The proportion of young people who enter work, training or further study within nine months of leaving school is now the highest on record. Official statistics published yesterday show that 93.2% of school pupils had a positive destination nine months after leaving school.
At the same time, the gap between young people from the most and least deprived communities entering into work, training or study is at its lowest ever, and has more than halved since 2009-10.
The proportion of looked-after children entering further and higher education is now also at a record high. The proportion of looked-after young people in positive destinations nine months after leaving school has increased to 76% over the past five years.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “More young Scots are studying, training or working within nine months of leaving school than ever before. Importantly, that also includes more young Scots from the most deprived communities, with the gap closing significantly over the last decade.
“I am also particularly pleased to see the proportion of looked-after children entering further and higher education at a record high – this is real progress and shows the action we are taking to close the poverty related attainment gap in Scotland is working.
“While the figures published today are extremely encouraging, we know that there is more to do to ensure that all our young people have the opportunity to fulfil their full potential in life and succeed – regardless of their background.”
A positive destination includes higher education, further education, training, employment, voluntary work and activity agreements.
While welcoming the figures, the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition says more must be done to support looked-after children. A spokesperson commented: “It is great to see that the proportion of looked-after children experiencing positive educational outcomes has increased.
“However, it should be noted that there are still significant gaps when compared with all pupils. While 39 per cent of looked after children had one or more qualification at SCQF level 5 in 2017/18, this is 86 per cent for all pupils and while 76 per cent of looked after children are in positive destinations such as further education, higher education and training nine months after leaving school, this is 93 per cent for all pupils.
“It should also be noted that only 4 per cent of looked after children enter higher education while this figure is 39 per cent for all school leavers.
“While the figures published today are extremely encouraging, we know that there is more to do to ensure that our looked after children have the opportunity to fulfil their full potential in life and succeed.
“As we know, those who are looked after experience some of the poorest outcomes of any group in society and face a high risk of homelessness, destitution, loneliness and sometimes prison. So, while progress has been made, there is still much to be done to support these vulnerable children and young people reach their full potentials.”
The statistics are available at the following links:
‘Summary Statistics for Follow-up Leaver Destinations, No. 1: 2019 Edition’.
‘Education Outcomes for Looked After Children, 2017/18’.
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