School leaver destinations amongst new data available for parents

Annual statistics for every secondary school in Scotland have been improved to make more information available to parents.

As well as the usual pass rates for Highers by school, statistics published on Education Scotland’s Parentzone online portal now includes national data on attainment and post-school destinations.

Ninety three per cent of school leavers went on to positive destinations like further or higher education, training or employment in 2014/15, according to the data.

However, the attainment gap between rich and poor is laid bare in the figures, with those from the most deprived areas achieving half that of the least deprived areas.

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Using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), those in the most deprived area (SIMD 1) achieved an average tariff score of 610, compared to a score of 1217 for those in SIMD 5.

At school level attainment has also been measured in the context of deprivation, using a ‘virtual comparator’ which takes into account factors like deprivation and additional support needs. Parents can see how their local school compares to this.

Education Secretary Angela Constance said parents now had “more and better” information than ever before.

“I am very clear, however, that schools cannot be judged by any single measure, and that this data adds to a range of available information on individual school performance.

“It strengthens our knowledge as we work with pupils, parents and teachers to improve educational attainment across the country.”

It is difficult to draw comparisons on this year’s data as the publication represents the first time data has been released since the school senior phase has been reformed as part of Curriculum for Excellence, and only some pupils sat the new Highers.

Eileen Prior, executive director of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council said: "The information provided helps parents see beyond the league tables and understand their local school and how staff there will support and encourage their children to stretch themselves in all aspects of their development.”