Average number of entries into SQA qualifications for S4 pupils: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for the average number of entries into SQA qualifications per S4 pupil at each secondary school in Scotland. You asked for the information in an Excel table and for the information to be broken down by school for each of the last 10 school years i.e. 2017/18, 2016/17, 2015/16, and so on. You referred to the answer to the Parliamentary question S5W-22873 as a reference point for the data you are seeking for each secondary in Scotland.

Response

I enclose a copy of all the data you requested in the format you asked for. Note that these figures are consistent with the revised answer to Parliamentary Question S5W-22873.

Average entries have been calculated based on the number of S4 pupils. In some schools, curriculum design means that relatively few pupils are entered for SQA qualifications in S4, therefore the resulting averages may look relatively low. It is important to consider the curriculum design of individual schools when interpreting the figures and when making any comparisons between schools. Where a pupil is not entered for any qualifications they will not contribute to the number of entries but will contribute to the number of pupils.

The senior phase of secondary school is a three-year experience. The priority is to enable young people to secure a range of qualifications and achievements on leaving school. Choices regarding the curriculum design are taken at a local level to ensure that they can be tailored to specific needs, but every child in Scotland should have access to a broad range of subject choices, including college and work-based learning options. It should be noted that as the figures provided here are based on the number of entries into SQA qualifications by S4 pupils they are not a measure of the choices available for young people in each school.

Please also note that the figures provided here are based on entries into all SQA qualifications and awards in line with the wording of your request. This differs from statistics on school leaver attainment which are published in the 'Summary Statistics for Attainment and School Leaver Destinations' which are based on National Qualifications only.

About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI-201900001586 - Information Released

File type

Excel document

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207.1 kB