Pupils lift West Dunbartonshire exam success to 83%

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-04 16:42 3 min read

A large group of students and teachers standing together on a bright indoor staircase.

By the demoduck.co.uk editorial team
Published 4 August 2026

Pupils across West Dunbartonshire recorded successful outcomes in 83% of examination presentations this year, according to results published by West Dunbartonshire Council.

More than 2,000 young people were presented for Qualification Scotland examinations at National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels. The figures cover entries or groups presented at each level, so they should not be read as one uniform pass rate for every individual pupil.

National 5 results sit above the national rate

Qualification measure	West Dunbartonshire outcome
All examination presentations	83% successful
National 4	100% pass rate for a second year
National 5	89% of 1,390 pupils achieved a qualification
Higher	86% of 996 pupils gained at least one qualification
Advanced Higher	82% of pupils presented achieved a pass

National 5 produced the clearest national comparison in the council’s release. The local figure of 89% was 9.8 percentage points above the stated national pass rate of 79.2%.

National 4 remained at 100% for a second consecutive year and also exceeded the national rate, although the council did not provide the corresponding national percentage. At Advanced Higher, the number of young people presented for qualifications rose by 28% while 82% achieved a pass.

The Higher figure uses a different measure: 86% of the 996 young people presented gained at least one qualification. It therefore cannot be compared directly with a subject-entry pass rate, but the council said the outcome continued a three-year pattern of improvement.

Five schools report gains at different levels

Clydebank High School recorded an 86% National 5 pass rate, its strongest result at that level in five years. Candidate numbers also increased by 5%, meaning the improvement was achieved while more pupils were presented.

Dumbarton Academy’s Advanced Higher A-C pass rate reached 89%, up 16.2 percentage points from the previous year and its best performance at that level for five years. Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School maintained an 87% National 5 pass rate, matching its joint second-highest result over the same period.

St Peter the Apostle High School increased its Higher pass rate by two percentage points to 74%. Its Advanced Higher presentations rose by 10%, giving the school its largest cohort at that level during the period covered by the release.

Vale of Leven Academy achieved a five-year high at Higher, where the pass rate increased by three percentage points to 75%. Its National 5 A-C rate also rose by four percentage points, producing its second-best result in five years.

These school figures show where results or participation changed, but they do not establish why the changes occurred. The published data does not provide subject-by-subject results, cohort characteristics or other information needed to make like-for-like comparisons between schools.

Results open routes into work and further study

For some pupils, results day marks the end of school and the point at which they confirm plans for employment, apprenticeships, college or university. Young people studying with partners including West College Scotland were also due to receive results on 4 August.

Chief Education Officer Gillian Hamilton credited pupils’ determination alongside support from families, teachers and school staff. Councillor Michelle McGinty, convener of educational services, said every pupil should feel proud of their individual achievement, while vice convener Councillor John Millar wished pupils well in their next steps.

Helpline offers next-step guidance

Skills Development Scotland is operating a Results Helpline for learners, parents and carers seeking guidance after receiving results. It is open from 8am to 8pm on 4 and 5 August 2026, with advisers available on 0808 100 8000.

Source: West Dunbartonshire Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

The article distinguishes between pupil, presentation and pass-rate measures using figures published for results day.

Checks

Checked the 83% overall figure against the council's stated measure of successful presenta...
Compared the 89% National 5 outcome with the supplied national rate of 79.2%.
Preserved the different measurement used for Higher results.
Confirmed the Results Helpline dates, opening hours and telephone number.

West Dunbartonshire Council Check wider results coverage