YOUNG people across the Isle of Bute were among those celebrating their SQA results on Tuesday as Argyll and Bute Council revealed a record number of pupils have achieved national qualifications.
Initial figures show learners across the local authority gained 685 more awards than in 2025, with more young people than ever before being supported to enter and achieve national qualifications.
The results form part of the ambitions set out in Argyll and Bute Council’s Our Children, Their Future education strategy, which aims to ensure every child and young person has the opportunity to achieve and move on to positive destinations.
Alongside the increase in qualification entries, pass rates at Higher and Advanced Higher level have also improved on last year. Over the past two years, the number of National 5 awards has increased by nine per cent, while Higher awards have risen by 17 per cent.
Across Argyll and Bute, the National 5 pass rate stands at 89.4 per cent, matching the national average for local authority schools. The Higher pass rate has risen to 90.8 per cent — 0.7 percentage points above the national local authority average — while the Advanced Higher pass rate is 88.7 per cent.
The figures also show that 97.9 per cent of S4 pupils achieved a National qualification, up from 94.2 per cent last year, while 70 per cent of S5 pupils achieved a National qualification, compared with 66.2 per cent in 2025.
Councillor Kieron Green, Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for education, congratulated pupils across the area on their achievements.
He said: “Congratulations to everyone in Argyll and Bute who received exam results today. I know how hard you have worked over the last year and you should be incredibly proud of your achievements.
“These results are particularly encouraging because they show that more young people than ever before are being given the opportunity to gain qualifications and fulfil their potential.
“Our ambition is not simply about improving pass rates. It is about making sure more young people are able to access qualifications that will help them succeed in life, learning and work.”
He also reminded pupils that support remains available through schools and partner organisations for anyone who did not receive the results they hoped for or is unsure about their next steps.
A more detailed analysis of this year’s attainment figures will be presented to Argyll and Bute Council’s community services committee later this year, with full results expected in early 2027.
