Achievement of CfE Levels at Scotland level

Primary stages

The percentages of primary school pupils achieving the expected CfE levels in 2023-24 have increased across all stages and organisers compared to 2022-23.

For P1, P4 and P7 pupils, the proportion achieving the expected CfE Level in 2023-24 was the highest ever recorded across all organisers except in P1 reading, where it was slightly lower than in 2018-19.

For primary pupils combined, the proportion achieving expected levels in literacy (74 per cent) and numeracy (80 per cent) were the highest on record.

As in previous years, the proportion of pupils achieving the expected CfE level across each primary school stage was highest in listening and talking, and lowest in writing. For listening and talking, 87 per cent of pupils in primary stages combined achieved the expected CfE level compared to 76 per cent for writing.

Table 1: Primary attainment was highest in listening and talking and lowest in writing

Percentage of primary pupils achieving expected CfE levels, 2023-24

The full time series, back to 2016-17 can be found in table 1 of the supplementary tables

Secondary (S3) Stage

For S3 pupils, the proportions achieving third level or better in literacy (88 per cent) and numeracy (90 per cent) are at their highest ever level.

S3 (third level or better) attainment in the reading, writing and listening and talking organisers increased over the latest year, but were similar to or slightly lower than in 2018-19.

The proportions of S3 pupils achieving fourth level were at their highest ever across all organisers, and were markedly higher over the last two years. This increase may be partially due to improvements in assessment and recording at level four.

Table 2: Around nine out of ten S3 pupils achieved third level or better in each of the organisers in 2023-24

Percentage of S3 pupils achieving expected CfE levels, 2023-24

The full time series, back to 2016-17 can be found in table 1 of the supplementary tables.