Satisfaction with Schools

Satisfaction with schools – all adults

In 2024, 69% of adults were satisfied with local schools, the same as in 2023 (69%; Table 1). Satisfaction with schools has generally decreased over time since the peak of 85% in 2011, with a small increase between 2017 and 2019, before dropping sharply again to 69% in 2022 and remaining at this level since then (Figure 1).

Although satisfaction levels are similar to 2023, there has been an increase in dissatisfaction from 7% in 2023 to 9% in 2024 with a corresponding decrease in those who were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied from 24% to 22%.

Figure 1. Satisfaction with schools has generally decreased over time since 2011

Satisfaction with the quality of local schools by year, Scotland, 2007/2008-2024

Satisfaction with schools in 2024 varied by local authority (Table 1), with the lowest levels of satisfaction in East Lothian (50%), Midlothian (53%) and Dumfries and Galloway (58%). The highest levels of satisfaction were in East Renfrewshire (88%), North Ayrshire (84%) and East Dunbartonshire (83%).

Satisfaction with schools in 2024 was similar to 2023 for the majority of local authorities. Satisfaction increased in one local authority, North Lanarkshire, from 64% to 73% with a corresponding decrease in those who were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. Satisfaction decreased in two local authorities; in East Lothian from 88% to 50% and in Midlothian from 73% to 53%. East Lothian saw a significant increase in both those who were dissatisfied and those who were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied whilst Midlothian saw only a significant increase in those who were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.

In general, satisfaction with local schools was similar across urban and rural areas (Table 2) with the exception of accessible small towns (66%) where satisfaction was lower than in remote rural areas (74%).

In general, satisfaction with local schools was similar across Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintiles (Table 3) with the exception of SIMD quintile 3 (67%) where satisfaction was lower than in SIMD quintile 4 and SIMD quintile 5 (20 % least deprived; both quintiles 72%).

Satisfaction with schools – services users

Service users of local schools are identified by whether there is a school-aged child present in the household. As with previous years, in 2024 service users were more satisfied with local schools (81%) than non-service users (63%; Table 4). Although satisfaction with schools for service users is similar to 2023 (83%), it is the lowest it has been since the start of the time series in 2007/2008 (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Satisfaction with schools for service users is the lowest it has been since the start of the time series in 2007/2008

Satisfaction with the quality of local schools by service user status and year, Scotland, 2007/2008-2024

Satisfaction with schools for service users varied by local authority in 2024 (Table 4). Due to low sample sizes most of the local authority data has been suppressed. For local authorities where data is available, the lowest level of service user satisfaction was in East Ayrshire (68%) with the highest level of service user satisfaction in West Lothian (86%).

In general, satisfaction with local schools for service users was similar across Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintiles (Table 5) with the exception of SIMD quintile 3 (75%) where satisfaction was lower than in SIMD quintile 4 (84%).

Satisfaction with schools for service users where a school-aged child with a long-term condition is present (70%) is lower than for service users where no school-aged child with a long-term condition is present (83%) (Table 6).