Raising Attainment Strategy update

28th August 2025

The Highland Council's Education Committee met on (Wednesday 27 August 2025) to update Members on its progress implementing the new structure of the Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy (RAAS) 2025-2028 and its plans to ensure continuous improvement in Education and Learning.

The RAAS will be fully realised over the next three years and annually reviewed. As well as covering the four areas outlined as part of the RAAS (Leadership, Learning and Teaching, Curriculum and Data), this new plan will also capture other actions required to ensure a focus on priorities. Therefore, the 2025/26 Education and Learning Improvement/National Improvement Framework (NIF) plan will include key areas of work that require focussed improvement activity to underpin the RAAS: Implementation of the Parental Involvement and Engagement Strategy; an updated Health and Wellbeing Strategy; and a focus on Inclusive Practice and Additional Support Needs.

More than 6200 young people in Highland received their exam results on 4 August 2025 and an in-depth analysis of the senior phase attainment for 2025 will be brought to Education Committee in November 2025.

An early snapshot of attainment data indicates improvement made at both National 5 and Higher and at primary level - A Curriculum for Excellence Level (ACEL) data collection and analysis is in the process of being concluded, and early indications show that in both Literacy and Numeracy have made improvements on the previous year.

Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: "The pattern of improving attainment in our senior phase attainment for 2025 is welcomed. It’s important to acknowledge that this is only the second group of exams with no adjustments having been made to assessment models to reflect the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, so it is promising to see that despite this our pupil’s attainment across the senior phase continues to rise.

“However, our schools continue to face challenges in relation to supporting the health & wellbeing and attendance of learners. I welcome the holistic, whole system approach to attainment which will track the learning journey from early years, through education and into a sustained positive destination for all children and young people, with a particular focus on those who face disadvantage and barriers to learning. The Highland’s Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy outlines key strategies and approaches to ensure we continue to raise attainment and focus on key priorities over the coming years."