SQA School Examination Results 2023
Argyll and Bute Council · 24 August 2023
Back to Community Services Committee — 24 August 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION SERVICE 24 AUGUST 2023 SQA SCHOOL EXAMINATION RESULTS 2023 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide an update to elected members on the initial outcome of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) 2023 examination diet for young people in Argyll and Bute. 1.2 Following the release of the initial examination results by the SQA in August, awards for pupils in academic year 2022/23 will be updated by the SQA in September 2023 following the processing of appeal requests submitted by candidates or schools. As a consequence of the decisions associated with these requests, minor changes to the statistical data contained within this report may occur. 1.3 It is recommended that the Community Services Committee: I. Notes the guidance from the SQA, detailed below at 4.3, about qualitative comparisons of data over the last four years. II. Notes the outcome of the initial SQA examination results for pupils in academic year 2022/23, and that the performance of Argyll and Bute Schools in 2023 is above the current national performance in SQA examinations in two of the four measures (National 4 and Higher) at A-C, and above all four measures (National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher) at A-D. III. Requests that the Executive Director provide further reports to the Community Services Committee to allow the consideration of updated statistical school and national information, scheduled to be released by Insight (school data analysis tool) in September 2023 and February 2024.
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2 ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION 24 AUGUST 2023 SQA SCHOOL EXAMINATION RESULTS 2023 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 On 3rd August 2023 the Council received SQA examination results for all pupils entered for National Qualifications in session 2022/23. This provided initial information on the outcome of examination performance for all pupils in each of the ten Argyll and Bute secondary schools. 2.2 The purpose of this report is to inform Elected Members of the initial outcome of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) 2023 awards for young people in Argyll and Bute. A range of statistical information is provided illustrating performance of pupils across the four National Qualification measures: National 4 National 5 Higher Advanced Higher As has been the case in previous years, all data in this initial attainment report has been sourced from SEEMiS Business Intelligence Course Awards data. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that the Community Services Committee: I. Notes the guidance from the SQA, detailed below at 4.3, about qualitative comparisons of data over the last four years. II. Notes the outcome of the initial SQA examination results for pupils in academic year 2022/23, and that the performance of Argyll and Bute Schools in 2023 is above the current national performance in SQA examinations in two of the four measures (National 4 and Higher) at A-C, and above all four measures (National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher) at A-D. III. Requests that the Executive Director provide further reports to the Community Services Committee to allow the consideration of updated statistical school and national information, scheduled to be released by Insight (school data analysis tool) in September 2023 and February 2024.
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3 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 Pupils in each of the ten secondary schools in Argyll and Bute in S4–S6 were presented for a range of SQA qualifications in May and June of 2023. Following the release of awards, Education Services conducted an initial analysis of the results to support the preparation of a summary report for presentation to and consideration by Elected Members. 4.2 This paper presents a summary overview of the examination outcomes and draws comparisons of the overall attainment of pupils in Argyll and Bute with pupils nationally. 4.3 Although details of SQA attainment data in 2019 and 2022 are supplied in this paper, and some comparisons have been drawn to aid contextualisation of this year’s attainment data, it is important to note the guidance of the SQA regarding the drawing of conclusions about educational performance over the last four years. In the edition of SQA News dated 8th August 2023, SQA state: "The 2023 results are between 2019 – the last exam year before the pandemic – and 2022, when a ‘generous approach’ was applied to awarding for the first year of the return to exams” “There have been different approaches to awarding in each year since 2019. This means that comparisons of attainment between years should be treated with significant caution and do not allow for conclusions to be drawn on changes in education performance during this time.” 4.4 For A-C grades, the performance of Argyll and Bute schools in 2023 is above the current National performance in SQA examinations in two of the four national measures: National 4 and Higher. Table 1 below present the overall performance of candidates in Argyll and Bute across all course levels at Grades A-C, and, for context, compares attainment in the three academic years 2019, 2022 and 2023. It also compares 2023 Argyll and Bute A-C attainment with 2023 national attainment. 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, 2021 and 2022 results have not been included.
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4 Table 1– A-C Awards 2019, 2022, 2023 – A&B/National – National 4, National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher Summary: Our National 4 pass rate is 100% for the 8th year in succession. This is 12.20% above the 2023 national measure of 87.80% Our National 5 A-C pass rate has reduced by 2.50% on 2019. It is below the 2023 national measure for National 5 by 1.87%. Our Higher A-C pass rate is above 2019’s figure by 3.93%. Argyll and Bute’s A-C Higher pass rate is above the 2023 national measure by 0.02%. Our Advanced Higher A-C pass rate is above 2019’s figure by 3.77%. Argyll and Bute’s 2023 A-C Advanced Higher pass rate is marginally below the 2023 national measure by 0.36%. 4.5 For A-D grades, the performance of Argyll and Bute schools in 2022 is above the current National performance in SQA examinations in all four of the national measures: National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher. Table 2 below present the overall performance of candidates in Argyll and Bute across all course levels at Grades A-D, and, for context, compares attainment in the three academic years 2019, 2022 and 2023. It also compares 2023 Argyll and Bute A-D attainment with 2023 national attainment. As with A-C awards, it is not valid to include comparisons with 2020 and 2021 for the reasons detailed above. 2018 - 2019 2021 - 2022 2022 - 2023 2022 - 2023 A&B Attainment A-C % A&B Attainment A-C% A&B Attainment A-C % National Attainment A-C % Difference A&B 18/19 - 22/23 Difference A&B 21/22 - 22/23 Difference A&B 22/23 to National A-C Nat 4 100% 100% 100% 87.80% 0.00% 0.00% +12.20% Nat 5 79.43% 78.62% 76.93% 78.80% -2.50% -1.69% -1.87% Higher 73.19% 79.51% 77.12% 77.10% +3.93% -2.38% +0.02% Adv H 75.68% 83.72% 79.44% 79.80% +3.77% -4.28% -0.36%
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5 Table 2 – A-D Awards 2019, 2022, 2023 – A&B/National – National 4, National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher Summary: As noted previously, our National 4 pass rate is 100% for the 8th year in succession . Our National 5 A-D pass rate has reduced by 1.33% on 2019. The Argyll and Bute figure of 90.67% is above the 2023 national measure by 0.17%. Our Higher A-D pass rate has increased on 2019 by 0.70%. Argyll and Bute’s figure is 1.57% above the 2023 national figure. Our Advanced Higher A-D pass rate has increased by 5.39% on 2019. This is above the 2023 Advanced Higher national average by 0.33%. 4.6 Tables 3 and 4 present the overall performance of Argyll and Bute Secondary Schools (table 3 A-C, table 4 A-D) across all course levels between the academic years 2019 and 2023 (excluding 2020 and 2021), allowing each school to be compared with the Argyll and Bute average attainment figure and the national average attainment figure. Table 3 – SQA data for Individual secondary schools – National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher 2019, 2022, 2023 – A-C Grades 2018 - 2019 2021 - 2022 2022 - 2023 2022 - 2023 A&B Attainment A-D % A&B Attainment A-D% A&B Attainment A-D % National Attainment A-D % Difference A&B 18/19 - 22/23 Difference A&B 21/22 - 22/23 Difference A&B 22/23 to National A-D Nat 4 100% 100% 100% 87.80% 0.00% 0.00% +12.20% Nat 5 92.00% 91.78% 90.67% 90.50% -1.33% -1.11% +0.17% Higher 91.38% 92.62% 92.07% 90.50% +0.70% -0.55% +1.57% Adv H 87.64% 96.51% 93.03% 92.70% +5.39% -3.48% +0.33% Diet Year Course CGS DGS HA IHS LJC OHS RA Tar A Ti HS To HS A&B National 2023 NAT 4 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 87.8% 2022 NAT 4 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 86.1% 2019 NAT 4 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 88.5% 2023 NAT 5 75.1% 77.4% 78.8% 88.4% 73.9% 77.1% 71.0% 79.9% 65.7% 70.2% 76.9% 78.8% 2022 NAT 5 71% 79% 85% 86% 76% 75% 78% 66% 61% 78% 78% 80.8% 2019 NAT 5 73% 84% 84% 85% 79% 74% 66% 88% 68% 81% 79% 78.2%
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6 Table 4 – SQA data for Individual secondary schools – National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher 2019, 2022, 2023 – A-D Grades Key to School abbreviations CGS Campbeltown Grammar School DGS Dunoon Grammar School HA Hermitage Academy IHS Islay High School LJC Lochgilphead Joint Campus OHS Oban High School RJC Rothesay Joint Campus TAR A Tarbert Academy TI HS Tiree High School TO HS Tobermory High School Summary: In 2023, all 10 secondary schools maintained their 100% pass rate for National 4 outperforming the national measure. At A-C, three of our secondary schools were equal with or above the 2023 national average measure for National 5. At A-D, five of our secondary schools were equal with or above the 2023 national average measure for National 5. At A-C, four of our secondary schools were above the 2023 national average 2023 Higher 68.1% 79.5% 80.5% 90.9% 75.1% 79.2% 65.8% 57.7% 50.0% 68.8% 77.1% 77.1% 2022 Higher 73% 78% 85% 85% 82% 75% 71% 64% 76% 91% 80% 78.9% 2019 Higher 67% 76% 78% 73% 70% 71% 54% 67% 50% 77% 73% 74.8% 2023 Adv H 64.3% 83.3% 78.7% 75.0% 71.7% 88.5% 81.8% 81.8% NP* 80.0% 79.4% 79.8% 2022 Adv H 77% 73% 87% 95% 76% 85% 74% 100% NP* 100% 84% 81.3% 2019 Adv H 80% 70% 80% 82% 94% 52% 76% 67% 33% 77% 76% 79.4% Diet Year Course CGS DGS HA IHS LJC OHS RA Tar A Ti HS To HS A&B National 2023 NAT 4 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 87.8% 2022 NAT 4 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 86.1% 2019 NAT 4 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 88.5% 2023 NAT 5 90.5% 90.3% 91.8% 97.1% 89.0% 90.9% 87.3% 91.0% 88.6% 86.9% 90.7% 90.5% 2022 NAT 5 87.9% 92.1% 95.4% 96.5% 90.0% 90.2% 91.8% 83.2% 76.3% 90.7% 91.8% 92.1% 2019 NAT 5 90.3% 92.8% 93.8% 96.4% 92.5% 89.9% 84.5% 97.7% 82.4% 93.2% 92.0% 90.7% 2023 Higher 88.9% 95.3% 92.1% 98.7% 88.9% 93.4% 86.6% 90.4% 87.5% 89.1% 92.1% 90.5% 2022 Higher 89.2% 91.7% 94.4% 96.8% 94.4% 90.8% 91.3% 86.6% 94.1% 96.6% 92.6% 91.5% 2019 Higher 88.2% 92.6% 93.3% 95.8% 89.0% 89.9% 84.4% 89.3% 75.0% 93.5% 91.4% 89.9% 2023 Adv H 92.9% 91.7% 92.6% 100.0% 91.3% 96.2% 81.8% 100% NP* 100% 93.0% 92.7% 2022 Adv H 96.2% 100% 99.3% 94.7% 89.7% 89.6% 94.7% 100% NP* 100% 96.5% 93.4% 2019 Adv H 80.0% 87.0% 86.9% 100% 100% 69.0% 100% 100% 100.0% 92.3% 87.6% 87.8%
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7 measure for Higher. At A-D, four of our secondary schools were above the 2023 national average measure for Higher. At A-C, five of our secondary schools were above the 2023 national average for Advanced Higher. At A-D, five of our secondary schools were above the 2023 national average for Advanced Higher. One school did not present at this level. It should be noted that, as a result of the small number of presentations for Advanced Higher, statistical variance at this level must be carefully interpreted. For example, 100% pass rate can be as a result of one pupil being presented for a subject at Advanced Higher. 4.7 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. 4.8 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, such as access to Higher or Further Education. 4.9 As a Local Authority we offer a wide range of opportunities that help to meet the needs of our individual learners, whilst also supporting a variety of pathways into secure, sustainable positive destinations. The results reported within this briefing note do not include the following presentations for our young people at this time: 1) College courses at levels 4, 5 and 6 2) National Progression Awards (NPA) at levels 4, 5 and 6 3) Skills for Work Awards at levels 4, 5 and 6 4) Foundation Apprenticeships at level 6 5) Presentation of S3 pupils at levels 4 and 5 In recent years such qualifications and accreditations have increased individual school attainment levels considerably, once added after the release of Insight data in February. Final attainment and achievement cannot be measured until this time. 5.0 Appeals 5.1 The SQA Appeals Service for 2023 provides learners with the opportunity to request a
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8 marking review if they have concerns about their certificated grade. The appeals service is free and open for learners to appeal either directly to SQA, or through their school. Candidates who have concerns about their grade and think there may have been an error with the marking of their exam question paper(s) or coursework, can request a marking review by SQA. This is different to the 2022 appeals service as alternative assessment evidence (e.g. prelim evidence from schools) will not be submitted or considered. The SQA marking review checks that: all parts of SQA assessments have been marked; the marking is in line with national standards; the marks given for each answer have been added up correctly; and the correct result has been entered on the SQA system. Following review, the candidate’s grade can go up, stay the same, or go down. Priority Appeals continue to be available to those with university, college or employment offers pending. SQA have sent directly to every candidate a copy of their Appeals Process Guidance. 6.0 CONCLUSION 6.1 This report presents a summary of the initial analysis of the 2023 SQA external examination outcomes for Argyll and Bute pupils at authority level and in each of the
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9 ten secondary schools. 6.2 In 2023 the performance of Argyll and Bute schools compared positively with national measures. For results at A-C and A-D, Argyll and Bute attainment is higher than the national average for six out of eight measures. 6.3 The Education Service are taking forward a programme of support and challenge with schools across the authority, involving a range of actions and measures to support schools to secure further improvement in examination outcomes for pupils. In the autumn, all secondary schools will participate in an Attainment Meeting with the Executive Director, Heads of Education and the Education Manager and Officer, at which HTs will present in-depth analysis of all aspects of their schools’ attainment, and indicate key areas of focus for improvement. 6.4 A further report on Educational Attainment and Wider Achievement will be presented to Community Services Committee in December 2023 following the publication of updated national performance information on Insight released in September of each year. 7.0 IMPLICATIONS 7.1 Policy: This report links directly to Outcome 3 in the Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan: Education, Skills and Training Maximise Opportunities for All 7.2 Financial: None. 7.3 Personnel: None. 7.4 Equal Opportunities: None. 7.5 Legal: None. 7.6 Climate Change None. 7.7 Risk: The performance of Argyll and Bute schools in national examinations can significantly enhance or detract from the Council’s reputation and attractiveness as an area to work and live in. 7.8 Customer Services: This report provides Elected Members with an overview of Service Performance. Douglas Hendry - Executive Director with responsibility for Education Councillor Yvonne McNeilly - Policy Lead for Education For further information contact:
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10 Wendy Brownlie, Head of Service: Education (Learning and Teaching) Oban Education Office, Oban Email: wendy.brownlie @argyll-bute.gov.uk Telephone: 01369 707118 Simon Easton, Education Manager (Senior Phase) Helensburgh Civic Centre, Helensburgh Email: simon.easton@argyll-bute.gov.uk Telephone: 01436 657681