Falkirk pupils lift Higher entries and pass rates

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-04 15:46 Updated: 16:54 3 min read

Group of schoolgirls walking together on a city pavement during the day.

By the Beehive Web UK editorial team | 4 August 2026

Falkirk recorded 229 more pupils sitting Highers than in 2025, while the A–C pass rate for those Level 6 qualifications rose by 2.43%, according to Falkirk Council’s early analysis of the 2026 Qualifications Scotland results.

Advanced Higher participation also increased. A further 157 pupils sat Level 7 qualifications, with the A–C pass rate again reported as 2.43% higher than last year. The council said several key attainment measures had reached their highest levels since 2021.

The figures were released as young people across the Falkirk Council area received their results on Tuesday. They cover attainment across the area’s secondary schools rather than individual school-level outcomes.

Higher and Advanced Higher participation increased

The largest numerical change disclosed by the council was at Higher level. The increase of 229 pupils indicates that more young people entered Level 6 qualifications, while the accompanying pass-rate rise shows improvement among the results awarded at grades A to C.

Falkirk pupils lift Higher entries and pass rates

At Advanced Higher level, the participation increase was smaller but still substantial at 157 pupils. These Level 7 qualifications are generally taken in the senior phase of secondary school.

Measure	Change reported from 2025
S4 qualifications at SCQF Levels 3–5	Increase of at least 1.36%
S5 and S6 qualifications at SCQF Levels 5–7	Increase of at least 2.08%
Level 6 Highers	229 more pupils; A–C pass rate up 2.43%
Level 7 Advanced Highers	157 more pupils; A–C pass rate up 2.43%

The published figures describe changes rather than complete pass-rate totals. Falkirk Council did not provide the underlying 2025 and 2026 rates, a subject-by-subject breakdown or results for each school, so the final percentage of candidates achieving A–C grades cannot be calculated from this release alone.

Gains extend across S4, S5 and S6

Improvement was not confined to Highers and Advanced Highers. In S4, where most pupils undertake qualifications at SCQF Levels 3, 4 or 5, the council reported increases of at least 1.36% across its key measures.

For S5 and S6, where pupils generally take qualifications spanning SCQF Levels 5, 6 and 7, the corresponding increase was at least 2.08%. The wording “at least” indicates a minimum improvement across the measures reviewed, but the council did not publish each measure separately.

The year-on-year comparison supports the council’s assessment of continued progress and shows both increased senior-phase participation and higher A–C pass rates. It does not establish that every pupil, subject or secondary school improved at the same rate. Although Braes High School pupils Mariam Anwar, William Tawn and Erin Stevenson featured with the announcement, no separate attainment figures for Braes High were supplied.

Results shape pupils’ next steps

Councillor Iain Sinclair, Falkirk Council’s education spokesperson, credited pupils’ work, commitment and perseverance, alongside support from teachers, parents and carers. He said pupils could progress through further study, training, apprenticeships or employment and stressed that there was no single route to success.

Jon Reid, the council’s Director of Education, said the progress reflected the commitment of young people and school staff across Falkirk. Pupils who need help interpreting their results or considering their next move can seek advice through their school or Skills Development Scotland.

Parents, carers and pupils with questions about individual results should contact their school directly. The Qualifications Scotland Candidate Advice Line is available on 0345 279 1000, while the Skills Development Scotland Advice Line can be reached on 0800 917 8000.

Source: Falkirk Council News

Context & actions About this article

Source check How this report was checked

This report distinguishes Falkirk Council’s confirmed year-on-year figures from details that were not included in its early analysis.

Checks

Compared every reported percentage and participation increase with the figures in the coun...
Kept SCQF Levels 3–7 separate to avoid conflating S4 and senior-phase attainment.
Noted that complete pass rates, subject results and individual school figures were not pub...
Confirmed the available support contacts for pupils, parents and carers.

Falkirk Council News Check wider coverage