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SQA Results Day For Western Isles Young People

SQA Results Day For Western Isles Young People

Today is results day for students across the country that undertook national qualifications through the Scottish Qualifications Authority in 2025, including pupils from schools across the Western Isles.

This year, 525 pupils across our four secondary schools were presented for 2,656 different awards and qualifications and today’s results confirm an overall pass rate in the Western Isles of 80.2% across all levels and courses.

Initial analysis of qualification data published today indicates that:

  • 100% of pupils presented for awards at National 2, 3 and 4 successfully achieved them.
  • A smaller S4-6 cohort, with 14% less students than the previous year, resulted in presentations reducing by 6.8% compared to last year. The number of presentations per pupil did, however, increase significantly, evidencing that pupils are being presented for more awards in 2025.
  • Strong performance at S4 in National 5 awards saw pass rates of 82.9%, with young people performing well at this level across all schools.
  • Passes at Higher for S5 and S6 increased by 2.6% and presentations at this level increased by 12% across all schools, again indicating more pupils achieving more awards at this level.
  • The percentage of pupils in S5-6 achieving five or more awards at SCQF6 (Higher equivalent) increased by 2.7%. In S5 alone, the increase in five or more awards at this level was 4.2%.

Data also indicates a reduction in presentations for Advanced Higher and an equivalent reduction in passes at this level. Comhairle officers and school staff will undertake a thorough analysis of the results in detail to identify and address any issues highlighted.

In addition to today’s SQA results, national data indicates that our schools continue to be very effective in preparing our children and young people for the future. Comhairle schools are able to report some of the highest positive post-school outcomes in Scotland with 97.8% of our leavers being in a positive destination after leaving school. Similarly, the rate of young people in the Western Isles participating in education, employment or training is the amongst the highest in Scotland at 96.8%, well above the national average of 92.7%. These measures are important indicators of the effectiveness of our education system.

Cllr Paul Finnegan, Chairman of the Education, Skills and Children’s Services Committee, said: 

“I am pleased to offer the congratulations of the Comhairle to all our children and young people that are receiving successful results today. I am pleased to see that so many of you continue to excel and achieve such strong results. All our young people should be proud of their achievements. To anyone who did not get the results they had hoped for today, I ask you to be positive. Exam results are only a part of your learning journey and there will be many other opportunities and chances in the year ahead and our staff and partner services are there to support you.”  

Donald Macleod, Chief Officer for Education & Children’s Services, said:

“I offer my congratulations to all the young people who successfully achieved awards today and wish them well now as they move to the next stage of their learning, training or work. I know that the successes we’ve seen today have stemmed from hard work and commitment over this and previous years in education and, as well as congratulating the pupils themselves, I want to thank sincerely, the staff, parents and carers that support them each and every year of their education.

Whilst we celebrate the successes in today’s SQA results, I also want to recognise the many other achievements of the young people in our schools, whether that is through our growing Foundation Apprenticeship programme, other applied learning courses or in the fields of sport, music, culture or community service. Our community has a generation of successful young people to be very proud of.”

Results Helpline

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We understand that some pupils may not have received the results that had been hoped for today and our school staff are available to provide support and guidance. As well as contacting schools directly, pupils can also seek advice and help in the following ways:

Local Drop-in and e-Mail Support Sessions

The Comhairle’s employability team are hosting a number of post-exam drop-in sessions throughout the Western Isles. Exam result support will be available to any pupil, or parent, on a drop-in basis who wishes to discuss future opportunities and career paths upon receiving their exam results:

Stornoway

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Developing the Young Workforce Outer Hebrides, Skills Development Scotland and UHI NWH will be in Stornoway Town Hall on Wednesday 6th August from 10am to 3pm and Thursday 7th August from 1pm to 5pm to discuss options for pupils who have received their exam results.

Lionacleit

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Developing the Young Workforce Outer Hebrides and Cothrom will be in Lionacleit Education Centre on Wednesday 6th August and Thursday 7th August from 9am to 5pm, to discuss further options.

Tarbert

Sir E Scott pupils can contact employability@cne-siar.gov.uk to arrange discussions with DYW Outer Hebrides and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar staff and are welcome to attend the Stornoway drop-in sessions.

Castlebay

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Developing the Young Workforce Outer Hebrides and Cothrom will be at the UHI Castlebay Campus from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday 6th August.