School leaver destinations

The proportion of young people in work, training or further study nine months after leaving school last year is 92.9%, the third highest on record and down from 93.3% the previous year.

Statistics on school leaver destinations show that the gap between young people from the most and least deprived communities entering a ‘positive destination’ has more than halved since 2009-10.

Follow-up destinations relate to outcomes approximately nine months after the end of the school year. The figures for 2018-19 in this report relate to early April 2020 and therefore will not reflect the full impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:

“While the proportion of young people studying, training or working within nine months of leaving school has fallen slightly since last year, it is still historically high and testament to the Curriculum for Excellence that gives young people the necessary skills and experiences to progress in life.

“Closing the poverty-related attainment gap remains our defining mission, and the gap between young Scots from the most and least deprived areas entering a positive destination has closed significantly over the last decade. In addition, the proportion of young people going on to further and higher education combined is the highest on record.

“The COVID-19 pandemic will undoubtedly make it harder to for all young people to fulfil their full potential, regardless of their background, and I am determined to support young people through this crisis and succeed in closing the gap.”

Summary Statistics for Follow-up Leaver Destinations, No. 2: 2020 Edition