THIS is my last column before the end of the school year and the start of the summer parliamentary recess.

I want to say a huge thank you to all the pupils, teachers, staff, parents and carers who have worked so hard during this unprecedentedly challenging year.

As a parent and, until last month, teacher, I have had a frontline perspective on the hurdles young people have faced, especially during the second lockdown.

They have been asked to make many sacrifices to help keep families and communities safe.

But, too often, they have been failed by decision-makers.

Ministers failed to act ahead of last summer’s SQA exams scandal, when its model ended up marking down pupils from poorer areas.

While that failure was shocking and could have been avoided, the Government did have the excuse of being in completely unknown territory.

But it will be unforgivable if, despite the opportunity to learn from last year’s debacle and warnings from experts and young people themselves, this year’s qualifications system, including the new appeals process, again fails our young people.

After already experiencing great hardship over the last 15 months, pupils should not have to face this added uncertainty about the way the system operates.

A no-detriment appeals policy would help address concerns.

I am also encouraging families to take advantage of the Get into Summer activities available.

June 26 (Saturday) is Armed Forces Day, the annual day for the public to thank our serving armed forces personnel, as well as veterans, for their contribution.

During the pandemic this has included assisting with procurement and delivery of PPE, helping establish and staff temporary hospitals and supporting the expansion of testing.

I thank all our armed forces personnel for their dedication and commitment.