ROTHESAY Joint Campus is celebrating a year of significant improvement in exam results, with 2025 figures showing marked progress across key levels of study.
According to a new report for Argyll and Bute Council’s community services committee, the Bute school recorded a sharp increase in performance compared with 2024, particularly at National 5 level where the A-C pass rate rose by an impressive 15 per cent.
In 2024, 48 per cent of pupils achieved an A-C at National 5. In 2025, that figure jumped to 63 per cent one of the strongest improvements across the council area.
At Higher level, Rothesay Academy also built on last year’s achievements, with the pass rate moving from 58 per cent to 59 per cent. Meanwhile, at Advanced Higher level, pupils achieved an A-C pass rate of 44 per cent, ensuring progress was made across the full range of qualifications.
The report highlights Rothesay’s results as an encouraging sign of momentum for the school, particularly as the figures come during a year when presentation rates also rose. That means more young people not only sat exams, but succeeded in gaining awards a double win for the island school.
Executive director Douglas Hendry said in the report: “In 2025, the performance of Argyll and Bute schools compared relatively positively against results from 2024.
“Seven of our 10 schools improved their pass rates at National 5 and Higher, with five also increasing Advanced Higher pass rates.
“Furthermore, increases in pass rates occurred alongside an increase in presentation rate at both National 5 and Higher meaning that the average awards per pupil increased for both presentation types.
“In 2025, the performance of Argyll and Bute schools compared positively against National figures. For A-C pass rates, Argyll and Bute was in line at National 5, slightly behind at Higher and ahead at Advanced Higher. For A-D pass rates, Argyll and Bute was ahead in both National 5 and Higher.
“In terms of attainment gaps, Argyll and Bute continues to have a narrow gap than that which exists nationally. This is driven by our SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) quintile 1 performance, which exceeds that of SIMD quintile 1 pupils nationally.
“Progress of care experienced young people continued in 2025 with A-C and A-D pass rates increasing at both National 5 and Higher levels
“Presentation rates have been maintained against 2024, with the improved pass rates meaning that the average number of awards for CECYP (care experienced children and young people) has improved in 2025.”
Mr Hendry added: “The education service will continue with a programme of support and challenge with all schools across the authority, involving a range of actions and measures to support schools to secure further improvement in examination outcomes for pupils.
“In the autumn, all secondary schools will participate in an attainment meeting with the executive director, heads of education and the education manager and officer, at which head teachers will present in-depth analysis of all aspects of their schools attainment, and indicate key areas of focus for improvement.”
