Professor John Robertson OBA, former Associate Dean (QA) Faculty of Education UWS

From Attainment of school leavers by SCQF level and stage of leaving published today, the above graph and:

Once you get past your surprise at the unusual labelling of the years, eg 1415 for 2014/2015, you can see several things here.

First, around 3 500 more school leavers, 18%, are taking part in the certificated assessment of their attainment – good news for their employability, progression and self esteem.

Second, at three of the levels, there has been recovery to pre-pandemic levels or better, significantly at levels 7 and 3 and slightly at level 6. At levels 4 and 5, recovery is very close to full. Note that levels 6 and 7 are particularly important for progression into skilled apprenticeships, FE and HE.

The increased failure rate is roughly the same as the increase in submissions, thus not significant nor a matter for concern.

We are still to see the analysis of these data according to levels of deprivation and, as you know, the opposition parties with their media chums will do their best to deflate the above successes with suggestions of betrayal of the poor, but last year:

Neither ‘Nic’ nor the SNP have ‘failed poor kids’ as attainment among them doubles

When I try to compare with other parts of the UK, critics jump on me, so comparing ourselves with ourselves 10 years ago can only be applauded.

Direct comparisons with, say England, are difficult but can be made. See:

As BBC Scotland anticipate a widening attainment gap today, how the SNP HAS CLOSED the attainment gap within Scottish schools and WIDENED it with England

Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/attainment-of-school-leavers-by-scqf-level-and-stage-of-leaving/

You can support Talking-up Scotland at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/checkout/help-talking-up-scotland-tell-truth-about-scotland/payment/nBQxjVzq/details or by direct bank transfer method - Bernadette/John Robertson, Sort code 08-91-04, Account 12266421