EAST Renfrewshire topped Scotland’s exam table for the number of pupils passing three or more higher exams a decade ago.

A breakdown of 2008’s Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) results showed that 51 per cent of pupils at both Barrhead secondaries had A, B or C passes by the end of sixth year.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) said total entries for courses had increased on previous years at all levels apart from Standard Grade. East Renfrewshire’s education convener, Councillor Alan Lafferty said: “We are continuing to drive up exam performance year-on-year and 2008 is no different. That is a tribute to the hard work of our pupils and staff in St Luke’s, Barrhead and Eastwood High School and the support parents give their sons and daughters.

“It’s also a tribute to the systematic way we collect data on individual pupils, highlighting strengths and areas for development.

“A large part of that success story is the unique expertise of our education management information unit which allows us to track pupils right through from baseline and standardised tests in primary, and to use that data scientifically and effectively to push up attainment across the board.

“Parents are showing that they have confidence in their local East Renfrewshire school and these results further underline why we enjoy their confidence, an important factor in our rising exam results.”

Janet Brown, SQA’s chief executive and Scotland’s chief examining officer, said: “I am delighted and greatly encouraged to see the increase in numbers of learners achieving our qualifications, and the steady growth in pass rates. “These results show continuing strong achievements in what is a robust Scottish education system.”

The results also showed that girls were still outperforming boys at all levels of the curriculum. Despite the adoption of a variety of measures to raise standards among boys the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) figures showed no signs of the gender gap closing. Girls in S4 outperformed boys with 78 per cent gaining five or more Standard Grades at credit or general level compared with 73 per cent of boys.