Published Date: Aug 5th, 2025
Youngsters across Fife today will have been running to the letterbox (or most likely, to their phones) to find out if all their hard work and studying has been successful. But for some of the students at St Columba's RC and Woodmill High Schools it has been an especially nerve-wracking experience as they opened their results in the media spotlight, with anxious parents and staff looking on.
Initial indications are that, in Fife, students in S4 and S5 sat more exams this year than ever and there's a general improvement from 2021, with the average number of passes and awards per pupil also increased.
Cara Hilton, Fife Council Spokesperson for Education said: "I want to congratulate Fife's young people today as they receive their results. It takes hard work and determination to sit any SQA exams and anyone receiving their grades today should be very proud of themselves, whatever the outcome.
"The results coming out today for Fife as a whole show that Fife is maintaining a higher level of presentations for the SQA exams. The Education Directorate continues to support schools to be ambitious for Fife’s young people."
There certainly was no lack of ambition among those opening their results at the Dunfermline Learning Campus. Headteachers Sandy McIntosh, of Woodmill, and Mick McGee, of St Columba's RC, were rightly proud of their students' achievements.
Sandy McIntosh said: "I'm really pleased for our young people who have worked so hard throughout the year. It's not easy to get any of these qualifications and it takes dedication and hard work on the part of the students and their teachers, along with the support of their parents and carers. We're very proud of them all. "
Mick McGee agreed saying: "We see the effort our young people have put into their studies and today is their reward for all that hard work. I want to say congratulations to all our students and thanks to the staff and families who have helped them along the way.
Both headteachers were quick to remind anyone who hadn't done as well as they'd hoped not to be disheartened as there are always a number of different ways to get to the place they want to be.
Head of Education Maria Lloyd wrote to all SQA candidates in June this year with advice on what to do if results weren't as good as expected. She said: "Whatever your results, you have options. Skills Development Scotland (SDS) provides support to learners, and their parents and carers, at what can be an uncertain time. You can call The SDS Results Helpline number on 0808 100 8000. This helpline goes live at 8am, Tuesday 5 August and is available until Friday 8 August 2025. You can talk to SDS's expert careers advisers about course vacancies at UK colleges and universities; Confirmation and Clearing; advice about Foundation, Modern, and Graduate Apprenticeships; jobs; volunteering or staying on at school."
She also reminded young people to look out for their own and friends' well-being, saying: "I know that some may experience increased stress and anxiety due to receiving results. It is important at this time to look after your wellbeing and there are some good tips about how you can do this at the following address – http://www.fife.gov.uk/ourmindsmatter/ If you or any of your friends are feeling anxious or stressed about your results, there are a range of supports available from services such as the School Nurse Service. There are also some very helpful sources of advice on this Children and Young People’s Mental Health wakelet.
