Almost half of Scottish pupils go on to higher education
A record 95.5% of pupils were in a ‘positive destination’ including work, training or further study within three months of leaving school last year.
Latest figures published yesterday also show 45.1% of school leavers went on to higher education courses at college or university – the highest since records began in 2009-10.
The gap between those from the most and least deprived communities achieving a positive destination was the lowest since 2009-10.
The statistics show that for National Qualifications:
- 87.7% of school leavers achieved at least one pass at SCQF Level 5 (eg National 5) or better – up from 85.7% in 2019-20 and 77.1% in 2009-10
- 66% achieved at least one pass at SCQF Level 6 (eg Higher) or better – up from 63.9% in 2019-20 and 50.4% in 2009-10
- the gap narrowed between the proportion of pupils from the most and least deprived areas leaving school with at least one pass at SCQF Levels 4, 5 and 6 or better
- the proportion of school leavers achieving vocational awards to support them into the workplace continued to increase
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Despite the challenges of the pandemic, 95.5% of pupils were in positive destinations three months after leaving school. This reflects the resilience and hard work of our young people and all who have supported them during the past two turbulent years.
“The narrowing of the poverty-related attainment gap shown by the figures is also very welcome. So, too, is the increase in the proportion of pupils gaining vocational qualifications and in those going on to higher education in college and university.
“It is important, though, to view the statistics against the backdrop of COVID-19. Exams had to be cancelled for two years and National Qualifications were awarded using different methods. The pandemic will also have affected the choices made by some school leavers and the opportunities available to them.
“Our focus remains on ensuring that all children and young people, regardless of their background, have the opportunities they need to fulfil their potential in school and beyond.”
Commenting on the Scottish Government’s statistics for initial destinations for school leavers (2020/21), a spokesperson for the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition – an alliance of leading children’s care providers – said: “We greatly welcome the increase in school leavers with additional support needs (ASN), such as autism, dyslexia and mental health problems, entering a positive destination three months after leaving mainstream school.
“This includes the likes of further education, higher education, employment and training.
“While 92.8 per cent of 2020/21 school leavers with ASN were in a positive destination three months after leaving school, this is an increase on 2019/20 when the figure was 89.6 per cent. For those with no ASN the figures are 97.0 per cent and 95.4 per cent respectively.
“The gap between those school leavers with ASN and those with no ASN in a positive destination has decreased from 5.8 per cent for 2019/20 to 4.2 per cent in 2020/21.
“It is deeply encouraging to see an increase in the percentage of school leavers with ASN in a positive destination and to note that this gap is narrowing when compared with those with no ASN.
“The key here is to ensure that we maintain this position when the statistics are published for those in a positive destination nine months after leaving school. The figures for 2019/20 showed a disappointing decrease on the previous year, and it is important that increased resourcing is targeted at those individuals with ASN to give them the best possible opportunities, both in the classroom and as they transition beyond it.2
“This is clearly challenging in an environment of austerity, however, the cost to society in the long term if adequate resourcing is not provided will far outweigh any potential savings made today.”
Summary Statistics for Attainment and Initial Leaver Destinations
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20
