Glasgow school's approach to exams leads to jump in pass rate

Fifth-year pupils at Drumchapel High in Glasgow are celebrating after receiving their exam results today (August 6).

More students than ever before achieved five Highers at the school, jumping up from two percent in 2023 to 7.4 percent in 2024.

It follows changes to the school’s approach to exam preparation, which pupils have praised as "amazing."

Olivia Johnstone, 17, Jason Asiedu,17, and Gemma McAlpine, 16, were among the delighted students who received their results by text this morning.

Olivia Johnstone with her results (Image: Colin Mearns)

Gemma, who achieved three As (in biology, maths and PE) and two Bs (in history and English), hopes to be the first person in her family to attend university.

“I want to study zoology at Glasgow University, that’s my dream,” she said. 

Jason, who achieved five straight As in his Highers, is leaving school to study law.

“I have been accepted into university and want to go now – my aim is to become a criminal prosecutor," he said.

Headteacher Madelaine Baker said: “I’m very proud of all the students today. This five percent jump in the number of our pupils achieving five Highers is fantastic, particularly as we climb back from a period of school closures and no exams.”

Headteacher Madelaine Baker (Image: Colin Mearns)

This year, Drumchapel High introduced a new approach to preparing Higher students for exams, including abolishing study leave and introducing residential weekends. Ms Baker is now planning to extend the system to include S4 pupils.

Gemma said: “It has made a huge difference to lots of people. I struggle with self-motivation, so being able to be in school with teachers rather than at home when I was studying was great.

"The study room had little things like orange juice and snacks, so just that idea that people cared about you and wanted to help you do well was amazing.

“There is also always someone there to pick you up when you are low and help you get through studying.”

Gemma McAlpine has set her sights on zoology at university (Image: Colin Mearns)

Gemma has set her sights on making her mark in the university volleyball team if she achieves her dream.

“They have an amazing team so I hope I can get a place on it,” she said, smiling. “There’s a big group of us at Drumchapel High who really love volleyball.”

She added: “My mum and dad both work but no-one else in my family has had the academic achievements I’ve had, so I’m really proud. My brother is starting S1 next week and I hope I can inspire him too.

“I’m really proud to be at Drumchapel High, it’s a really good school.”

Olivia said: “Bringing everyone into the school is a good way to help people focus and I think the supported study really made a difference.”

Fellow S5 Josh Jackson, 16, said: “Just about every teacher in the school came to the study room, so you’d get lots of help from different members of staff and that really breathed new life into my subjects for me.

“I also went on the residential weekends which were great, because you got time to do activities, but also got support with studying.”

Islam Balubaid, 16, who was delighted with his National 5 results, said: “I’m really proud of my school. I’m looking forward to doing my Highers now.”

Islam is looking forward to Highers now (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)

Drumchapel High’s roll has increased from 540 in 2021 to around 800, driven by changes in the local population and the school’s improving reputation, added Ms Baker.

“Although our attainment rate is not the highest in the city, attainment is a tiny part of our journey and the feedback we have had is that people understand we care for our pupils and look after them, so that every child attains and achieves at the level which is right for them,” she explains.

“I’m always saying I’m proud of our pupils, because they are the school. They are what make it a success.”