A group of East Renfrewshire pupils proved they were top of the class after it was announced they had received the best exam results in the country.

Four pupils from St Ninian’s High School were recognised for achieving the highest results in Scotland during their SQA exams.

Alexander MacDonald, Amina Hussain, Emma Martin and Caitlyn Martin came out as the top students across a range of subjects during the most recent national exams.

Former Depute Head Boy Alexander, who is now at Glasgow University studying medicine, gained the highest result in Higher Human Biology and the highest mark for his Advanced Higher Chemistry Investigation.

Amina, who is now in 5th year and preparing to sit five Highers, got the top mark in Scotland for National 5 Chemistry, and aspiring medical student Emma, who is now in 6th year and studying three Advanced Highers and one Higher, recorded the highest Higher Physics result.

These three pupils were all awarded certificates for their achievements at a special event hosted by the Royal Society of Chemistry at Our Dynamic Earth, in Edinburgh.

Caitlyn, who is now at Dundee University studying medicine, got the top Advanced Higher Maths result and received the annual award from the Scottish Board of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries for her outstanding achievement.

St Ninian’s Head Teacher John Docherty said: “This is an excellent achievement from these four young people. They all deserve it because they have worked exceptionally hard, and are very humble, self-effacing young people. Their effort day-in, day-out is something that you take great joy in and I’m always in awe of the manner in which, when they are successful, how they accept it with such great humility. They are four outstanding young people who reflect many of the young people in St Ninian’s High School and I wish them well for the future. Well done to each and every one of them.”