Schools in Scotland 2022: summary statistics

Headline school and early learning and childcare (ELC) statistics

In 2022 the number of pupils increased and teacher full-time equivalents (FTE) decreased. However, these changes were relatively small so the pupil teacher ratio (PTR), which gives a measure of the size of the teaching workforce relative to the pupil population, remained at 13.2 after rounding.

Teacher numbers increased in most sectors (secondary, special schools, centrally employed and ELC) but the decrease in the primary sector was large enough to result in a reduction in teacher FTE overall. Furthermore, the decrease in primary teachers was proportionally higher than the decrease in primary pupils meaning there were more pupils per teacher and consequently the primary PTR increased from 15.1 to 15.3. In secondary schools there was an increase in both teachers and pupils, and the secondary PTR remained at 12.4. (Statistics pre-2016 are available from the supplementary statistics and historical time series).

Table 1: Publicly funded schools in Scotland

Note 1: ELC centre count includes local authority and partnership centres

Note 2: Prior to 2018, special schools with no pupils or where no pupils were on roll but pupils from other schools attended were included in school counts in this table. From 2018, they have been excluded.

Table 2: Pupils by sector

Note 1: Special and total pupil count were updated for 2011-2016 in October 2017. See background notes for details.

Table 3: Teachers by sector

Note 1: ELC teachers include ELC home visiting.

Table 4: Pupil teacher ratios (PTR) by sector

Note 1: Includes all school based and centrally employed teachers. Includes grant-aided pupils and teachers.

Note 2: Based in schools excludes centrally employed teachers.