Individual school Curriculum for Excellence attainment data published

Homework - PA

The Scottish Government has published data on how pupils are performing in the Curriculum for Excellence.

The information is broken down to school level, leading to warnings it could see a return to league tables for primary schools, abolished in Scotland in 2003.

The figures show the percentage of pupils achieving expected levels of competency in reading, writing, listening & talking and numeracy at P1, P4, P7 and S3.

These are based on teacher assessments.

Between 65 and 85 per cent of pupils in primary schools achieved the relevant CfE level in aspects of literacy and numeracy, according to the report.

However, a significant gap in performance between the country's poorest and richest pupils is evident, and the figures also show attainment rates dropping as pupils move through the school system.

General secretary of teaching union the EIS, Larry Flanagan, said teachers were working hard to overcome the challenges.

“Progress through the levels is a continuum and it should be noted that there has never been an expectation that all pupils would achieve the levels at the same rate,” he said.

“The data also confirms some challenges that we know exist, such as the link between deprivation and poorer attainment and the challenge of maintaining momentum during the transition phase between upper primary level and early secondary level.”

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the figures would be used to target resources ahead of the introduction of standardised assessments next year.

“Currently there are inconsistencies in the way young people’s progress is being assessed and reported in schools across the country. The standardised assessments will provide teachers with nationally consistent data to help inform their professional judgement,” he said.

All school level results are presented in ten per cent bandings, and carry the disclaimer: “Comparisons between schools within and across authorities should not be made without knowledge of the underlying approach to assessment and the context of the authority or school.”

However, critics have already warned league tables are inevitable.

Ross Greer, Education spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said: "While other parties have pushed the Scottish Government down the road of standardised assessments, Greens have been clear in calling for teachers to be given time to teach.

“Instead we see deeply flawed league-tables being published that can only increase stress for parents, pupils and teachers.”

Data for every school is available to view here.

Also released today is data showing teacher numbers have increased slightly overall compared to last year, but fallen in 12 council areas. Average class size increased slightly to 23.5 students.