Schools achieve highest positive destination rate

The highest-ever proportion of pupils leaving East Renfrewshire schools went on to university, college, work or training, latest figures have revealed.

A total of 1,353 young people left East Renfrewshire schools in 2022/23.

And statistics published by the Scottish Government confirmed 1,336 (98.7 per cent) students had made a positive next step in their development.

This is the highest proportion ever recorded in East Renfrewshire – with the previous best being 98.5 per cent last year.

It is the highest positive destination rate of any local authority in Scotland and well exceeds the national average of 95.9 per cent.

The number of school leavers going on to higher education (university or an equivalent level of study) was 917 (67.8 per cent), with 191 (14.1 per cent) pupils progressing to further education (college or an equivalent level of study), 199 (14.7 per cent) getting a job, and 29 (2.1 per cent) taking training courses, personal development programmes and volunteering.

In all of East Renfrewshire’s schools, almost all school leavers achieved a positive destination.

In Barrhead High and Woodfarm High, 100 per cent of their school leavers moved into a positive destination.

Councillor Andrew Anderson, convener of education, equalities, culture and leisure, said:“Our schools are recognised as being some of the best in the country, so it is extremely pleasing to see that our pupils are building on all their excellent experiences and taking this into the next stage of their learning.

“Of the 17 school leavers who had not yet made a positive next step when these figures were collected, none were in the category of“unknown”.

“This demonstrates the relationships that school staff, working in partnership with Skills Development Scotland colleagues and our education department’s Developing the Young Workforce team, have with school leavers when they are able to track their post school progress and offer support to leavers whenever it is needed.

“It is clear that we are preparing our young people well for their future learning and careers and will continue to work to support the small number still looking to make that next step.”

Sharon McIntyre, head of career information, advice and guidance operations at Skills Development Scotland, added:“It’s hugely encouraging to see East Renfrewshire achieving the highest positive destination rate in Scotland.”