Forres Academy students achieve outstanding grades despite unique challenges of 2020
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FORRES Academy's head teacher has congratulated the school's top students on their results.
Mrs Jan Sinclair confirmed 14 of her pupils achieved outstanding grades despite the global coronavirus pandemic and subsequent four-month lockdown.
She said: "I am immensely proud of all of our young people and their results. From the announcement in March that the SQA exams had been cancelled, these past few months have been a highly anxious time for them. Some felt it was a wasted year but I am delighted that many have been awarded with the grades they deserve."
S4 students Daniel Taylor Dewick (not in photo), Isobel Howard, Magnus McGhee, Harriet Neall, Ella Robertson and Mike Jones all achieved six 'A's at National 5 level.
Fellow S4s Mia Barrère achieved four Nat 5 'A's and two Higher 'A's, Rachel Mitchell got five Nat 5 'A's and a Higher 'B', and Cameron Munro earned five Nat 5 'A's and a Higher C.
S5 students Ben Cameron, Ewan Martin, Louis Ozanne, Iona Duff and Samuel McPartlin all achieved five 'A's at Higher level.
Mrs Sinclair said: "This is testament to the hard work they put in over the first three terms of the school session, along with the immense work of the teaching staff in pulling together all the required evidence needed to submit the estimate grades to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
"Some of our young people did not get what they wanted and I want to assure them that we are looking carefully at what we can possibly submit to the SQA to get a better grade for them."
She added: "It is though very important to always remember that whilst today this photo is of our straight 'A' pupils, many of our young people have also got a range of fantastic qualifications that are for them a huge achievement and relevant to their chosen pathways.
"At Forres Academy we are not just about the straight 'A' pupils, we support all our young people and very much people believe in #nowrongpath."
Moray's MSP Richard Lochhead agreed that 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for pupils and teaching staff with the cancellation of the exam diet due to coronavirus.
He said: "With an increase in the number of pupils in Moray achieving Advanced Higher and Higher passes, as well as an increase in the number of passes in National 5 Maths and English, there’s a lot to be positive about.
"I want to congratulate everyone who got their results. The last few months have been tough and I know that teachers are parents are incredibly proud of what our young people have achieved this year.
"For those who didn’t get the results they were expecting, there is a free appeals process this year, and I would encourage anyone in that situation to speak to their school for advice."
