A report highlighting achievements and progress in attainment among learners for academic session 2024-25 was discussed at Education, Children and Families Committee last week (27 November).
In a positive step forward, across several measures, the report showed that the gap between the least and most disadvantaged learners is narrowing. This includes at National 5 and Higher, or equivalent, level where the performance of the least advantaged learners in the city has improved in almost all measures.
The report shows an increase in attainment during the senior phase of secondary school, with the measure relating to leaver destinations the best on record. The percentage of learners gaining five Highers has improved each year since 2022.
Reflecting an increased offering of vocational courses across secondary schools, the number of vocational qualification passes, National Progression Awards (NPA), has almost doubled in recent years – from 941 NPA passes in 2023 to 1944 in 2025.
Figures highlight pupils’ appetite for this expanded curriculum offer with the number of learners taking part in the foundation apprenticeship pilot increasing from 16 young people in 2023-24 to 200 young people this academic year.
In primary schools, the attainment gap in literacy, which includes reading, writing, listening and talking, has decreased significantly. In numeracy combined data for P1, P4 and P7 shows that the numeracy attainment gap is at the lowest level for 5 years.
Despite the positive progress, there is more to be done to close the poverty related attainment gap and the report highlights measures to do this, including ongoing focused work providing guidance and support to priority schools, supported by partnership working with the Education Scotland Attainment Adviser and Equity Lead officer.
Commenting on the report, Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convenor said: “This report demonstrates positive leaps forward in attainment outcomes in our schools.
“I am particularly pleased to note the progress we’ve made in narrowing the gap between those children and young people who are most and least advantaged.
“Regardless of a child’s background, it is crucial that every child or young person in our schools is supported to reach their aspirations and ambitions.
” In our secondary schools we continue to offer an increasing number of vocational course options, which not only support young people to make informed choices about life beyond school but equip them with qualifications and a route into the world of work.
“It is disheartening to see that there are gaps in attainment for certain cohorts of our pupils and I am committed to working closely with officers to understand why this is the case and how we can work to close the poverty related attainment gap.”
