Pupils at private schools in Scotland have enjoyed a strong performance in this year’s exams.
Data released by the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) shows pass rates at Higher and Advanced Higher well above the average performance of state schools.
SCIS director John Edward said: “Pupils and teachers are to be congratulated for their hard work. At Higher and Advanced Higher level more than 90% of pupils achieved A-C passes, which is a fantastic achievement, especially when you consider that most independent schools admit children of mixed abilities.
“An important factor in pupils’ exam success is that independent schools have the freedom to offer whichever curriculum and qualifications they believe best meet the needs of their pupils, provide breadth and depth of learning, and preparation for future studies and work.”
Most independent schools offer the same exams as state schools but some offer alternatives, such as A levels at Glenalmond College in Perthshire and the International Baccalaureate at St Leonards in Fife.
They also have the ability to promote particular subjects in a way that state schools may find difficult. For example, this year saw a 12.3% increase in pupils at SCIS members taking Higher French compared with a 9.6% decline nationally.
Mr Edward said: “This year’s SQA results, combined with those at A-level and the International Baccalaureate, recognise the purposeful learning environment that exists at Scotland’s independent schools.
“It’s evident that our schools are keeping faith with a breadth of subjects and bucking the national trend, notably in modern languages such as French.”
In mainstream independent schools not including the special sector there was a 93% pass rate for Highers taken by S5 pupils, with 56% of them earning an A.
Among S6 pupils the pass rate at Advanced Higher was 92%, with 49% being As. There was a significant rise in the number of Advanced Highers sat, with pupils at independent schools making up a sixth of the Scottish total.
The numbers sitting Intermediate 2 exams also rose, which the SCIS speculates could be an indication of a shift in exam choice ahead of the introduction of the new National courses.