam results, because in a sense they deliver a better educational environment.

"Also they do better because parents are more supportive of their children's education.

"The question to ask is what happens after exams. Should universities acknowledge the fact that children from independent schools achieve better results and compensate for that?"

The latest results show the proportion gaining an A at Advanced Higher also rose by a percentage point to 39 per cent, reflecting the growing prestige of the qualification.

However, the number passing Advanced Higher at A-C dropped by 1 per cent to 87 per cent.

Alistair Hector, the headmaster of George Heriot's, said the results were the school's best ever at S5 Higher, and he said the pupils deserved special congratulations.

The school, which is celebrating is 350th anniversary, also did well at Advanced Higher with 89.4 per cent passing at grade A-C.

He said: "To have almost 60 per cent A-grades is magnificent, but the Bs and Cs also include many personal bests for individual pupils, and they are just as praiseworthy."

He attributed the performance to the "outstanding professionalism" of teachers and the enthusiasm, hard work and dedication of the pupils.

St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh had a higher proportion of A-C grades, but it is regarded as a specialist school. It had just eight candidates this year, with 95.7 per cent passing with 60.9 per cent gaining an A-grade.