SQA Exam Results 2021

The school achieved its highest ever pass rate at Higher and Advanced Higher, far exceeding the national averages of 87.3% and 90.2%. At National 5 the school maintained its pass rate of 98%. Two new records were achieved at Higher with an outstanding 76% A grades and 90% of all Higher awards gaining either an A or B.

Principal, Mrs Johanna Urquhart, said:

Given the challenges of the last year and a half, I am thrilled beyond words that our pupils have achieved so highly this academic year in the face of such adversity. I was confident, given the high quality academic and pastoral support at Lomond that our pupils would achieve the results they so richly deserve.

S4 pupils who achieve 6 or more A grades at N5 receive Silver Academic awards, and the school is thrilled to be presenting this award to around 60% of the S4 cohort. Over 40% of this very high achieving year group gained eight or more National 5 awards at A grades. Nearly 70% of the year achieved 6 or more N5 awards at A or B, and three pupils gained an outstanding 9 National 5 awards at A grade.

Ethan Boswell (pictured) from Cardross, who achieved 9 As at National 5 said:

It’s been a tough year for everyone, but I really feel that all of our efforts have been rewarded. Our teachers have been incredible in supporting us and I’m really looking forward to getting back to school to start my IB Diploma next week.

Almost three quarters of all S5 pupils achieved 5 or more Higher awards, with the pass rate, A-B passes and A passes increasing significantly from last year. Almost 40% of the year gained 5 or more Highers all at A grade, and the school is thrilled to be awarding the much-coveted Gold Academic award to over 60% of the year group.

In Advanced Highers 70% were achieved at A grade, showing that the quality of passes has improved considerably. The S6 cohort leave to join Universities as diverse as: the Sorbonne in Paris, University College London, Edinburgh University, University of Glasgow and Glasgow School of Art and will study a range of courses including: Law, International Relations, Marketing, Business, Engineering, Music, Journalism, Physics and Psychology.

Academic Depute, Claire Chisholm said:

Although extremely impressive, our results only convey a little of what was achieved by Lomond pupils this year. The real story is in the hard work, resilience and adaptability shown by our boarding and day pupils, our parents, and our staff. Our small classes mean that all our pupils are known well by their teachers, allowing their potential to be recognised and the high-quality online learning and teaching, throughout lockdown has certainly helped. Pupils received lessons six periods a day, five days a week which ensured that courses were finished quickly allowing plenty of time for revision, further challenge and assessment technique practice. The formal timetable of assessments – including several ‘warm-ups’ – which were carefully spaced throughout the winter, spring and summer terms made sure every pupil was supported pastorally and academically and therefore able to perform at their best.

At Lomond School the robust Quality Assurance and moderation carried out by all teachers far exceeded the SQA requirements and ensured that our staff worked with confidence, a wealth of evidence and integrity when awarding provisional grades.

Principal, Mrs Johanna Urquhart, said: 

I am particularly delighted for our departing S6 pupils. They leave Lomond with some record-breaking results, but with so much more besides: they have confidence; life experience and a range of skills and qualities which cannot be measured in SQA terms. I am so proud that our school delivers the all-round, enriching, educational experience which all young people deserve. My warmest congratulations to you all!