Kids leaving school with better results
BY Connor McCann
DUNDEE’S schoolkids are performing better now than they did five years ago, a new report has revealed.
The city council says 13% more pupils in S4, S5 and S6 are gaining qualifications.
The percentage of pupils moving on to employment, college or university has also gone up since 2010 — reaching record levels.
However, Dundee’s results are still slightly behind those of other similar areas in Scotland.
Despite that, councillors will be told at a meeting tonight that efforts are going on to close the attainment gap and provide opportunities for young people from deprived areas.
Councillor Stewart Hunter, the council’s education convener, said: “While I am pleased to see many positive points that are highlighted in the report, I want to ensure even more of our young people can maximise their potential.
“Everyone involved with our schools wants to ensure pupils are equipped with the skills, abilities and flexibility to go out into the world and take on the challenges of the years ahead.
“We are committed to improving the situation for looked after children and to helping as many as possible to take up new opportunities and have positive destinations.
“I know that our schools and teachers are determined to make a difference to the lives of young people and to help prepare them for life after school.”
A report by Michael Wood, executive director of children and families services, shows that nearly 84% of kids achieved literacy or numeracy qualifications at level four or higher in 2014/15, the most recent year available.
That was up from 70.6% of pupils in 2010/11.
In other similar local authority areas, 70.9% of school leavers were achieving such a qualification.
That rose to 84.9% last year — meaning the gap between Dundee and other parts of Scotland has slightly increased.
When it comes to achieving better qualifications, though, the gap is higher. In Dundee, 51% of kids achieved reading and writing qualifications at level five or higher, compared to 57.4% in other similar areas, Mr Wood said.
He added: “Improving numeracy levels is a core priority in Dundee across all sectors of education.”