WEE COUNTY school pupils marked a special results day with a celebration at the Forth Valley College campus in Stirling yesterday.

John Swinney, the cabinet secretary for education, joined in on the day and congratulated teachers and students for their effort throughout the academic year.

He shared the day with more than 30 pupils from Alloa Academy, Clackmannanshire Secondary Schools Support Service, as well as youngsters from St Modan’s High School in Stirling and Larbert High.

Colin Bruce, headteacher at Alloa Academy, said: “I really enjoyed seeing Alloa Academy pupils celebrate their achievements today and I was delighted at the range of subjects and qualifications that they have undertaken to help them take the next step in their learning journey.

"I’m also really proud of all the hard work from both the students and the staff who have supported them.”

During the event, Mr Swinney also had the opportunity to visit the simulated nursery at the college’s Stirling Campus and speak to pupils who had undertaken a Foundation Apprenticeship to find out about their experience.

He said: “Results day is the perfect time to celebrate all forms of learner success and congratulate our young people on their achievements throughout the year.

“I had the pleasure of spending the day at Forth Valley College where I met students taking a variety of exciting learning opportunities either at school, college or both.

"It was a fantastic atmosphere, a great opportunity to meet so many dedicated learners following the paths that are right for them and the ideal way to truly celebrate the success of all our young people.”

The Results Day 2019 event highlighted the wide range of exciting learning opportunities available to young people and how success can be achieved in many different ways.

It was a great opportunity to celebrate learner’s achievements and to promote the wide variety of pathways to success and the gathering complemented the wider Celebrating Success 2019 campaign, which is being led by the Scottish Government and the college’s own Results Day 2019 campaign.

Dr Ken Thomson, FVC’s principal, added: “It has been great to celebrate the achievements of so many young people and hear about the different pathways they have followed.

"Whether it be a Foundation Apprenticeship, one of our school partnership programmes such as SCOTS, Skills for Work or an HNC, or National Level qualifications and Highers, young people have so many options and can achieve success in many different ways.

“We wish all the young people every success for their future whatever their plans and career aspirations are – and look forward to welcoming those who already have plans to progress to one of the many courses we have at the college such as Higher National Qualifications, Degrees and Modern Apprenticeships.”

The event was also supported by key college partners with representatives from Clackmannanshire Council, Colleges Scotland, DYW Forth Valley, Falkirk Council, Skills Development Scotland, Stirling Council, and University of Stirling.