Hundreds of S4, S5, and S6 students received SQA results in August, and although Argyll and Bute Council recorded a five per cent increase in pupils achieving five Higher results, many students at the Helensburgh high school achieved lower grades than had been predicted by teachers – with some failing subjects altogether.

Some pupils have been left with no qualifications in certain subjects – despite five years of study at the school – after a change in the system meant there were no exams in fourth year, with the school instead opting to try out having pupils sitting Highers over two years.

According to leaked council figures handed to the Advertiser, half of pupils who sat National 5s failed the exams; and 27 per cent failed Highers – although no official council figures have been released.

The most recent report of Hermitage Academy’s Higher performance was presented to councillors in February this year, where head teacher Geoff Urie told members of the area committee pass rates for exams in 2013/14 was 75.2 per cent, with 887 entries for Higher level examinations. The pass rate was slightly increased from the previous year, when pupils achieved 75 per cent passes (924 entries).

These figures were below the local authority and national figure, with the Argyll and Bute average at 76.9 per cent, and the national pass rate at 77.6 per cent.

The council failed to respond to a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Advertiser to obtain full details of pass rates for the 2014/15 session within the statutory 20 working day limit.

Politicians and unions have criticised the new teaching model, after teachers – through their unions – said they had a lack of confidence in the new system.

A statement from joint unions EIS and SSTA said: “Following their experience of delivering the courses and seeing the subsequent SQA exam results, the majority of members are of the opinion that they have little confidence in the current Senior Phase Model.

“Many members believe the lack of external exams at the end of S4 has taken away the most effective means of tracking pupils’ progress.

“Union members feel that concerns regarding the senior school model in Hermitage Academy cannot be freely expressed without fear of repercussions.” West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan said he had asked Angela Constance, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, to investigate the issue.

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: “The Minister for Learning will consider carefully the issue Mr McMillan raises. However, he [Alasdair Allan MSP] has indicated in his response to Mr McMillan that it is for schools and the local authority to decide on the most appropriate qualifications to offer over the course of S4-S6. This should take account of the local context and the individual needs and aspirations of learners.” Helensburgh and Lomond’s MSP Jackie Baillie has also contacted Ms Constance, and said the ‘very serious’ matter should be addressed by the council and government.

She also said it was ‘deeply concerning’ teachers had highlighted flaws with the system, adding that the lack of confidence from teachers ‘should be a wake-up call’.

A father-of-three, who has one child still studying at Hermitage Academy, said the school had ‘tested a theory of education’ which had not been beneficial for many of the pupils who sat exams in May this year.

He told the Advertiser: “They have used our child’s year as guinea pigs. For some it worked, but the reality for a lot of kids is that they have not achieved the grades they were expecting.” Another parent, who had children go through the school on the old system, said her son has been left ‘devastated’ She told the Advertiser there ‘seems to be a total lack of understanding’ from teachers, parents, pupils, and the council.

A former teacher at the school, who asked not to be named, said pupils had been ‘let down’ by the system.

She said: “At the time it was introduced a few people, who have now left, spoke out.

“For pupils who needed a bit of time and structure, we knew they were going to struggle.

“The teachers are in a terrible predicament — if you put a pupil forward for Higher and they fail it, they are left with nothing.” Councillor James Robb, who said he has been contacted by a dozen parents with complaints, called on the council to take action.

He said: “It is almost two months since the disappointing exam pass rates at Hermitage Academy were made public.

“Parents are anxious to know if this was due to the unique model at this school where exams in S4 are by-passed. It was a traumatic year for the then S5 pupils with many late changes to target exams and to curriculum. “The council is still refusing to release details of attainment but the debate about whether the current system at this school is helping students achieve their full potential is long overdue.” Cllr Robb said many parents had opted to pay for private tuition, ‘reflecting a loss of confidence’ in the school.

A spokeswoman for Argyll and Bute Council said Hermitage Academy adopted the new structure ‘to allow the pupils to achieve their full potential’.

She said: “Hermitage Academy, similar to all schools in Scotland, has adopted a senior phase qualification model which was developed in consultation with parents through the Parent Council, parental consultation evenings, and in numerous newsletters. The model was designed in a way that courses would last for two years toward qualifications, avoiding over assessment in S4.

“It provided teaching time to allow the pupils to achieve their full potential and be presented at the highest level for their ability. Many pupils have done well. The school will do all possible to help them progressing on from this. Exam results for all secondary schools in Argyll and Bute will be the subject of a report to the council’s Community Services Committee in December; and this will of course include Hermitage Academy.

“Should parents have any concerns or questions about the outcome of exams we would invite them to contact the school directly so they can resolve them together.”