Pupils from six East Lothian secondary schools who achieved top marks in their Highers were celebrated at a special prize giving held at Queen Margaret University.

On Monday 12 November, eight pupils from Ross High, North Berwick High, Musselburgh Grammar, Knox Academy, and Dunbar Grammar who attained the best overall performance in Higher Health Food Technology and Higher Business Management, were praised and rewarded for their achievements.

Former S6 pupil, Jenni McBirnie achieved the top mark in Higher Business Management at Knox Academy for Session 2011-2012.

Five of the students who were able to attend the reception were presented with a prize together with a certificate of achievement. The awards were presented by Dr Majella Sweeney, Programme Leader for the BA(Honours) International Hospitality and Tourism Management and Dr Dave McGuire, Programme Leader for the BA (Honours) Business Management, both from the Division of Business, Enterprise and Management at Queen Margaret University.

Carol Brennan, Director of the Consumer Insight Centre at Queen Margaret University, said: “The University wants to be at the very heart of the East Lothian community and we are delighted to support the local schools in this way. We hope that these prizes provide some well-deserved recognition for the hard work that the pupils have put into their study and help to motivate the younger students to do well in their Highers.”

Dr Majella Sweeney said: “With our flagship in Sustainable Business, Queen Margaret University is also very keen to support young people in the study of business management, hospitality and food related areas. We would also like to encourage young people in East Lothian to reach their potential by continuing with their learning after leaving school, whether that be at college or university. Importantly, this prize giving encourages young people to come through the door of East Lothian’s university. It helps us develop a good relationship with the schools and the pupils.”