East Renfrewshire is top for school leavers taking positive next steps

Published: 4 March 2024

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

A total of 1,353 young people left East Renfrewshire schools in 2022/23, and in statistics published by the Scottish Government it has been confirmed that 1,336 (98.7%) 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% last year. It is the highest positive destination rate of any local authority in Scotland and well exceeds the national average of 95.9%.

The number of school leavers going on to Higher Education (university or an equivalent level of study) was 917 (67.8%), with 191 (14.1%) pupils progressing to Further Education (college or an equivalent level of study), 199 (14.7%) getting a job, and 29 (2.1%) 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% of their school leavers moved into a positive destination. The area's other five secondary schools all had positive destinations for more than 98% of their pupils.

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. This progress is testament to the hard work, determination, and commitment of Scotland's young people and of the SDS careers advisers working in partnership with teachers throughout East Renfrewshire to support pupils throughout their time at school and beyond.'