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Publication - Research and analysis

Attainment Scotland Fund Evaluation: Reporting on National Improvement Framework Attainment and Health and Wellbeing Measures, 2024

Published
28 August 2024
From
Director-General Education and Justice
Directorate
Learning Directorate
ISBN
9781836016304

This report summarises evidence around improvement in attainment and health and wellbeing, and the gap between pupils from the most and least deprived areas. It draws on analysis of quantitative data based on the core measures for monitoring progress on closing the poverty-related attainment gap

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Summary Infographics

Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Levels

The attainment gap between school pupils in the most deprived and least deprived areas has narrowed since 2016/17 in Primary Literacy. It has narrowed since 2016/17 in Primary Numeracy.

Percentage of P1, P4 and P7 pupils combined achieving expected level by SIMD, 2016/17 to 2022/23:

Figure 1. A line chart which shows the trends in the percentage of P1, P4, P7 pupils combined achieving expected literacy levels by SIMD between 2016/17 to 2022/23. The percentage achieving expected Literacy levels has increased from 69.2% in 2016/17 to 72.7% in 2022/23. The attainment gap between school pupils in the most deprived and least deprived areas has narrowed since 2016/17 in Primary Literacy.
Figure 2. A line chart which shows the trends in the percentage of P1, P4, P7 pupils combined achieving expected numeracy levels by SIMD between 2016/17 to 2022/23. The percentage achieving expected Numeracy levels has increased from 76.4% in 2016/17 to 79.6% in 2022/23. The attainment gap between school pupils in the most deprived and least deprived areas has narrowed since 2016/17 in Primary numeracy.

Overall, the percentage of primary pupils (P1, P4 and P7 combined) achieving expected Literacy levels has increased from 69.2% in 2016/17 to 72.7% in 2022/23. The percentage achieving expected Numeracy levels has increased from 76.4% in 2016/17 to 79.6% in 2022/23.

The attainment gap between school pupils in the most deprived and least deprived areas has slightly widened since 2016/17 in Secondary Literacy and narrowed in Secondary Numeracy.

Percentage of S3 pupils achieving Third Level or better by SIMD, 2016/17 to 2022/23:

Figure 3. A line chart which shows the trends in the percentage of S3 pupils achieving Third Level or better in Literacy. The percentage achieving literacy has increased from 87.1% in 2016/17 to 87.8% in 2022/23. The attainment gap between school pupils in the most deprived and least deprived areas has slightly widened since 2016/17 in Secondary Literacy.
Figure 4. A line chart which shows the trends in the percentage of S3 pupils achieving Third Level or better in numeracy. The percentage achieving numeracy has increased from 88.2% in 2016/17 to 89.6% in 2022/23. The attainment gap between school pupils in the most deprived and least deprived areas has narrowed since 2016/17 in Secondary numeracy.

Overall, the percentage of S3 pupils achieving Third Level or better in Literacy has increased from 87.1% in 2016/17 to 87.8% in 2022/23. The percentage achieving Numeracy has increased from 88.2% in 2016/17 to 89.6% in 2022/23.

School leaver initial destinations

The gap between leavers from the most deprived and least deprived areas in a positive initial destination has narrowed since 2015/16.

Figure 5. A line chart which shows the trends in the percentage of school leavers in a positive initial destination. Overall, the percentage of school leavers in a positive initial destination has increased, from 93.5% in 2015/16 to 95.9% in 2022/23. The gap between leavers from the most deprived and least deprived areas in a positive initial destination has narrowed since 2015/16.

Overall, the percentage of school leavers in a positive initial destination has increased, from 93.5% in 2015/16 to 95.9% in 2022/23.

School leaver attainment- National Qualifications only

The attainment gap between leavers from the most deprived and least deprived areas has narrowed since 2015/16 at SCQF Levels 4 or better, 5 or better and 6 or better.

1 pass or more at SCQF Level 4 or better 1 pass or more at SCQF Level 5 or better
Figure 6. A line chart showing trends in the percentage of school leavers with one or more qualification at SCQF Level 4 or better. School leavers with one or more pass at SCQF level 4 or better Decreased from 96.3% in 2015/16 to 96.0% in 2022/23. The attainment gap between leavers from the most deprived and least deprived areas has narrowed since 2015/16 at SCQF Levels 4 or better.
1 pass or more at SCQF Level 6 or better
Figure 7. A line chart showing trends in the percentage of school leavers with one or more qualification at SCQF Level 5 or better. School leavers with one or more pass at SCQF level 5 or better Decreased from 85.6% in 2015/16 to 84.8% in 2022/23. The attainment gap between leavers from the most deprived and least deprived areas has narrowed since 2015/16 at SCQF Levels 5 or better.
1 pass or more at SCQF Level 4 or better 1 pass or more at SCQF Level 5 or better
Figure 8. A line chart showing trends in the percentage of school leavers with one or more qualification at SCQF Level 6 or better. School leavers with one or more pass at SCQF level 6 or better 61.7% in 2015/16 to 57.9% in 2022/23 The attainment gap between leavers from the most deprived and least deprived areas has narrowed since 2015/16 at SCQF Levels 6 or better.

Overall, the percentage of school leavers with one or more qualifications has Decreased at SCQF Level 4 or better, from 96.3% in 2015/16 to 96.0% in 2022/23. Decreased at SCQF Level 5 or better, from 85.6% in 2015/16 to 84.8% in 2022/23. Decreased at SCQF Level 6 or better, from 61.7% in 2015/16 to 57.9% in 2022/23.

Notes:

  • Dashed line represents break in attainment data series due to the change in certification methods in 2020 and 2021. See publication for more details.

Annual Participation Measure

The gap between the percentage of 16 - 19-year-olds from the most deprived and least deprived areas participating in education, training or employment has narrowed since 2016.

Figure 9. A line chart showing trends in the percentage of 16-19 year olds participating in education, training or employment. Overall, the percentage of 16 - 19-year-olds participating has increased, from 90.4% in 2016 to 94.3% in 2023. The gap between the percentage of 16 - 19-year-olds from the most deprived and least deprived areas participating in education, training or employment has narrowed since 2016.

Overall, the percentage of 16 - 19-year-olds participating has increased, from 90.4% in 2016 to 94.3% in 2023.

Attendance (primary and secondary)

The gap in attendance between school pupils from the most deprived and least deprived areas has widened since 2014/15, for primary school pupils and secondary school pupils.

Primary school attendance
Figure 10. A line chart showing trends in the absence rates of Primary school pupils. Overall, attendance for Primary school pupils has decreased from 95.1% in 2014/15 to 92.2% in 2022/23. The gap in attendance between school pupils from the most deprived and least deprived areas has widened since 2014/15, for Primary school pupils.
Secondary school attendance
Figure 11. A line chart showing trends in the absence rates of Secondary school pupils. Overall, attendance for Secondary school pupils has decreased 91.8% in 2014/15 to 87.7% in 2022/23. The gap in attendance between school pupils from the most deprived and least deprived areas has widened since 2014/15, for Secondary school pupils.

Overall, attendance for Primary school pupils has decreased from 95.1% in 2014/15 to 92.2% in 2022/23. Attendance for Secondary school pupils has also decreased, from 91.8% in 2014/15 to 87.7% in 2022/23.

Notes:

  • The attendance rate for 2020/21 refers to attendance when schools were open for pupils to attend in person.
  • Attendance data is collected every two years.

27 – 30 Month Review

The gap between children from the most deprived and least deprived areas who have no developmental concerns across all domains has narrowed since 2015/16.

Percentage of children with no developmental concerns across all domains by SIMD, 2015/16 – 2021/22
Figure 12. A line chart showing trends in the percentage of children in Scotland with no developmental concerns at the 27-30 month review. Overall, the percentage of children with no developmental concerns in Scotland has increased from 72.4% in 2015/16 to 73.2% in 2021/22. The gap between children from the most deprived and least deprived areas who have no developmental concerns across all domains has narrowed since 2015/16.

Overall, the percentage of children with no developmental concerns in Scotland has increased from 72.4% in 2015/16 to 73.2% in 2021/22.

Notes:

  • These statistics are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of the pandemic should be borne in mind when considering changes over time. See the relevant section(s) of the publication for more details.
  • pp = percentage point. Percentage point gaps are calculated from unrounded numbers.

Contact

Email: socialresearch@gov.scot

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