Democracy Spraffa

Raising Attainment Update Appendix 1

Perth and Kinross Council · 25 October 2023
Back to Learning and Families Committee — 25 October 2023 and its agenda

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Education & Children’
Improving Lives Together
Ambition  Compassion  Integrity
Education & Children’s Services
5.23
Attainment Report 
2022-2023 
Raising Attainment Strategy 
Appendix 1

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Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................. 1
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1
NIF Priority 1: Improvement in attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy. ............................... 3
Case Study 1 – Improving Primary Attainment in Writing ...................................................................... 3
Case Study 2 – St John’s Academy   Raising Attainment S4 .................................................................... 6
NIF Priority 2: Closing the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged. ....................... 6
NIF Priority 3: Improvement in children and young people’s health and wellbeing. ............................. 8
Case Study 3 – PKC Nurturing Relationships Programme ..................................................................... 10
Case Study 4 – Perth High School  Reflect, Restore and Re-engage (RRR) Provision ............................ 11
Case Study 5 – Perth Grammar School  Outreach Programme ............................................................. 12
Case Study 6 – Art of Friendship 2023 .................................................................................................. 13
NIF Priority 4: Improvement in employability skills and sustained, positive school leaver destinations
for all young people. ............................................................................................................................. 14
Case Study 7 – Scotland’s Enterprising Schools .................................................................................... 15
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 15
Annexe 1 – Glossary of Acronyms ......................................................................................................... 16

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1 
Executive Summary
The Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-2024 was produced and submitted to the Scottish
Government in September 2023. This annual plan meets the requirements set out by the Scottish
Government on planning and reporting progress on the priorities set out in the National Improvement
Framework (NIF) for education.
This supplementary report provides more detail on the attainment data and provides an update on key
achievements for the academic session 2022/23 in progress against the NIF.
It is helpful to consider this report alongside the Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-2024 which
considers the full breadth of services provided in the area, including those supporting children and families
in a range of ways which may not relate directly to school-based attainment and achievement but act to
support children and young people to achieve their fullest potential.
The Scottish Government document ‘Framework for Recovery and Accelerating Progress’ has been
developed to support the next phase of the Scottish Attainment Challenge. It aims to set high expectations,
including annual, ambitious, locally identified stretch aims. The objective is to help ensure significant
progress is made in recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and in achieving the mission of
the Scottish Attainment Challenge. The PKC Raising Attainment Strategy 2020-2023 came to an end last
session. The next iteration of the strategy will focus on those stretch aims described above and will come to
committee in March 2024.
Introduction
The report outlines progress towards each of the relevant priorities identified in the NIF and provides some
exemplification of activity outlined in the Education Service Improvement Plan 2022-2023 against each of
these priorities:
• Improvement in attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy.
• Closing the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged.
• Improvement in children and young people’s health and wellbeing.
• Improvement in employability skills and sustained, positive school leaver destinations for all
young people.
The following outcome
• Placing the human rights and needs of every child and young person at the centre of
education
is addressed in the Education Improvement Plan 2022-23 and the Learner Participation Strategy.
The Framework for Recovery and Accelerating Progress (the Framework) has been developed to support
the next phase of the Scottish Attainment Challenge (SAC). It aims to set high expectations, including
annual stretch aims, developed across all 32 education authorities, to help ensure significant progress is
made in recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and in achieving the mission of the SAC.
These stretch aims in PKC last session were:
• Achievement of literacy and numeracy levels for stages P1, P4, P7 and S3.
• Achievement of literacy and numeracy levels looked after children in P1, P4 and P7.
• Proportion of school leavers attaining one or more passes at SCQF level 5. 
• Proportion of school leavers attaining one or more passes at SCQF level 6.
• Participation measure: proportion of 16-19 years olds participating in education, employment or
training based on Annual Participation Measure produced by Skills Development Scotland (SDS).
• Attendance and Exclusion measures in primary and secondary schools.
• Average Insight tariff points for school leavers.
• Average Insight tariff points for looked after school leavers.

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Excellence and Equity 
In order to identify if the actions taken to improve our priorities have been effective, measures are aligned to
the strategy’s two overall objectives.
1.  Excellence – we strive to improve performance across the board. In simple terms we aim to
increase the combined ‘average’ of all individuals and raise the line. 
2.  Equity – we strive to reduce the “gaps” between those disadvantaged in different ways because of
their circumstances. In simple terms, we aim to flatten the line across groups of different
advantage/deprivation. 
These principles are shown simply above but progress is a complex combination of these two factors. In
showing progress, we aim to draw upon a broad range of evidence rather than relying on single, narrow
measures. Changes are likely to be seen reliably over several years and year-by-year comparison should
be considered with care.
At local authority level, the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) is used where necessary to
understand the effects of poverty, in line with national level approaches. However, for many schools in PKC,
SIMD is considered weak for differentiating pupil background or statistical analysis, and the ACORN
classification is used preferentially.
SQA Assessment Models 2020-2023
In 2020 qualifications were delivered purely as a result of teacher professional judgement over a shortened
school year; in 2021 we followed an “Alternative Certification Model” allowing young people more
opportunity to evidence their learning than a one off examination; in 2022 there were mitigations and
alterations to the assessment and examination landscape with SQA stating that evidence would be marked
“generously” and in 2023 these alterations remained but rather than generously these scripts would now be
marked “sensitively”. Each session since 2020 where the pass rate nationally was at a record high this has
resulted in a year-on-year decline in national pass rates. In 2023 pass rates have fallen nationally by up to
2%.

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NIF Priority 1: Improvement in attainment, particularly in literacy and
numeracy.
Pre-School Development
Proportion of P1 children meeting all developmental milestones prior to starting school 
The proportion of P1s meeting all their expected developmental milestones has decreased slightly in 2023
to 79.8%. For this cohort of children, all 9 developmental milestones (Attention, Behaviour, Emotional
Development, Fine Motor Skills, Gross Motor Skills, Hearing, Social Development, Speech and Language
and Vision) have seen a drop in levels of achievement. Speech and language development and social and
emotional development are the areas which are most affected. 
Our data aligns with that published in Public Health Scotland’s Early Child Development Statistics in April
2023, highlighting the national increase in the proportion of children with a developmental concern
assessed during the 13– 15-month, 27-30 month, and 4–5-year child health reviews. 
Work is being undertaken across all ELC settings to mitigate the impact of these developmental concerns
and to ensure that children are supported to achieve their potential through a focus on the overall quality of
provision, outdoor learning, language development and emotional resilience.
Broad General Education
There has been steady progress over time in P1,4 and 7 Achievement of a Curriculum for Excellence (CfE)
Level (ACEL). In 2022-2023 a targeted programme of work to improve writing with 6 pilot schools created
significant improvement in writing in these schools. This methodology will be used in at least 20 more
schools in session 2023-2024. 
Case Study 1 – Improving Primary Attainment in Writing
Find out more about the National Improving Writing Programme by clicking on the link below. 
Improving Attainment in Writing 2022-2023 (office.com)

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ACEL Combined Primary Attainment over Time
Whole School Average 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23
Listening and talking 76% 82% 82% 73% 81% 85% 85%
Reading 70% 77% 76% 70% 75% 78% 78%
Writing 63% 70% 69% 63% 68% 71% 72%
Maths 67% 74% 73% 68% 73% 77% 77%
All areas 69% 76% 75% 69% 74% 78% 78%
Primary attainment levels have risen in writing in session 2022-23 and maintained the previous
improvement seen in session 2021-22 for all other measures. This is part of a sustained positive trend
since 2016/17. Continued focus on writing, involving more schools, will be the main improvement activity in
the current session.
Secondary BGE Literacy and Numeracy
In S3 the improvements created in 2022 through the deployment of focused intervention strategies were
maintained in 2023. 
S3 Achievement over Time
Greater focus and rigour around level 4 attainment created an overall improvement in literacy and
numeracy from 52% to 65%. 
Senior Phase 
In 2023 SQA pass rates in PKC, in line with the national picture, were lower than in 2022 but higher than
2019 following the trend nationally of reducing pass rates overall after a significant increase in 2020. This is
exemplified in the graph below for National 5.
National 5 Pass Rate 2019-2023
Highlighted series green for Perth & Kinross and blue for Scotland. All other Local authorities in light grey. 
Shaded areas represent years utilising alternative approaches to assessment.

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The pass rate for National 5 is above the Scottish average and has fallen less between 2022-2023 than the
rest of Scotland. 
The table below represents our 2023 performance in A-C pass rates in relation to the national average and
comparator authorities. Pass rates in National 5 and Higher are positive in PKC while our Advanced Higher
pass rate will require further analysis.
Nat 5, Higher and AH Pass rates (A to C) PKC, National and Comparator Authorities 
PKC Scotland Argyll &
Bute
Aberdeenshire Highland Scottish
Borders
Stirling
Nat 5 80.9 78.8 78.8 77.8 78.2 77.4 80.2
Higher 76.6 77.1 77.3 75.5 77.3 76.1 80.5
AH 77.2 79.8 79.4 75.7 80.6 77.3 82.1

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NIF Priority 2: Closing the attainment gap between the most and least
disadvantaged.
Pre-School Development
Pre-school Development Milestones: Gap between ACORN 4/5 and 1
For children across ELC settings, the poverty related gap remains an issue with a 12% gap between the
least and most deprived. Further breakdown of data shows that for boys it is 22%, girls 8% and for boys
with ASN 13% and girls with ASN 15%. The developmental milestone areas with the lowest attainment
levels and the biggest gaps between the least and most deprived are speech and language 11%, social 9%
and emotional development 12%.
Improvement work continues across all ELC settings to narrow the gap between the least and most
deprived and for specific identified groups.
Broad General Education
Significant progress was made in closing the poverty related attainment gaps for literacy and numeracy in
P1, P4 and P7 in session 2022-2023 as a result of focused data-led intervention at school level, supported
by officers as shown in the following data table. Overall, the gap closed by 3% in 2023.
% point Gap between ACORN 4/5 and ACORN 1
Area 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23
Reading 20% 23% 18% 20% 18%
Writing 21% 25% 21% 23% 19%
Listening and talking 16% 22% 18% 16% 13%
Case Study 2 – St John’s Academy 
Raising Attainment S4
St John’s Academy appointed a Principal Teacher of Raising Attainment at the beginning of
session 2022-2023.  The PT Raising Attainment undertook an enquiry into attainment
barriers across the Senior Phase, focussing mainly on S4 attainment.  Identifying young
people at risk of not attaining 5 qualifications was the primary focus.  
Introducing tighter tracking and monitoring systems for this identified group of young people
as well as maintaining an overview of their progress helped ensure that early interventions
could be deployed.  
It also ensured that a more coherent and collaborative approach was able to be planned and
implemented at appropriate times in the year.  For example, the introduction of additional
mentoring and the co-ordination of catch-up study periods.  
Having a dedicated member of staff taking ownership of this and other at-risk groups
increased teacher awareness, enhanced home school communication as well improved all
round support for those young people.  
The 2023 SQA results for St John’s Academy saw the school achieve their highest
percentage of young people gaining at least 5 qualifications over the past 6 years.

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Mathematics & Numeracy 19% 23% 19% 20% 17%
All Areas 19% 23% 19% 20% 17%
Secondary BGE Literacy and Numeracy
% point Gap between ACORN 4/5 and ACORN 1
This success is replicated in S3 in literacy measures where the overall gap was closed by 4% while in
numeracy the improvement evidenced in 2021-22 has been maintained.
Area 2018/19 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23
Reading 19% 11% 13% 9%
Writing 17% 11% 14% 10%
Listening and talking 15% 8% 12% 8%
Mathematics & Numeracy 14% 14% 9% 9% 
The proportion of care experienced young people in S3 who achieve the national benchmark of level 3 has
improved every session from 36% in 2016/17 to 69% in session 2022/23 as a result of focused intervention
work in school. 
Care Experienced Children and Young People
The percentage of care-experienced primary school pupils at P1, P4 and P7 achieving expected levels in
literacy and numeracy combined increased by 14% over 2022-2023. This continues a sustained upward
trend in attainment for this group, although year on year comparison should be viewed with caution due to
the very small number of pupils involved. 
Focussed work has been undertaken by the PRAISE team with around 30 primary pupils.  In addition to
supporting emotional regulation, the team has worked with schools and care-experienced young people or
those on the edge of care to identify interventions to address any gaps in learning. 
Senior Phase
The attainment gap in PKC in 2023, as expressed in pass rates, is lower than the Scottish average at
National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher reflecting a sustained focus on this outcome in all of our
secondary schools.
Attainment gap between most and least deprived cohorts in PKC compared to the national picture.  
PKC Scotland
Nat 5 12.8% 15.6%
Higher 6.8% 16.0%
AH 8.2% 11.5%

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Over time since 2019 we can see a sustained trend of improvement for this measure at Higher level as
seen in the following graph which runs contrary to the national trend. 
Care Experienced Children and Young People
Focused work on our baseline attainment measure for this cohort is generating improvement over time in
terms of pass rates at National 4 which have improved by around 6% since session 2021.Our pass rate for
National 5 has remained steady at 74% over the same period which represents improvement relative to the
national picture.
NIF Priority 3: Improvement in children and young people’s health and
wellbeing.
In this section our reported measures are attendance and exclusion. While health and wellbeing are
complex and multifaceted areas of school improvement in the context of this report these remain our key
measures and indicators.
Attendance
Primary attendance has remained steady, with figures of 92.4% in 2021/2022 and 92.5% in 2022/2023,
however it remains 2.5% lower than pre-pandemic levels (95% in 2018/19). Secondary attendance was
lower in academic year 2022/2023 (86.9%), compared with 2021/2022 (87.7%) which was in turn a
significant drop from pre-pandemic levels (90.5% in 2018/19). Whilst final national data is not yet available,
it is anticipated that these figures will be in line with national attendance patterns. Early indications show
levels of attendance remain lower than the whole population for groups such as children and young people
in more deprived areas, those with additional support needs, those that are care experienced and Young
Carers. Improving levels in both sectors and for groups most vulnerable to low attendance will continue to
be a key improvement focus for 2023/2024.

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Over the course of this year, funded through the Community Mental Health fund, a partnership project
between PKC, NHS Tayside and the third sector has provided support for young people whose absence at
school remains significantly low due to a mental health barrier.
Attendance levels over time 
Exclusion
Although 2022-2023 exclusion levels have increased slightly on 2021-2022, they remain significantly lower
than the levels in 2018-2019. Schools have been sharing best practice in the provision of alternatives to
exclusion to support vulnerable children and young people and central guidance and support has been key
to this.
Focused work on relationships and behaviour to reduce instances of exclusion is a major part of our
Education Improvement Plan.
Exclusion levels over time
Session 2021-23 saw the implementation of updated guidance to all schools on reducing exclusion in our
schools. Bearing in mind that sessions 2019-20 and 2020-21 were impacted by periods of school closure
the impact of this on exclusion numbers, in secondary in particular in session 2021-22 is clear. However,
there was a small increase in the numbers excluded per 1000 pupils last session and actions around the
factors leading to exclusion are a major plank of the Education Improvement Plan 2022-23.
Notwithstanding this our exclusion numbers are at their lowest level in the last 10 years.

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Care Experienced Children and Young People
These figures are smoothed out over a three-year rolling average to mitigate against smaller cohort size
and, as a result of a range of interventions and developing practice, are on a consistent trend of
improvement since 2018-19. Further improvement here remains a key priority.
Case Study 3 – PKC Nurturing Relationships Programme
The PKC Nurturing Relationships Programme is a social and relational approach that
encourages staff to test out different approaches with the aim of improving relationships
between all and creating an environment and ethos in which children, young people and staff
feel safe and accepted. Research suggests that creating such an environment and ethos allows
children and young people to thrive regardless of any individual barriers and promotes
individual development, social and problem-solving skills, and impacts on their ability to
progress in their learning because they feel safe, accepted, and understood.
Twenty-eight schools within Perth and Kinross have now signed up to the programme across
three phases of implementation with a further three phases planned to meet the aim of 100% of
schools in Perth and Kinross having started their nurturing relationships journey by June 2026. 
At the annual practice sharing session held in May 2023, Crieff High School shared their
journey so far. They had chosen to use the Glasgow Motivation and Wellbeing Profile (GMWP)
with all their pupils to identify a starting point for their journey. The GMWP responses showed
that only 25% of pupils felt safe in school, and as such the staff decided to focus on their
environment and creating a safe and consistent start to each school day.
To do this they decided to change their daily registration time into a form class, and to introduce
a whole school programme that centred around building positive relationships e.g., Monday
check in, Tuesday news day, Friday celebrating success day etc. 
They also considered how to assign the form teachers, with the aim of a form class having the
same form teacher throughout their school journey to promote the development of positive
attuned relationships and consistency in approach.
Impact
These changes were implemented part way through the second term of the 2022/23 session
and the GWMP was reviewed in term 4 to gather evidence of impact.
Feelings of safety in school increased with an overall average rating of 4.3 out of 5 being given
by pupils by the end of the 2022/23 session. The school have decided to adopt this change and
continue to evaluate as they move forward into their next area of focus.

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Case Study 4 – Perth High School 
Reflect, Restore and Re-engage (RRR) Provision
Exclusions have risen nationally and in Perth and Kinross in recent years for a variety of
reasons, including the impact of the pandemic. Exclusion can be a barrier to pupils’
engagement and ultimately attainment, especially when young people have been excluded
several times. Perth High School have looked afresh at their alternative to exclusion provision
to ensure they are getting it right for their young people. In reviewing their processes, they
identified there was increased scope for more support for young people to reflect on the
causes and impact of their behaviours which led to exclusion/alternatives to exclusion being
implemented. Research shows that when young people are supported to do this, they are
more likely to be able to restore any damaged relationships and to reengage more
successfully when they return to lessons. 
The RRR provision is coordinated by the Inclusion Coordinator and involves several key
stakeholders including class teachers, Additional Support Needs staff and Principal Teachers
of Guidance. Pupils are accommodated for a period on site in a bespoke provision specifically
designed and staffed for the purposes of supporting alternatives to exclusion. Teaching staff
speak knowledgeably about the programme and value the positive impacts it is having on the
young people and their learning. 
Impact
• Exclusions have fallen from 99 per 1000 pupils in 2021/2022 to 61 per 1000 pupils in
2022/2023.
• Pupils who receive support through RRR are less likely to be involved in similar
behaviours in the future as almost all young people who have had one referral to the
programme do not go on to have a second referral.
• Staff are enhancing their skills in this restorative work which is having an impact on
their practice.
• There is a calm and positive atmosphere in almost all lessons at Perth High School. 
• Perth High School is further developing the provision such is its success.

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Case Study 5 – Perth Grammar School 
Outreach Programme
Some pupils in our schools including Perth Grammar School have difficulty attending school
for a variety of reasons which include physical health issues, anxiety, and emotionally based
absence.  Where absences are longer term and other staged intervention processes have
not been successful, the school utilises its Outreach programme. The school has developed
the Outreach programme in collaboration with several stakeholders in ECS and local
community partners to provide a tailored support package to pupils. Identified pupils receive
significant support to ensure they receive their entitlement to education. Pupils work
individually with their teachers and other professionals, often off site in a local community
centre. The sessions start later in the morning to support greater engagement. Pupils and
families find the quiet space and the one-to-one provision much more manageable and this
is leading to improved outcomes for the young people. The school have deployed a Pupil
Support Assistant to specifically support this process. The staff involved, including the Pupil
Support Assistant, have engaged in professional learning in this area of pupil support which
is enhancing their work.
Impact
• Attendance for identified pupils has improved significantly.
• Many pupils have achieved success in National qualification who otherwise would
not have achieved.
• Pupils and parents/carers have reported they find the programme a support to them
and their young people.
• The school has significantly improved performance for achievement at National 3
and several young people have achieved three Science qualification through the
programme.
• Staff have developed their skills in providing support to pupils with significant barriers
to their learning which is enhancing their practice.
• Some young people have made a successful transition back to attending school on
site.
• The young people receive support from their Skills Development Scotland Careers
Adviser through the programme to plan their next steps at a point when they are able
to engage.

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Case Study 6 – Art of Friendship 2023
The Art of Friendship project was launched across PKC schools in January 2023.  The project, open to
all ages, was designed around wellbeing themes of positive relationships and friendships,
complementing schools’ improvement priorities, and providing a creative approach to teaching health
and wellbeing.
Collaboration with a range of partners was crucial in the planning, delivery and the ongoing evaluation
of the project.  This included working with school practitioners, an art specialist teacher, Educational
Psychologists, Inclusion and Digital Education Support Officers and our creative partners.
Learners were invited to create artwork to explore, represent or symbolise friendship and the positive
impact friendships can have on our wellbeing.  The open and flexible nature of the project also
promoted the development of creativity skills.  
Learner autonomy was a key principle of the project including the type of art created and the option to
share work with a wider audience.  Many learners collaborated including creations in digital animation,
film, photography and a wall mural.
We aimed for learners to:  
• Have agency and autonomy in their creative learning experiences.
• Engage in dialogue about their wellbeing.
• Develop and articulate their creativity skills further.
• Connect with their peers and others through the sharing of artwork in and beyond their school.  
• Explore different approaches to creating art including the use of digital tools. 
In June 2023, an online exhibition of learner’s work was shared with schools, and the wider
community, providing the opportunity for all learners to have their creations and efforts acknowledged
and celebrated.  To date this has been viewed nearly 300 times. 
Initial feedback from learners, practitioners and partners has been positive with over 800 learners from
across 17 of our schools engaging in the project.    
Some examples of learner feedback
• I enjoyed it because it was about friendship & getting to know someone I didn’t really know.
• I liked working with other people & made new friends.
• It taught me that even though you don’t like someone you can still be friends.
• We watched the video about Edinburgh Art.  It was an emotional video, really nice and
interesting.
Some examples of staff feedback
• I feel this project provided a good starting point for learning conversations about friendships
and it gave my children the opportunity to work collaboratively whilst being given the freedom
to explore/express different approaches within the world of art.
• Since the project we have done lots more groupwork. It has made me much more confident to
try it with the pupils & they are more confident to work together.
• Absolutely (improved relationships). Children loved working together as a team to produce
their artwork.
Feedback also included a film featuring a local artist interviewed learners with whom she supported in
creating their art work. 
S2 learners from Blairgowrie High School wrote an article about their experiences in creating a wall
mural with our creative partners.  This included the following feedback: ‘The mural was unbelievably
fun to make, and we enjoyed working with the artists, and even having some of the teachers come to
help. It was an amazing experience, one that we are immensely proud of and won't forget! … we are
glad we could make a positive mark in the school that people would hopefully enjoy for years to
come!’

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NIF Priority 4: Improvement in employability skills and sustained, positive
school leaver destinations for all young people.
Proportion of Young People (aged 16-19) in education, training or employment
To supplement the school leaver information, SDS also reports the Annual Participation Measure. This
measure reports on participation in education, training or employment for all 16–19-year-olds from across
the population rather than focusing specifically on school leavers and is therefore a broader and preferred
measure of recording positive outcomes. The measure shows a gradual improvement in the proportion of
young people in education, training or employment, but the latest year will likely have been impacted by the
economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The figures are above the Scottish average (92.4% in 2022)
and the number not participating totals 194 individuals, with 155 unconfirmed. 
Key Developments in 2022/23
• An Employability Secondary School Strategy Toolkit was launched in April 2023.  Designed to
support schools to develop their own approach to school-employer partnerships and work-based
learning activities, in line with local/national labour market information. 
• The PKC 16+ Framework designed through extensive consultation with schools, other Local
Authorities and key stakeholders to provide structure, clarity and consistency to the school leaver
process with a view to increasing positive destinations. 
• Data-sharing agreement now in place with UHI Perth to enable better attendance monitoring of
pupils on School College Partnership Courses, including exceptional leavers, to support early
intervention for pupils who are disengaging. 
• Training offered in March 2022 to enable more school staff to undertake health and safety checks in
order to approve work placements, twilight sessions run by central team and ongoing support to
schools has seen work experience placements increase from 260 in 2021/22 to 449 in 2022/23. 
• In response to need identified by schools, a bespoke employability programme was co-designed
alongside Services for Young People and YMCA and delivered to eight pupils in each school who
were most at risk of not achieving a positive destination.

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Conclusion
There is evidence that the actions from our Raising Attainment Strategy and the Education Improvement
Plan 2021-22 have improved outcomes for children and young people in terms of attainment through the
lenses of excellence and equity. 
The next iteration of our Raising Attainment Strategy 2023-26 will look to consolidate these successes
while addressing areas which require further attention. Our team approach to improving employability and
skills in PKC with our partners in DYW (Tay Cities); Skills Development Scotland; UHI (Perth) and local
employers continues to deliver success in this measure with a real focus for the session to come to support
those young people most in need of additional interventions. 
Supporting the health and wellbeing of young people is a key feature of our Education Improvement Plan
(2022-23) and the Raising Attainment Board will have key oversight of all these priorities. 
Case Study 7 – Scotland’s Enterprising Schools
Business Challenge
PKC ECS partnered with Scotland’s Enterprising Schools (SES) and Growbiz to pilot The
Business Challenge, which involved over 300 S2 and 3 pupils across 5 secondary schools
competing with each other online to see who could run the most successful business.
The unique platform was co-designed by University of Glasgow Computing Science students
and SES to bring the world of business and entrepreneurship into the classroom.  Perth and
Kinross has a significantly higher number of self-employed people than most other local
authorities, which makes it important that pupils are given the opportunity to develop the
necessary enterprise skills and attitudes to become self-employed in the future, if they choose.
By involving Growbiz members as mentors and judges, pupils were also provided with
information on local funding and support to develop their own business from as young as 16.
The pilot was a success, with all teachers providing positive feedback and expressing the
appetite to repeat it next year.  The teacher from the winning school was recently invited to
write an article for TES on the topic of Gamification of Learning, based on her experience of
running The Business Challenge. Scotland’s Enterprising Schools have shared the success of
the Pilot nationally with even more schools keen to take part next year.
https://enterprisingschools.scot/news/perth-and-kinross-schools-pioneer-new-online-ses-b-24-
05-2023

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Annexe 1 – Glossary of Acronyms
Acronym  Meaning
ACEL Achievement of a Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Level
ACM Alternative Certification Model
CfE Curriculum for Excellence
DHT Depute Headteacher
DYW Developing the Young Workforce
ECS Education and Children’s Services
GMWP Glasgow Motivation and Wellbeing Profile
HT Headteacher
NIF National Improvement Framework
PSA Pupil Support Assistant
PT Principal Teacher
RRR Reflect, Restore and Re-engage
SAC Scottish Attainment Challenge
SCQF Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
SDS Skills Development Scotland
SES Scotland’s Enterprising Schools
SIMD Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation
SQA Scottish Qualifications Authority
TES Times Educational Supplement
UHI University of the Highlands and Islands
YMCA Young Men’s Christian Association