Forres Academy students gained top SQA exam results after a difficult few years for the school

Secondary pupils earned outstanding results despite a difficult few years at the school that is due to be replaced in 2027.

Forres Academy head teacher, Mrs Jan Sinclair, confirmed S4 in particular returned some of the strongest results it has seen since the pandemic.

She said: “We are very proud of all the senior phase pupils from last session. They have now had over four years of disruption with the covid and post-covid issues that all in education have faced.

“But to be hit with the disruption of the last session - with building issues and 250 of the seniors having to travel to other schools to complete their courses - shows just how resilient and determined these young people are.

“The results are testament to the hard work that they and the staff put in, along with the support given to them by their parents and families.”

Forres Academy saw increases over many attainment measures.

In S4, as well as seven pupils who earned seven ‘A’ passes at National 5, six gained six ‘A’ passes and over 30 got seven National 5 passes over SQA grades ‘A’ to ’C’.

“Many other pupils in S4 showed strong individual performances,” added Mrs Sinclair. “We should never forget that it is not all about A-grade pass rates.”

In S5, there were seven pupils with five ‘A’ passes at Higher, one pupil also gaining an ‘A’ at Advanced Higher, a level usually only studied by S6 pupils. A further 19 pupils gained five Higher awards at grades ‘A’ to ‘C’.

In S6, 19 pupils achieved Advanced Higher Awards, five with ‘A’ passes. Many more also gained three or more Higher grade passes.

Mrs Sinclair added: “Their results have led to them progressing to the next stage post school.”

Former S5 pupil Eva Esslemont achieved five ‘A’ passes.

She said: “I screamed with delight,” when I found out then I ran around the house with joy!”

Scarlett Britain got the same grades.

She added: “Waiting for the results was a very stressful time. The text arrived at 8am but I'd been awake since 4am!

“I felt delighted and relieved, particularly with my maths result.”