Improved Attainment Over Last 5 Years For Highland Schools
25th November 2022
Highland schools have made significant progress in improving their attainment outcomes for senior phase SQA results over the last 5 years.
Education Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: "We welcome the positive attainment outcomes covered in the report and further highlighted by the attainment presentation at committee. The continued improvements we are seeing demonstrate the hard work of our schools and the resilience of our pupils who have made these improvements despite the disruption they have experienced on the back of the last two years from the pandemic. I look forward to the continued collaborative work with Officers, Head Teachers and Members to continue to raise school attainment and achievement in our schools."
The SQA results for 2022 is the first year that formal exams have taken place since 2019.
Particular improvement can be seen in the percentage of S4 learners attaining 5+, and 3+ Awards at SCQF Level 5 in S4. This has increased significantly and both measures are the highest in 5 years, resulting in a narrowing of the gap compared to National data for the same measures.
The attainment gap has also closed in Highland over a 4-year period, in most instances this being as a result of our most vulnerable pupils increasing in attainment.
Schools have reported that Covid has impacted particularly on young people living in deprivation, as evidenced by the increasing attainment gap during the pandemic for S4 and S6 in particular. However, there is an indication that the gap has started to close again this session.
A helpful presentation containing the high-level attainment messages and next steps in Highland was presented to Members of the Education Committee and is available to watch by webcast on the Council's website.
Secondary school-based attainment meetings will take place at the end of this year. At these meetings stretch targets for session 2022/23 will be set with each school.
Read the full report HERE
Pdf 16 pages
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Aarons of Wick Ltd informed The Highland Council at lunchtime on Friday 4 October that with immediate effect they were unable to continue to operate any school or public service journeys which require a full-size bus. The Council has sourced replacement services from Dunnetts Transport for the Reay - Thurso and Bower – Castletown – Thurso services.
New funding for critical infrastructure projects that will help boost employment, empower communities and ensure a sustainable future for Scotland's island communities has been announced by First Minister John Swinney. Ten projects have been awarded a share of the Scottish Government's £3 million 2024/25 Islands Programme Fund.
Council Leaders have (27th September 2024) withdrawn support for the Scottish Government's revised National Care Service Bill. The Bill is currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament.
A new contract has been awarded to Perthshire's Wyllie Recycling Ltd for the provision of mixed plastic and metal container recycling services and haulage in Highland. This includes plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, metals tins, drink cans, aerosols and food and drink cartons which are collected in the new green recycling bins.
The Highland Council is asking any businesses, companies or organisations who are planning to hold any type of market, including Christmas or festive type markets, to contact the Licensing Service to check if they require a market operator's licence. If a licence is required, organisers will have to have applied for, and had this granted, prior to the market taking place.
The Highland Council Trading Standards service is urging motorists to be aware of a recent trend in scam texts aimed at tricking people into thinking they have to act quickly to pay a parking penalty charge notice (PCN). The text asks you to pay the PCN which has been issued by "a local Council".
Members at meeting of The Highland Council 919 Septmber2024) agreed a refined strategy and action plan for the Council's approach to Community Wealth Building. The Community Wealth Building Strategy 2024 - 2027 provides an alternative approach to economic development and a practical response that aims to keep wealth within a local area.
Following a process of review, including extensive stakeholder engagement, The Highland Council has completed an options appraisal on the future of Thor House in Thurso. The Council can now confirm that it intends to reinstate the property as a short break house for children with disability.
At the Education Committee today (Thursday 12 September 2024) Members agreed to the recommendation to transfer Youth Work and Adult Learning to the Council from High Life Highland. The final contract review report will come to the Committee in November 2024 for consideration.
The Education Committee met today (Thursday 12 September 2024) and agreed the Community Learning and Development Plan 2024-2027. Community Learning and Development (CLD) plays an important role in ensuring individuals, families and communities reach their potential, through lifelong learning, mutual self-help and community organisation, ensuring support and opportunities are community-led and built around people's individual and collective aspirations.