PUPILS from East Renfrewshire achieved their best ever results in this year's SQA exams.

Youngsters throughout the region woke up on August 9 to a highly impressive set of performances.

Students performed admirably right across the qualifications spectrum with the highest ever results posted for National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams.

East Renfrewshire boasted 162 students who achieved five or more Highers with a grade A mark.

Of all the fifth year pupils who sat Higher exams, 43 per cent of the original S4 roll achieved five or more Highers compared to the 42 per cent the year previously.

A total of 82 per cent of the original roll attained at least one Higher in S5, while 65 per cent passed three or more Highers – a startling increase of more than 12 points over the last five years.

Barrhead schools also recorded a fine set of scores as Barrhead High equalled its highest ever results for students who achieved three or more Highers in S5 and St Luke's High kids also produced their school's best set of statistics.

Eastwood, Williamwood and Woodfarm High also posted their highest results in what was a remarkable year for East Renfrewshire pupils.

The region's fourth year students achieved the highest ever results at National 5 level, as well as the second-highest ever results at National 4.

Ninety-four per cent of the year group attained five or more qualifications at National 4 standard or better, while 77 per cent achieved five or more National 5 qualifications – a rise of five per cent from 2015.

S4 pupils at Barrhead High achieved an eight per cent in crease in their National 5 exams and St Luke's High recorded its most impressive fourth year figures at National 4 and 5 levels alongside Eastwood High.

Across the local authority, 269 students achieved eight or more grade A National 5 passes.

At Advanced Higher in S6, East Renfrewshire pupils also achieved their best ever performance with 38 per cent of the original S4 cohort achieving one or more Advanced Higher awards up from 37 per cent in 2015.

Eastwood, St Luke’s, St Ninian’s and Woodfarm High Schools had their best ever results for the proportion of S6 pupils achieving one or more Advanced Highers with St Luke’s and St Ninian’s results increasing by nine per centre or above.

East Renfrewshire Council's director of Education, said: "These achievements are a tribute to the hard work of pupils who have been exceptionally well supported by our staff and parents, all of whom have contributed to this impressive attainment.

Youngsters from St Luke's High who achieved five As at Higher were invited to gather for a special photo ceremony.

The students revealed they all struggled to contain their excitement when they opened their results envelopes.

Daniel Murphy, 16, said: "The past year, my parents had been saying to me: 'You can do it' and I thought I might be able to get it. There was always that lingering doubt. But when the email came through at 8.10am the nerves exploded.

"I'm dead delighted with it, I'm really pleased with myself."

Sixteen-year-old Mhairi-Clare Collins said: "I was so thrilled when I got my results this morning. The nerves had started to creep in over the last few days so it's great to now know my results."