PUPILS and parents across Dumbarton and the Vale celebrated a range of excellent individual achievements in this year’s Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) exams.

In a press release, West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) said 98 per cent of students at National 4 and 93 per cent of pupils at National 5 exams gained an award.

The council hailed the “record” results, where performance in literacy and numeracy improved with 100 per cent of pupils at National 2, 100 per cent of pupils at National 3 and 99 per cent of students at National 4 attaining qualifications.

Our Lady and St Patrick’s pupil Lauren McIntyre, 16, was delighted after getting 5 A’s at Higher and getting the results she needed to study be accepted into chemical engineering at Strathclyde University.

“It was very stressful because I had conditions to meet,” she said.

She was inspired to pursue engineering, an industry in desperate need of more women, by her brother, who is studying it at Heriot Watt University.

“I’ll be stealing all his notes,” she said. “Hopefully he will give me a hand.”

Proud parent John Nicolson was delighted with his daughter, Our Lady and St Patrick’s pupil Lauryn Nicolson, who received eight A-grades at National 5.

“Lauryn worked hard and set high standards academically for herself without any pressure from us,” John said.

“Our only input to our kids is that hard work pays off and if you want something that much, you will achieve it.”

And 18-year-old Vale of Leven Academy pupil Gregor Hill said his parents were “delighted” with his results – but he wasn’t too bothered because he’s already self-employed with his own burgeoning gardening company.

Dumbarton Academy’s Sophie Mackinnon, 16, will also be leaving school for an apprenticeship with Aggreko.

“I went on work experience last year and they showed me what apprentices do,” she said. “I wanted to do something with physics.

“I was really happy with my results, although I celebrated more getting my apprenticeship.”

Laura Mason, chief education officer, said: “These results are also testimony to our dedicated teaching staff who continue to motivate and inspire students.

“I want to thank [the] SQA for their running of this exam diet.

“Over the last five years we have made steady progress in raising attainment across West Dunbartonshire and we are all committed to maintaining that focus going forward and ensuring that all of our young people reach their potential.”

Advanced Higher results were the best ever in West Dunbartonshire – 77 per cent of pupils passed – although Ms. Mason conceded that “there is still some way to go” to meet the Scottish national average pass rate of 81.7 per cent.

Results at Higher also fell slightly to 75 per cent, one year after an improvement of five per cent. The Scottish average also fell by two per cent but the national standard still eluded West Dunbartonshire.

Ms Mason said long-term, the trends in West Dunbartonshire were positive, especially given the area’s high levels of deprivation.

“In West Dunbartonshire, we have to realise it is an area where there’s deprivation and we need to make sure our young people are getting the opportunities and the best chances they can get,” she said. “Where you live, your circumstances, ought not to determine what your potential is.”

A full evaluation of this year’s results compared to previous years will be conducted later in the year when a breakdown of results is released by the council. possible because West Dunbartonshire Council only provides a selective snapshot of pupils’ results, focused entirely on the positives. A spokesperson declined to give any further figures.

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said: “Congratulations to all of the young people in Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven for setting new records in this year’s exams. Families across West Dunbartonshire will have plenty of reasons to celebrate and I am delighted that the hard work of pupils, parents and teachers over the past year has achieved such great results.

“It’s also important to remind those students who did not get the results they wanted this time that there are lots of other opportunities out there. You can call Skills Development Scotland’s Exam Results Helpline on 0808 100 8000 or follow their updates on social media for useful updates on college and university courses, apprenticeships, employment and volunteering.”

Cllr Michelle McGinty, convener of educational services, said: “These results are evidence of the hard work and commitment of our young people and the dedication of our teaching staff.

“All of our school pupils should feel rightly proud of their achievements today.

“For me the highlights of these results are the literacy and numeracy figures which show we are equipping our young people with the vital skills they need to succeed in adult life whatever career path they choose.”

Cllr John Mooney, depute convener of educational services, added: “We’re determined to ensure all of our young people realise their ambitions and each year we strive to increase the opportunities for students to achieve.

“For many these results mark the final chapter of their time at school and they move to the world of work or further study. I want to congratulate all our pupils on their achievements this year and wish them every success in future.”