Introduction

This publication brings together headline statistics from the annual censuses on pupils and teachers. These statistics were previously published in the Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland publication series. That publication series has been replaced by three separate series covering:

• pupils and teachers (this publication)
• attendance, absence and exclusions
• early learning and childcare

This change aligns with best practice guidance to improve the clarity, length and accessibility of statistical publications. All the statistics on pupils and teachers that were formerly part of Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland continue to be published, either in this bulletin or in the initial release of the supplementary statistics for pupils and teachers.

The main purpose of this bulletin is to present the latest statistics. Where helpful for context, statistics from recent years (usually back to 2019) are also included. The complete set of statistics over time, as well as more detailed breakdowns, are available in the supplementary statistics for pupils and teachers. An initial release of the 2025 edition is available now and the full updates are scheduled for March.

The statistics in this bulletin supersede all previously published statistics.

An Accredited Official Statistics Publication for Scotland

These statistics are accredited official statistics. The Office for Statistics Regulation has independently reviewed and accredited these statistics as complying with the standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

These statistics were accredited in April 2014; full details can be found in the accreditation notice.

Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.

Scottish Government statistics are regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

More information about Scottish Government statistics is available on the Scottish Government website.