A significant majority of Scottish school leavers have entered positive destinations, such as employment, training, college, or university, three months after completing their studies. New figures reveal that 95.7% of young people achieved such outcomes in 2024-25, equalling the previous year’s performance.
This percentage represents the second highest figure recorded since consistent data collection began in 2009-10, matching the level seen in 2021-22. The statistics also indicate a trend of more pupils choosing to remain in school until S6, with a reduction of 544 pupils leaving at S4, bringing that figure to 7,540, and a decrease in S5 leavers to 370.
Furthermore, the proportion of young people securing multiple qualifications has increased over the past year. A record 68.6% of leavers obtained five or more qualifications at SCQF Level 5, equivalent to National 5. The number of those leaving with five or more qualifications at SCQF Level 6, equivalent to Highers, rose to 40.8%.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth commented on the data, stating the new statistics demonstrate a “strong recovery” in education following the pandemic. She added: “This underlines the strong recovery we are seeing in education, following the pandemic and the importance of the breadth of choice schools offer to young people in the senior phase.” Ms Gilruth also acknowledged the “hard work of learners, teachers and parents and carers” and referenced recent ACEL statistics showing “record levels of literacy and numeracy in Scotland’s schools.”
Despite these positive trends, concerns have been voiced regarding the widening attainment gap. The Scottish Liberal Democrats highlighted an increase in the gap at SCQF Level 4, which grew to 19.5 percentage points from 17.8 percentage points in 2018-19.
The data also showed a disparity of 4.7 percentage points between the proportion of leavers from the most and least deprived areas entering a positive initial destination. While this gap is wider than the 4.3 percentage points recorded in 2023-24, it remains narrower than the 5.4 percentage points seen in 2018-19. For those pursuing various interests, including major sporting events, the breadth of choices available in Scotland is a key factor.
Addressing the attainment gap, Ms Gilruth stated: “The Scottish Government has invested £1.75 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the past decade helping improve outcomes for children and young people impacted by poverty and, while this latest data shows there is more to do, we remain determined to address this.” She also underscored the importance of Scotland’s commitment to free university tuition, ensuring that “education is based on the ability to learn, not pay.”
The recently passed Tertiary Education and Training Bill will also place apprenticeships on a statutory footing for the first time, providing parity with other post-school routes. Beyond academic and vocational paths, young people in Scotland also engage widely in Scottish sport, which offers its own avenues for development and community engagement. The diverse opportunities available to young people contribute to a vibrant national life, whether in education, employment, or even in cultural and sporting pursuits, such as the Inverness Half Marathon.
For more information on education policy in Scotland, visit the Scottish Government website. Details on initiatives to address educational inequality can be found at the Scottish Attainment Challenge page.
