Higher still: more school leavers in positive destinations

Six in ten pupils achieved a qualification at Higher level or above

The percentage of school leavers going on to positive destinations including work, training and continued study has reached a record high, Deputy First Minister John Swinney has confirmed.

New statistics show that 92.0 per cent of those who left school in 2014/15 were in positive destinations in March 2016, compared with 91.7 per cent the previous year – the highest figure on record.

The data published yesterday also shows:

• 60.2 per cent of last year’s school leavers achieved a qualification at Higher level or above, up from 58.1 per cent for 2013/14.
• The percentage of children in Primary 1-3 who took a free school meal in 2016 increased to 81.7 per cent – up from 78.9 per cent the previous year.
• The percentage of schools meeting the target level of PE provision remained unchanged at 98 per cent.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, John Swinney, said: “Today’s figures show a record percentage of school leavers have gone on to positive destinations and more than six in ten achieved a qualification at Higher level or above.

“This reflects the hard work, commitment and dedication of all these young people and the teachers who have supported them through school.

“It also reflects the action taken by the Scottish Government to support more young people into training. The number of Modern Apprentices in training increased to more than 25,800 in 2015/16, exceeding our target for the fifth year in a row.

“While I welcome today’s figures, there is much more to do to raise attainment and ensure all our young people have the very best chance to build the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed – regardless of their background. The First Minister and I have made clear that our firm priority is to substantially close the attainment gap between young people from our most and least deprived areas within the next five years.

“The Delivery Plan I will publish next week will set out how we will build on today’s figures to ensure Scottish education is the best it can be, and delivers the best possible opportunities for our young people.”