6 days ago
How Glasgow's pupils performed in the 2025 SQA exams
Councillor Christina Cannon, the city's education convener, said the figures show 'solid and steady progress' and added: 'I know that our secondary schools will be delighted for their pupils.'
The number of pupils in the city achieving five or more Highers in S5 has stayed almost the same as last year – 14.4% compared to 14.5% in 2024 – while the number receiving five or more Highers in sixth year dipped from 27.2% in 2024 to 26% this year.
Councillor Cannon said: 'There has been a tiny dip in five-plus Highers for S5 pupils but at 0.1 percentage points it is not yet a concern, and we will begin constructive discussions with all secondary schools and dig into the school level results.'
Headteacher Ruth McConachie (Image: Mark F Gibson / Newsquest)
Around 147,000 students across the country received their grades in National, Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications and vocational awards today (August 5) in what education chiefs are calling a 'landmark year' of achievement and success.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) - which will be replaced by Qualifications Scotland in December - confirmed that the 2024-2025 session resulted in a rise in overall attainment rates and a narrowing of the poverty-related attainment gap, while the total number of vocational and technical qualifications – the skills-based awards that unlock training and career opportunities – passed 100,000 for the first time ever.
Councillor Cannon said: 'The good news for Glasgow's young people is the overall attainment and achievement in the city continues to make solid and steady progress across indicators at each year group.
'There was a significant rise in Advanced Higher attainment this year, with our S6 young people achieving one or more up by 1.4%, and in our S4 National 5 results – up 1.3% for five or more and 1.6% for one or more.'
Councillor Cannon, who joined Cabinet Secretary for Education Jenny Gilruth at King's Park Secondary to speak to pupils about their experiences, added: 'We must not forget the commitment of all our teachers and school staff who have helped make the results a success story for Glasgow.
'As we have said many times, there is no wrong path, and I want to pay credit to Glasgow's young people today. You are brilliant, resilient, dedicated and deserve the very best.'
Whitehill Secondary pupils Kacey Wilson, Narjis Al-Kabbawi, Mohammed Bhatti, Andrew Craig and Alexis Main (Image: Mark F Gibson / Newsquest)
Pupils at Whitehill Secondary in Dennistoun also celebrated exam success on Tuesday (August 5).
Alexis Main, who is in S4, achieved five As and two Bs in her National 5s.
"I was absolutely delighted, and my mum was really proud," she said. "I didn't think I had done very well so I was relieved. My plan is to study musical theatre at the RCS - that's my goal."
Education secretary Jenny Gilruth with some of the King's Park Secondary pupils (Image: PA) Whitehill Secondary headteacher Rosie McConachie said: "I am delighted for our young people and the school staff.
'The results today are a reflection of how well we all work together as a team and deliver for our young people.
'I am so proud when I hear the young people talking about their learning journeys – whichever pathway they have chosen – and about their plans for the future.'
