At least one student from all secondary schools in Aberdeenshire has achieved straight A Higher results, the first time this has happened in 10 years.

This morning around 9,000 students will be receiving their SQA exam results, either through the post or by text, email or online.

A total of 99 pupils will be celebrating straight A Higher results, the highest number in Aberdeenshire for a decade. Banchory Academy pupils have achieved the highest number of straight A students (22), followed by Westhill Academy (15), while Mackie Academy in Stonehaven and Meldrum Academy each have 12 straight-A students.

Around 2,600 pupils sat Higher exams in 36 different subjects, including English, Maths, Languages,, Science, Politics, Photography, Russian and Health & Food Technology.

Just under 3,000 students took 15,500 Standard Grade exams, in 26 subjects, while more than 4,000 pupils sat 8,000 Intermediate 1 and 2 qualifications in 44 subjects ranging from English and Maths to Managing Environmental Resources and Creative Cake Production.

The build-up to the Olympic Games in London may have started inspiring pupils early in the year, with 2012 seeing a rise in pass rates for PE exams.

Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education, Learning & Leisure Committee, Cllr Isobel Davidson, said “For many students across Aberdeenshire, the grades they receive today come as the result of years of hard work and dedication throughout their school career.

“Not only must the achievements of thousands of students be recognised, but also the hard work of a network of parents, teachers, friends and support staff”.