Supporting Attainment for Dundee Pupils

An increasing number of Dundee pupils are moving into positive destinations when they leave school.

The Children, Families and Communities Committee will consider an update on the attainment of senior phase leavers at its next meeting. 

This outlines data on leavers in S4-S6 classes for the school year 2022-23, looking at national measures: 

• Percentage of Leavers attaining Literacy and Numeracy 
• Improving Attainment for All  
• Attainment versus Deprivation 
• Percentage of School Leavers in an initial Positive Destination 

This latest report shows that the highest percentage of Dundee leavers went on to positive destinations, with 95.6% going on to higher education, further education, training, voluntary work, employment and activity arrangements.  

The number of pupils moving to a positive destination is higher than the Tayside Collaborative's average and higher than Dundee's virtual comparators.  

The report also highlights that the percentage of Dundee school leavers attaining both literacy and numeracy at SCQF Level 5 or better increased from 60% in 2022 to 63% in 2023. 

In addition, the percentage of school leavers attaining both literacy and numeracy at SCQF Level 4 or better has remained at around 85% for the last five years. 

Furthermore, 88% of care experienced school leavers last year achieved SCQF Level 4 or better in both literacy and numeracy.  

Last year, saw the highest percentage of leavers with additional support needs attaining literacy and numeracy at SCQF Level 5 or higher.  

To continue to improve young people’s attainment, each school will implement an improving school attendance strategy and ensure that Attainment Scotland funds are being used effectively to address barriers to learning and achievement  

Convener of the Children, Families and Communities Committee Stewart Hunter said: "This is positive report and really highlights the great work our young people have put into achieving these results. 

"Improving the attainment and achievement of our young people is a key priority and this report shows that we are making progress in several areas, particularly for our care experienced young people. 

"We are not going to be complacent and understand there is a lot more we can do to accelerate and sustain this progress. 

"Going forward, we will be undertaking several measures to improve attainment including embedding our Every Dundee Learner Matters strategy in our schools and strengthening the school-college partnership." 

This year's data is based on 1,441 senior phase pupils who left Dundee during the 2022/23 session. 

The committee will meet on May 13.