Summary Statistics For Schools In Scotland 2021

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 1,140 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 4½ and 5½ years old
• There are seven stages from P rimary 1 (P1) to P rimary 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 school s 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 teachers in these statistics