PUPILS in Clackmannanshire are celebrating this week after more students achieved more Higher passes “than ever before”.

Yesterday (Tuesday) saw pupils from across the Wee County receive their exam results and data suggests that for the majority of S4-S6 pupils the news is good.

A spokesperson for Clackmannanshire Council said they were pleased to report “most young people have achieved high levels of attainment this academic session”.

She added: “The authority appreciates the hard work of staff and pupils in the second year of the new S4 National Qualifications and the first year of the new Higher qualifications.” This year saw schools present for the first time the new Higher qualifications as part of Curriculum for Excellence.

The council spokesperson added: “Across the authority pupils sat over 1300 Higher exams and results show more pupils passed than previous years. More Clackmannanshire S5 pupils this year achieved Highers than ever before.” S4 pupils were the second group of pupils presented for the new National exams introduced last year. This year’s pupils sat slightly less presentations than last year with three quarters of pupils attaining five or more N4 awards and over a third of the 2015 year group achieving four or more National 5 awards or better.

S6 pupils also attained well this year with a number of pupils achieving Advanced Higher qualifications.

The council is also delighted with young people’s success in vocational courses at college as those involved were pleased to gain accreditation that enables them to move on to courses in engineering technology, construction, business and child health & social care.

In one young person’s words he: “Learned; grew in confidence; met new people and matured” as well as attaining accreditation.

Partnership with Forth Valley College is a key means to help support with the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence.

Education convener Ellen Forson said: “Congratulations to all young people from Alloa, Alva and Lornshill Academies who have received their exam results on an encouraging performance in the second year of the new S4 National Qualifications and first year of the new Higher qualifications.

“Within Clackmannanshire we are very aware of the support given by parents and carers to young people at this time of transition. We are confident that with their continued support given by parents we will be able to build on this success and ensure that our young people are well placed to continue to succeed in their future.

“Good luck to everyone as they take the next steps, whether that’s returning to school or moving on to further and higher education, training or employment.” In the wake of the results, two separate helplines have been opened to help candidates discuss the next steps.

Skills Development Scotland has a helpline for candidates whose results were either better or worse that they had expected and their advisers can offer information on college and university vacancies, employment and training and exam resits.

To get in touch, call 0808 100 8000 between 8am to 8pm on 4-5 August and from 9am to 5pm daily until 12 August. Call charges may apply depending on your operator.

Meanwhile, the SQA Candidate Advice Line provides information for candidates on the content and layout of their certificate. To contact the SQA, call 0345 279 1000 or email results@sqa.org.uk.