PUPILS at Barrhead High had a greater percentage of their Higher results downgraded this year than any other school in East Renfrewshire. 

The outcome emerged in figures released by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

In August, the exams body admitted lowering 124,565 grades across Scotland in a controversial new marking system based on past secondary schools results.

All exams had been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with ‘prelim’ exams and teacher estimates submitted instead.

All grades which were lowered were later reinstated after a backlash from pupils, teachers and politicians.

Last week, the SQA made public for the first time the original changes made to exam results.

In East Renfrewshire, Barrhead High saw 33 per cent of Higher results lowered, with almost 12 per cent adjusted from ‘pass’ to ‘fail.’

St Luke’s High, in Barrhead, was also badly affected, with 21 per cent of results lowered and nine per cent marked from pass to fail.

That compared unfavourably to schools in more affluent areas, such as Mearns Castle High, in Newton Mearns, where less than nine per cent of Higher results were lowered and just two per cent marked from pass to fail.

At St Ninian’s High, in Giffnock, less than 10 per cent of grades were lowered and less than three per cent adjusted to a fail.

Councillor Paul O’Kane, East Renfrewshire’s education convener, said: “Barrhead pupils have been in a trajectory of continuous improvement and are doing well.

“None of that continuous improvement was reflected in this year’s exam results. They didn’t reflect the pupils’ abilities and the teachers’ aspirations for them.

“It meant there was no confidence in the system, which was flawed from the start.

“Pupils in Barrhead felt they were being downgraded because of the community they live in, while those in Newton Mearns also felt the good results were not worth anything because people would say it was because of the school they go to.”

When exam results were released in August, it was alleged students from less affluent areas had been unfairly disadvantaged, as their schools may not have fared so well in the past.

West of Scotland MSP Ross Greer, who campaigned for the grades restoration, said: “Pupils in Barrhead were treated like statistics, rather than people, and judged more on their postcode than their abilities.”

Barrhead’s MSP, Tom Arthur, said the data “shows quite clearly” the Scottish Government was right to order that the original grades be reinstated.

He added: “

It was clear that, due to a lack of exams, the only fair process available for certification was teacher judgement.

“Young people deserve the results that reflect their hard work and ability, so I am glad this has been achieved.”