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West Dunbartonshire pupils celebrate exam results as 95% gain qualifications

Daily Record

9 hours ago

Daily Record

West Dunbartonshire pupils celebrate exam results as 95% gain qualifications

Of almost 10,000 qualifications in West Dunabrtonshire, 95 per cent achieved at least one national qualification. West Dunbartonshire's school pupils were celebrating this week after receiving their highly-anticipated SQA exam results. ‌ More than 2,200 youngsters received their results, from National 4 and 5 to Highers and Advanced Highers. ‌ Students across all seven secondary schools in the area had been hard at work to achieve their qualifications and for many the results signals the completion of their school education, as they progress onto positive next steps, including university and college courses, apprenticeships, and full-time employment. ‌ Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, met with pupils to mark the occasion. She said: 'Our young people have shown incredible determination and resilience in getting to this point. The exam period can be a hugely stressful time, and each and every pupil should be proud of what they've achieved. 'Speaking with pupils today, it was inspiring to hear the range of paths they're taking — from further education to starting apprenticeships. It shows just how many exciting options are open to young people in West Dunbartonshire. I wish them all the very best as they take their next steps.' ‌ Vice Convener Councillor John Millar also praised the students, adding: 'Huge congratulations to all our pupils—your results are a credit to you and testament to your dedication and hard work. 'Whatever your results say today, know that there are many ways to reach your goals. For anyone who may not have received the outcome they hoped for, there is support available and guidance on where to go next.' For support or advice, Skills Development Scotland's Results Helpline is open from 8am on 0808 100 8000. ‌ This year, SQA supplied West Dunbartonshire with results for 9,912 qualifications. Of those, 95% achieved at least one national qualification. At Higher level, 75% of pupils received at least one pass, while 77% of those sitting Advanced Highers achieved a pass. 80% gained at least one National 5 pass and 100% achieved at least one pass at National 4 level. ‌ Notably, in a number of specialist subjects—such as Advanced Higher Art & Design, Graphic Communication, Physical Education and Spanish; Higher Health and Social Care; and National 5 courses including Accounting, Dance, Early Learning & Childcare, Energy, Health Sector, Italian, Media, Laboratory Science, Sport & Recreation and Travel and Tourism — 100% of candidates achieved a passing grade. Chief Education Officer Laura Mason commended both pupils and staff, saying: 'Our pupils should feel a real sense of pride in what they've achieved. These results reflect not just the hard work of young people, but also the dedication of our school staff and the support from families at home. 'We remain committed to helping every young person in West Dunbartonshire reach their full potential. Many of our pupils take part in wider learning opportunities beyond today's exam results, and we look forward to reflecting on their full achievements when the national Insight data is released in September.'

Couple drowned in flash floods on Majorca hike, inquest hears

Leader Live

a day ago

Leader Live

Couple drowned in flash floods on Majorca hike, inquest hears

Climbing instructor and lifeguard Alexander Barrett, 32, tried to help his partner Sarah Thompson, 26, as a 'wall of water' cascaded down the canyon they were descending with a group of other hikers, Stockport Coroner's Court heard. Both were swept to their deaths, with Ms Thompson's body recovered by Spanish search and rescue teams on September 4 last year, the day after the flood. Mr Barrett's body was found on September 6 in the Torrent de Pareis canyon in the Tramuntana mountains. Ms Thompson's father, Peter Thompson, who lives in Berwick-upon-Tweed, said his daughter 'was never without a smile on her face'. She had represented Cumbria at fell running in national competitions, had a degree in photography from Manchester Metropolitan University, and had recently been promoted in the donations team at The Christie hospital in Manchester. Paul Rodman, Mr Barrett's father, said his son 'loved life' and relished the outdoors, from hiking to surfing, adding: 'He was genuinely a good person, a caring person, a kind person. 'The friends and family have developed a little saying, 'Be more like Alex' because that's what we aspire to be. 'He's missed so much by all his friends and family.' The couple, from Offerton, near Stockport, had gone on the informal trip with friends, all hiking and climbing enthusiasts, making their separate ways to Majorca. On the trip was Luke Weaver, who knew Mr Barrett as a friend and climbing instructor at Awesome Walls, an indoor climbing centre in Stockport. 'We all had a mutual passion for climbing and hiking,' he said in a statement read at the inquest. Mr Weaver, on the trip with his partner, said the hike they planned to do, which took three to four hours to complete, was well known globally and known to be 'challenging in places'. He had completed the hike before on several occasions, but neither Ms Thompson nor Mr Barrett had, but he considered it was 'well within the capabilities' of the group, he said. Mr Weaver said he was aware the gorge flooded so he checked the weather forecast on the morning of September 3 last year, which only predicted rain from 6pm, by which time they would be 'well clear'. He added: 'Had I known what was to happen, I would never have let them into the gorge.' Mr Weaver said he dropped the group of friends off for the hike and intended to catch them up after parking his car, but was delayed in heavy traffic by around two hours, before he could begin the hike himself. It had been a hot morning, but a storm had moved in and at around 2.30pm it began to drizzle with rain but Mr Weaver said this did not cause any concern as he continued the hike to meet with his partner and friends ahead of him. But a short time later it started to rain more heavily and he could hear thunder in the distance and he began to quicken his pace. He said as there was no phone signal in the gorge he could not make contact with them. As the downpour grew Mr Weaver said he spotted his friends, who were now with a German couple and two Spanish nationals, in a 'bottleneck' between two boulders. 'At this point the heavens opened,' Mr Weaver said. 'At this time the water was flowing like a small river.' Mr Weaver said he was helping the hikers through the bottleneck and he gestured to Ms Thompson if she was 'OK' and she replied yes but with a 'nervous smile'. He then heard someone shout, 'Water!' 'Seconds later a massive wall of water came down the gorge,' Mr Weaver said. 'The water appeared to come from nowhere. The sound was incredibly loud, people were screaming.' Mr Weaver said he could see one of the group had managed to grab on to a rock while one of the Spanish nationals had been swept into the torrent and was being carried away. His own partner managed to get out of the water and after a few minutes others emerged from the deluge, but Mr Weaver said the noise of the water was too loud to communicate with each other. 'I was shouting and screaming for the others. I could see no-one,' Mr Weaver said. Ms Thompson had been seen being swept away along with her partner, who had tried to help but the current had taken him too, the inquest heard. Later the survivors were airlifted out of the gorge by helicopter, suffering only minor injuries. Mr Weaver added: 'Everyone who survived that day is incredibly lucky, especially those who got caught in the water. 'I have never experienced anything like this and it is something I will never forget.' Post-mortem examinations gave the cause of death as drowning for both the deceased. Jyoti Gill, assistant coroner for Manchester South, recorded a verdict of accidental death caused by drowning for both Ms Thompson and Mr Barrett, whose legal name was Alexander Johnson, but was known by the name Alex Barrett. Ms Gill said the storm had caused flash flooding, sending a large torrent of water down the canyon. 'It appears water dragged Sarah, and Alex had tried to help her,' Ms Gill concluded. 'Sadly, both Sarah and Alex were unable to climb to safety and were swept away by the floodwaters,' she added.

Rhyl Journal

a day ago

Rhyl Journal

Couple drowned in flash floods on Majorca hike, inquest hears

Climbing instructor and lifeguard Alexander Barrett, 32, tried to help his partner Sarah Thompson, 26, as a 'wall of water' cascaded down the canyon they were descending with a group of other hikers, Stockport Coroner's Court heard. Both were swept to their deaths, with Ms Thompson's body recovered by Spanish search and rescue teams on September 4 last year, the day after the flood. Mr Barrett's body was found on September 6 in the Torrent de Pareis canyon in the Tramuntana mountains. Ms Thompson's father, Peter Thompson, who lives in Berwick-upon-Tweed, said his daughter 'was never without a smile on her face'. She had represented Cumbria at fell running in national competitions, had a degree in photography from Manchester Metropolitan University, and had recently been promoted in the donations team at The Christie hospital in Manchester. Paul Rodman, Mr Barrett's father, said his son 'loved life' and relished the outdoors, from hiking to surfing, adding: 'He was genuinely a good person, a caring person, a kind person. 'The friends and family have developed a little saying, 'Be more like Alex' because that's what we aspire to be. 'He's missed so much by all his friends and family.' The couple, from Offerton, near Stockport, had gone on the informal trip with friends, all hiking and climbing enthusiasts, making their separate ways to Majorca. On the trip was Luke Weaver, who knew Mr Barrett as a friend and climbing instructor at Awesome Walls, an indoor climbing centre in Stockport. 'We all had a mutual passion for climbing and hiking,' he said in a statement read at the inquest. Mr Weaver, on the trip with his partner, said the hike they planned to do, which took three to four hours to complete, was well known globally and known to be 'challenging in places'. He had completed the hike before on several occasions, but neither Ms Thompson nor Mr Barrett had, but he considered it was 'well within the capabilities' of the group, he said. Mr Weaver said he was aware the gorge flooded so he checked the weather forecast on the morning of September 3 last year, which only predicted rain from 6pm, by which time they would be 'well clear'. He added: 'Had I known what was to happen, I would never have let them into the gorge.' Mr Weaver said he dropped the group of friends off for the hike and intended to catch them up after parking his car, but was delayed in heavy traffic by around two hours, before he could begin the hike himself. It had been a hot morning, but a storm had moved in and at around 2.30pm it began to drizzle with rain but Mr Weaver said this did not cause any concern as he continued the hike to meet with his partner and friends ahead of him. But a short time later it started to rain more heavily and he could hear thunder in the distance and he began to quicken his pace. He said as there was no phone signal in the gorge he could not make contact with them. As the downpour grew Mr Weaver said he spotted his friends, who were now with a German couple and two Spanish nationals, in a 'bottleneck' between two boulders. 'At this point the heavens opened,' Mr Weaver said. 'At this time the water was flowing like a small river.' Mr Weaver said he was helping the hikers through the bottleneck and he gestured to Ms Thompson if she was 'OK' and she replied yes but with a 'nervous smile'. He then heard someone shout, 'Water!' 'Seconds later a massive wall of water came down the gorge,' Mr Weaver said. 'The water appeared to come from nowhere. The sound was incredibly loud, people were screaming.' Mr Weaver said he could see one of the group had managed to grab on to a rock while one of the Spanish nationals had been swept into the torrent and was being carried away. His own partner managed to get out of the water and after a few minutes others emerged from the deluge, but Mr Weaver said the noise of the water was too loud to communicate with each other. 'I was shouting and screaming for the others. I could see no-one,' Mr Weaver said. Ms Thompson had been seen being swept away along with her partner, who had tried to help but the current had taken him too, the inquest heard. Later the survivors were airlifted out of the gorge by helicopter, suffering only minor injuries. Mr Weaver added: 'Everyone who survived that day is incredibly lucky, especially those who got caught in the water. 'I have never experienced anything like this and it is something I will never forget.' Post-mortem examinations gave the cause of death as drowning for both the deceased. Jyoti Gill, assistant coroner for Manchester South, recorded a verdict of accidental death caused by drowning for both Ms Thompson and Mr Barrett, whose legal name was Alexander Johnson, but was known by the name Alex Barrett. Ms Gill said the storm had caused flash flooding, sending a large torrent of water down the canyon. 'It appears water dragged Sarah, and Alex had tried to help her,' Ms Gill concluded. 'Sadly, both Sarah and Alex were unable to climb to safety and were swept away by the floodwaters,' she added.

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West Dunbartonshire pupils celebrate exam results as 95% gain qualifications

Couple drowned in flash floods on Majorca hike, inquest hears

Couple drowned in flash floods on Majorca hike, inquest hears

Canary Islands hit by fourth power cut in only weeks

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West Dunbartonshire pupils celebrate exam results as 95% gain qualifications

Couple drowned in flash floods on Majorca hike, inquest hears

Couple drowned in flash floods on Majorca hike, inquest hears

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