Royal Mail apologises after some Perthshire pupils were left waiting for SQA results

Royal Mail has apologised after a number of pupils in Perth failed to receive their exam results on Tuesday.

The Perthshire Advertiser is aware of pupils in Tulloch and Oakbank who did not receive their certificates through the post on results day.

Royal Mail carried out an immediate review and sent “all mail” out for delivery on Wednesday following the “isolated local delivery issue” in Perth.

Across the country pupils anxiously awaited their SQA results on August 9. But for some in the Fair City the wait was a lot longer as their certificates never actually arrived through the door on Tuesday.

Many parents took to Facebook to see if others had heard or mistakenly got their youngster’s certificate. Tulloch was particularly badly hit.

One Tulloch mum said: “Still haven’t received them! Anxious teenager and parents here!”

Another said: “It’s terrible for them having to wait! Not much we can do though unfortunately! Fingers crossed they come soon!!”

But as the day wore on it became clear, the certificates would not be landing on doormats as expected.

A frustrated mum said: “It doesn’t look like it will come today now. I don’t know how they could do that? Surely today of all days they’d make sure everyone received their results!!”

The following day an SQA spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Royal Mail has confirmed that this is an isolated, local delivery issue and that they have taken swift action to ensure candidates now receive their results as soon as possible. If any affected candidates wish to know their results, they should contact their school or college in the first instance who should be able to help them. Alternatively, they can call SQA’s Candidate Advice Line on 0345 279 1000 and one of our colleagues will be able to help.”

Royal Mail sincerely apologised for the inconvenience.

A spokesperson for Royal Mail on Wednesday said: “I can confirm there was an issue with the service in the Tulloch and Oakbank areas yesterday. As soon as we were made aware, an immediate review was carried out and as of today, all mail is out for delivery. They will join the more than 100,000 results that were successfully delivered yesterday.

“We are sincerely sorry for the inconvenience caused.”

While a text service is available for pupils to receive their results not all pupils had signed up for it much to their regret – and their parent’s frustration.

Perth City North councillor John Rebbeck convenes PKC’s Learning and Families Committee.

He said: “Results day is an anxious time for pupils and their parents and I can appreciate how any delay may exacerbate that anxiety, despite the best efforts of our posties.

“That’s why the SQA introduced the text alert system, which seems to be working well. Pupils or their parents can also phone their school for support as there will usually be staff in.

“I hope that everyone has had their results by now and I congratulate everyone on their achievements, despite the challenges of recent years.

“For those who may be disappointed in their results, I’d just remind them there is No Wrong Path and help and advice is always available.”