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Academy pupils are ahead of their time!

A GROUP of Stranraer Academy students have become record-breakers after passing an exam designed for pupils three years older than themselves.

More than 200 pupils at the school were left stunned after receiving qualification certificates in the post last week. It turns out the certificates are for a Higher Still unit which the group of 2nd year pupils completed over a year ago.

Amazingly, the qualification is designed for 5th year pupils. But confident teachers at the Academy felt that it was well within the grasp of their lot.

Academy Assistant Head Teacher Mike Warren explained:

"The certificate has been sent to many of our pupils who have just entered 4th year. It shows an Information Technology unit which they passed when they were in 2nd year.

"This is an introductory course intended originally for 5th year pupils.

"But our Business Studies and Computing teachers felt when they looked at the course that many of our 2nd years would be able to cope with it.

"The reason they had to wait until they were in 4th year to get their certificates is that procedures are not set up for 2nd years passing these units.

"We think our pupils are the first 2nd years in Scotland to pass a Higher Still unit!"

Mr Warren added:

"This is a real achievement for the pupils and we have had a number of parents contacting the school who were clearly delighted with the certificate.

"It is an official certificate; exactly the same as the ones used to record Standard Grade and Higher results some parents have even talked about framing it!"

He added that the hope now was that the unique experience would spur pupils on to gain further certificates in the future.