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More school leavers have five Highers School leavers attainment gap revealed
(about 3 hours later)
More than 30% of Scottish students left school with at least five passes at Higher last year - the highest proportion ever recorded. Fewer than half of young people from the most deprived areas of Scotland leave school with more than one Higher, according to new statistics.
The figure emerged in a new report showing that young people were generally staying in school longer and gaining more qualifications. Yet more than 80% of those from the wealthiest parts of the country have at least one of the qualifications.
It also revealed that the "attainment gap" between the most and least deprived areas was narrowing. And official statistics show the attainment gap is widening slightly among those completing SCQF level 4 and 5 awards.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney called the findings "encouraging". Ministers said they were investing more than £180m to help address the issue.
Not seeking work The extent of the attainment gap is revealed in new statistics published by the Scottish government but it also reveals that some progress is being made.
The statistics in the Scottish government report also showed that the number of pupils taking up work, training or further study within three months of leaving school has increased. Its key findings include:
They indicate that 94.4% of 49,748 leavers had done so in 2017-18 - up from 93.7% of 51,300 in the previous year.
Of the leavers included in the most recent statistics, 41.1% were in higher education, 26.5% were in further education and 22.7% were in employment.
A total of 3.8% of leavers were unemployed but looking for work, whilst 1.3% were unemployed but not seeking work.
The figures also indicated that the gap between those from the most and least deprived communities going onto work, training or study has halved since 2009-10.The figures also indicated that the gap between those from the most and least deprived communities going onto work, training or study has halved since 2009-10.
In 2009, the total number of pupils from the most deprived areas in Scotland going on to work, training or study stood at 78.8%. The latest figures show this has risen to 90.4%.In 2009, the total number of pupils from the most deprived areas in Scotland going on to work, training or study stood at 78.8%. The latest figures show this has risen to 90.4%.
Overall there was a rise in the number of school leavers going into higher education - from 36.2% in 2009-10 to 41.1% last year. Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the statistics showed "real world progress in tackling an age old problem".
But a drop in those going into training has continued, with just 2.1% following that route last year, down from 5.1% nine years go. "I am particularly pleased to see the attainment gap between school leavers achieving a pass at Higher level or better is at a record low," he added.
Over the same period, there was also an increase in the qualifications young people achieved. But the gap in attainment at Higher level remains stark.
More than 30% of pupils left school with a minimum of five passes at Higher level or better - up from 22.2% in 2009-10. In 2016/17, 43% of those young people in the most deprived communities passed at least one Higher, compared with 80.6% in the least deprived.
The gap between those from the most and least deprived areas achieving a pass at Higher Level or better is at a record low, reducing for the eighth successive year. The gap narrowed by 0.2 percentage points last year, as 44.4% of those from deprived areas gained one Higher against 81.8% of students in the least deprived area.
More young people are also choosing to remain at school, with almost two thirds leaving in S6. At SCQF levels 4 and 5, the gap increased slightly, from 5.9 to 6.1 percentage points and from 19.3 to 20.3 percentage points respectively.
Mr Swinney said: "The gap between the richest and poorest communities for those getting into one of these positive destinations is now half what it was. Mr Swinney said the government was investing more than £180m through the Scottish Attainment Challenge in 2019/20 to help address the issue.
"That is real world progress in tackling an age old problem. They also show pupils are generally staying at school for longer and gaining more qualifications between fourth and sixth year. "The figures published today are encouraging, but we know there is 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," he said.
"I am particularly pleased to see the attainment gap between school leavers achieving a pass at Higher Level or better is at a record low." Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said the figures indicated a "class divide" in the country.
Mr Swinney said the attainment gap at National 4 and 5 level had remained broadly flat over the past two years. He said the government was investing more than £180m through the Scottish Attainment Challenge in 2019-20 to help address the issue.
"The figures published today are encouraging, but we know there is 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."
Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said that the figures indicated a "class divide" in the country.
He said: "In Scotland today, young people from the most deprived areas are more likely to go to college and less likely to go straight to university after school.He said: "In Scotland today, young people from the most deprived areas are more likely to go to college and less likely to go straight to university after school.
"Despite that, the SNP has under-invested in further education - diminishing opportunities for a whole section of young people."Despite that, the SNP has under-invested in further education - diminishing opportunities for a whole section of young people.
"John Swinney also must stop counting zero hour contract jobs as a positive destination in the future, even if it makes it more difficult for him to spin the numbers.""John Swinney also must stop counting zero hour contract jobs as a positive destination in the future, even if it makes it more difficult for him to spin the numbers."
Meanwhile, campaigners noted that more students with additional support needs (ASN) were among those ending up in positive destinations.
But they also noted that the rise had not kept pace with the improving performance generally in recent years.
A spokesman for the Scottish Children's Services Coalition said: "While we are therefore seeing the attainment gap closing between those with ASN and no ASN, in terms of those entering positive destinations the gap is widening.
"More support and guidance is required to ensure that those transitioning from a school environment are able to enter a positive destination and thereby achieve their full potential."