Summary statistics for schools in Scotland no. 10: 2019 edition

Results of the annual pupil and teacher census and early learning and childcare provision conducted in September 2019 and attendance, absence and exclusions for the 2018 to 2019 school year.


Chapter 1: Introduction

This publication brings together information on pupils and teachers at publicly funded schools and early learning and childcare provision.

Early learning and childcare

  • Local authorities have a duty to secure a part-time funded place (currently 600 hours a year) for three and four year olds and eligible two year olds
  • Places are provided by local authority services, or secured through partnership arrangements with private or third sector services

Primary schools

  • Children usually start school between 4. and 5. years old
  • There are seven stages from Primary 1 (P1) to Primary 7 (P7)
  • Pupils are not streamed by ability at primary school and automatically move up a stage each year

Secondary schools

  • Pupils attend for up to six years (S1-S6)
  • Qualifications are usually taken in S4 to S6 starting at age 15-16

Special schools

  • Most children with additional support needs are educated in mainstream schools but some with complex or specific needs are educated in special schools
  • Not all local authorities have special schools
  • In these statistics pupils attending special schools are not assigned to primary or secondary or to a stage

Teachers

  • Most teachers have a four year degree including or concurrent with a teaching qualification, or have completed a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) following a degree
  • Teaching graduates from a Scottish university are guaranteed a one year probationary teaching post and are referred to as induction scheme teachersin these statistics

Attendance, absence and exclusions

  • Attendance, or reason for absence, is recorded daily
  • Pupils may be excluded where their continued attendancewould be seriously detrimental to order and discipline in the school or the educational wellbeing of other learners
  • Information on attendance, absence and exclusions is collected and published biennially

Contact

Email: Alasdair.Anthony@gov.scot

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