Figures reveal education gulf

Litmus test as authority faces cash challenges

New figures show that educational attainment for high school pupils from poorer backgrounds has fallen in Perth and Kinross, despite being one of the best funded services in

Last year 32 per cent of pupils from less well off areas earned five or more qualifications at Intermediate 2 level, a fall from 40 per cent the year before, and also less than the national average and comparable councils.

And at the equivalent in Higher level, one in 10 pupils earned awards, short of the national average of 15 per cent.

In terms of all school pupils the figures appeared better, with 62 per cent of pupils earning five awards at National 2 level, and 36 per cent at Higher and above - both were above Scottish averages. Some 95, per cent of Perth and Kinross pupils also went on to ‘positive destinations’ such as university.

The longer-term trends show that in recent years standards had improved largely in line with the national picture.

Previously, the area was among the top performers.

The figures are part of a report to go before councillors tomorrow. They have been compiled for the Local Government Benchmarking Framework.

The author of the report says that even minor fluctuations could be responsible for the falls. Overall, PKC is said to be competing with similar authorities in this area.

They said: “However, there is still a very substantial ‘gap’ between the most deprived and the average, reflecting a wide range of factors including the different choices different pupils make and the qualifications necessary to pursue them.

“Within Perth and Kinross, pupils achieving 5+ passes at SCQF level 6 is consistently above the national results, and shows improvement over five years.

“These results reflect the dedication of pupils and staff to success across a broad range of subjects, and demonstrate the effectiveness of the ongoing work to raise attainment for all.

But, we fully recognise the challenges around the attainment ‘gaps’ and other inequities in outcomes for children and young people.”

PKC spends £4870 per primary school pupil, and £7076 per secondary school pupil - both are well above the Scottish averages of £4744 and £6729 respectively. Both nationally and in Perth and Kinross primary-age costs have come down, but secondary school funding levels have increased. In the longer term there is expected to be an increase in return from the attainment fund which is to be sent to headteachers.

Despite the drop in cost per head at primary level, there has been an increase in standards.

The benchmarking report also covers other key areas delivered by Perth and Kinross Council.

These include social care, parks and leisure.

The report states: “For adult social care, the council has noted that it was among the top in Scotland for how much it spends on people seeking self-directed support, a growing area of meeting people’s needs.”

Perth and Kinross ranks as the second best place in Scotland for satisfaction with parks and open spaces.

National trends show that more people are visiting culture and leisure sites including sports centres and libraries, despite a decrease in the money being spent on this sector.

A drop in satisfaction rates has been noted across Scotland.

PKC has followed suit with less money being spent here, but despite a drop in money being spent on parks, the area still remained second in 2015-16.

The council had invested heavily for the Ryder Cup in the year before.

Council tenants now have to wait on average nearly two weeks for repairs, the report states.

Previously the wait was nine days, but PKC says it is working on solutions.

Following on from concern about money owed to the council last week, council officers say rent arrears figures have increased over three years from 7.6 per cent to 10.4 per cent.

The council meeting is due to hear the authority plans to use its business plan to help it meet the challenges.