Comhairle schools are performing at above average levels

Due to the significant and on-going impact of Covid-19, a number of the typical measures of quality and performance in education are not available for 2020 and others have been amended or collected in different ways to previous years.

This makes analysis of quality improvement trends difficult. However, where information is available it is clear that Comhairle Schools have performed well.

SQA Results

Headline performance in the revised results from SQA national qualifications in 2020 showed that there were 2823 presentations for awards at all levels in Comhairle Schools. Of these presentations, 2604 resulted in an A-C pass, indicating an overall pass rate of 92.2 per cent.

518 awards in Comhairle schools were upgraded following the Deputy First Minister’s announcement in August about reverting to teacher estimates and 146 of these reinstatements increased the award to a pass.

Attendance

For the period August 17 to October 31, 2020, the overall average attendance at Comhairle schools was 93.7 per cent, with primary schools reporting 95.8 per cent and secondaries 90.2 per cent attendance. This rate of attendance is well above national figures.

The average attendance in 2019 for the same period was 94.9 per cent, indicating that the previously reported indications of a slight reduction in attendance has now stabilised.

Modern Apprenticeships and Work Based Learning

A higher number of young people in the Western Isles are choosing to move into employment or work-based training rather than to stay on in school.

This is a strong indicator of success in the Comhairle’s policy to strengthen the local economy and retain young people through a strong programme of modern apprenticeships and work-based learning.

Cllr Angus McCormack, Chair of the Comhairle’s Education, Sport and Children’s Services Committee commented: “Despite living through very difficult times our young people in the Western Isles have surpassed themselves in their achievements.

“I wish to thank them, their teachers, parents and guardians for all their hard work throughout what was an exceptional 2020 for education.

“Ninety seven per cent of our young people have gone to the future destination of choice.

“More young people are choosing to stay and work in the islands and that is largely because of the success of the Modern Apprenticeship courses.”