This Statistics Publication Notice presents national and education authority level information on the cumulative attainment of National Qualifications by all pupils in publicly funded secondary schools. It is the latest in a series of annual publications about exam results published by the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework ( SCQF) is used as the basis for reporting attainment. The SCQF levels are shown below for information.
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework |
Level | Qualifications Included |
7 | Advanced Higher @ A-C |
6 | Higher @ A-C |
5 | Standard Grade @ 1-2, Intermediate 2 @ A-C |
4 | Standard Grade @ 3-4, Intermediate 1 @ A-C |
3 | Standard Grade @ 5-6, Access 3 Cluster |
Any attainment below SCQF level 3 is not reported on in this publication.
Main findings:
- Overall attainment in Scottish schools in 2008/09 was broadly similar to the levels attained in previous years.
- A higher proportion of females than males achieved awards at all levels, by the end of all stages. In S5 and S6, this is partly due to higher staying on rates for females than males.
In 2008/09:
- Ninety-two per cent of pupils gained awards in both English and Maths at SCQF level 3 (e.g. Standard Grade Foundation) or better by the end of S4. Thirty-five per cent attained five or more awards at SCQF level 5 (e.g. Standard Grade Credit) or better by the end of S4 ( Table 2).
- By the end of S5, twenty-three per cent of the previous year's S4 year group attained three or more awards at SCQF level 6 (Higher) or better ( Table 3).
- By the end of S6, twenty per cent of the S4 year group from two years previously attained five or more awards at SCQF level 6 (Higher) or better. Thirteen per cent obtained at least one award at SCQF level 7 (Advanced Higher) ( Table 4).
Accumulation of awards over time:
- Thirty-three per cent of the S4 year group in 2006/07 gained five or more awards at SCQF level 5 (e.g. Standard Grade Credit) or better by the end of that year. By the end of S5 (2007/08), another twelve per cent of the same year group achieved this level and a further three per cent by the end of S6 (2008/09), resulting in a total of forty-eight per cent ( Table 5).
- By the end of S5, ten per cent of the S4 year group in 2006/07 achieved five or more awards at SCQF level 6 (Higher) or better. A further ten per cent of this year group gained awards at this level by the end of S6 ( Table 5).