Summary Statistics for Attainment and Initial Leaver Destinations - Data Sources and Methodology 2025

Section 3. The All SCQF measure

The school leaver attainment data in Section 5 of the main report covers attainment by school leavers in any qualification or learning programme on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF, see Section 1.3 of the main report). It covers qualifications and learning programmes achieved during the senior phase of school (years S4 to S6), and relates to pupils who left school from years S4-S6. For simplicity, throughout the remainder of this publication the range of qualifications and learning programmes on the SCQF will be referred to simply as ‘qualifications’.

The qualifications in the All SCQF measure include National Qualifications – as in Section 4 of the main report – and also other qualifications. They include qualifications provided by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and also by other providers. They do not include National Units or the Scottish Baccalaureate (although the Highers and Advanced Highers that make up the Scottish Baccalaureate are included), or qualifications below SCQF Level 3.

Section 3.1 Source, Quality Assurance and Methodology 

This measure includes attainment data from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) - including but not limited to National Qualifications - and from a number of other award providers.  

SQA data is extracted from the live SQA Awards Processing System and provided to the Scottish Government twice yearly, as described in Section 2.1. 

Attainment data from other award providers is received by the Scottish Government in July each year. Each award provider submits a file containing attainment records for the most recent academic year (i.e. from 01 August to mid-July). The data includes information about the qualification type, SCQF level, SCQF credit points and grade of each award, as well as the Scottish Candidate Number of the pupil and the centre number of the presenting centre.  

Wider award providers are given the opportunity to submit a revised attainment file in December each year with records updated to reflect the outcomes of appeals. Only amended records that were present in the July data are accepted in December – no new attainment is added. Where applicable, the December (i.e. post-appeals) version of these attainment files are used in this publication. 

Attainment records can only be included if received from providers in the correct timescales and with a valid Scottish Candidate Number attached. We endeavour to include as many award providers as possible and encourage schools and local authorities to let us know of any new providers as soon as they begin offering qualifications within their school, so that we can get in touch with them. Only awards which are on the SCQF framework are included. 

The qualifications included in the All SCQF measure can be associated with different numbers of SCQF credit points. More information can be found in Section 4.2.

As for the National Qualifications measure, the All SCQF measure uses the 'latest and best' approach where only the best result within a subject is counted.  

Section 3.2 Numbers of qualifications included in the All SCQF measure over time 

When considering changes in attainment over time under the All SCQF measure, it is important to keep in mind that the numbers of qualifications included in the measure has changed over time. There are a number of reasons for this. For example, it could be because new providers or courses have been added to the SCQF, it could be because data has been received for courses or from providers for which data has previously not been provided or it could reflect changing presentation policies in schools or local authorities. 

Generally speaking, the range of qualifications in which school leavers have gained attainment has been increasing over time. Further information is available on request. 

Section 3.3 Sizes of qualifications included in the All SCQF measure over time 

Just as the numbers of qualifications included in the All SCQF measure can change over time, so too does  the breadth in the types and sizes of qualifications change.

The proportions of qualifications gained by school leavers that are associated with one or two SCQF credit points has increased over time, particularly since 2018-19. 3.7 per cent of qualifications gained by school leavers at SCQF level 6 or above under the All SCQF measure in 2023-24 were associated with one or two SCQF credit points, up from less than 0.1 per cent in 2017-18. 

Section 3.4 Variation between local authorities under the All SCQF measure

Just as there can be differences in the make-up of the qualifications included in the All SCQF measure over time, there can be differences in attainment from one local authority to another due to differing presentation policies. And there can also be variation within a single local authority over time.  

Table 1 shows the proportion of qualifications attained by school leavers at SCQF Level 6 and above that were associated with one or two SCQF credit points, at Scotland level and across the local authorities. There is considerable variation between local authorities, and also over time within individual local authorities. This should be kept in mind when making comparisons between local authorities and when comparing attainment over time within individual local authorities.

Table 1: Percentage of all All SCQF qualifications attained by school leavers at SCQF Level 6 and above that were associated with 1-2 credit points, by local authority, 2018-19 to 2022-24 

Note: Keep in mind the context of each individual local authority, if making comparisons between them.