A numbers game

More pupils in South Lanarkshire are achieving expected numeracy levels than the Scottish average.

There has been a steady increase in attainment at all stages since 2015-16.

More than 87 per cent (up by 4.3 per cent) of P1 pupils in South Lanarkshire are reaching the expected levels compared with a national average of 84.7 per cent.

Over three quarters of P4 pupils attained expected numeracy levels in 2017-18 - about the same as the national average.

However, P7 numeracy attainment levels did not increase in 2017-18 and fell 0.7 per cent below the national average.

Carole McKenzie, of the education department, felt this could be a one-off. She said:“This could be attributed to natural fluctuation. We are asking schools to look at performance in P7 next year.”

Both secondary school indicators - S3 third and S3 fourth - rose well above the national average and increased by over five per cent to 91.2 per cent and 60.9 per cent respectively.

Ms McKenzie detailed the next steps for the authority as it continues to seek improvement. Among other things, she added:“Data will continue to be gathered in specific numeracy and mathematics interventions to measure the impact these interventions are having on the attainment of the children and young people involved.

“Work will be undertaken with mathematics departments in secondary schools in relation to broad general education courses and the transition to the senior phase.”