KNOX Academy pupils have been praised for their efforts in exams, despite their school journey being interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Teenagers across the country received their exam results earlier this month.

Now, with pupils back at school, Sue Cook, headteacher at the Haddington secondary school, has highlighted their efforts.

She said: “Our pupils performed really well in the SQA exams in April/May 2024.

“This is testament to their hard work and commitment to their studies, and the support of staff and parents/carers.

“We have to be mindful that the S4 were in the final year of primary school when the first lockdown happened in March 2020 and did not get the benefit of all the experiences of transition to Knox Academy – they also had a disrupted S1 with further lockdowns.

“S5 pupils also missed their final months of S1 and a disrupted S2.

“So taking this into account, they have done amazingly well and coped with the SQA adding assignments back in to many subject last session too!

“We are super proud of them and know, for those returning to school, they will continue to build on these results over session 2024-25.”

READ MORE: East Lothian school pupils receive their exam results

The pupils’ attainment at A-C for National 5 was 78 per cent – slightly above the national results of 77.2 per cent and the East Lothian figure of 77.9 per cent.

Thirteen pupils in S4 achieved seven National 5 passes, all at Band A, and a further eight pupils attained 6As and a B or C.

Meanwhile, at Higher level, the A-C attainment was 83 per cent - again above the national results of 74.9 per cent and the East Lothian figure of 74.3 per cent.

Eight pupils attained 5A passes and a further nine attained 4As.

Mrs Cook added: “At Advanced Higher, our A-C attainment was 67 per cent (79.1 per cent last year).

“This was below the national results of 75.3 per cent and East Lothian figure of 70.1 per cent.

“AH was down from last year at school, East Lothian Council and national levels.

“One pupil attained 4As in their Advanced Highers and six others attained three AHs and nine pupils achieved two AHs.

“Within National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher, many young people showed great progress to achieve the grades they did – whether these were As, Bs or Cs.

“We also had many young people achieving well at National 3 and National 4, with a significant increase in qualifications achieved by young people at Meadowpark too.”

In the weekly school update, the headteacher stressed that there was still work to do.

She said: “Our focus this year will continue to be on teaching for excellence, closing our GAP, focusing on attendance (huge link between this and attainment and achievement) and ensuring that our young people attain the highest level and most qualifications they can that are relevant to them.

“We also need to work together to ensure that, in particular, our S6 cohort see all courses through from inception to completion to guarantee them the best results and reach their potential.”