Attainment of 202122 School Leavers ECSPB

Renfrewshire Council · 18 May 2023
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 18 May 2023 and its agenda

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___________________________________________________________________
To:  Education and Children’s Services Policy Board
On:  18 May 2023
___________________________________________________________________
Report by: Director of Children’s Services
___________________________________________________________________
Heading: Attainment of 2021/22 School Leavers
________________________________________________________________
1. Summary
1.1. INSIGHT is a performance evaluation tool provided by the Scottish Government
to schools and education authorities as a way of benchmarking performance in
four key measures. This report will provide data and commentary across these
measures for the 2020/21 leavers cohort. 
1.2. The time period covered by these statistics means that the results will be
affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In particular,
the cancellation of exams and external assessment of coursework in 2020, and
the use of the Alternative Certification Model in 2021, will have affected the
attainment of many 2021/22 school leavers. The impacts of these different
approaches to certification upon school leaver attainment means that care
should be taken when making comparisons over time.
______________________________________________________________ 
2. Recommendations 
2.1. Members of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board are asked to
note:
 the content of this report; and 
 the efforts of our young people and the school communities in bringing
about these results.
________________________________________________

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3. Background
3.1. INSIGHT is a performance evaluation tool provided by the Scottish Government
to schools and education authorities as a way of benchmarking performance in
four key measures: 
 attainment in literacy and numeracy;
 improving attainment for all;
 attainment versus deprivation; and
 leavers’ destinations.
3.2. This report will provide data and commentary on the performance of the
2021/22 leavers cohort in these four key measures. A leavers cohort includes
all pupils that left school within a year, regardless of the stage they were at
when they left school. 
3.3. The time period covered by these statistics means that the results will be
affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In particular,
the cancellation of exams and external assessment of coursework in 2020, and
the use of the Alternative Certification Model in 2021, will have affected the
attainment of many 2021/22 school leavers. 
3.4. The INSIGHT tool uses a ‘virtual comparator’ (VC) to allow authorities and
schools to make statistically valid comparisons between how young people
have performed against young people nationally, who share four similar
characteristics. These characteristics are gender, stage of leaving, percentage
of time spent in mainstream classes, and Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation
(SIMD) decile. INSIGHT also allows us to compare our performance with
national data. 
Attainment in Literacy and Numeracy 
3.5. Raising attainment in literacy and numeracy remains a key priority of
Renfrewshire Council Children’s Services. This is also one of the Scottish
Government’s key priorities as detailed in its National Improvement Framework. 
3.6. Attainment in literacy and numeracy includes passes at National 4 and 5 in
English and Maths. It also includes passes in some other awards at Scottish
Certificate and Qualification Framework (SCQF) levels 4 and 5 which contain
certain core elements of literacy and numeracy. The tables which follow provide
data on our performance of our school leaver cohort in literacy and numeracy
compared to our virtual comparator and national figures.

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Attainment in Literacy 
3.7. The graphs that follow show the percentage of leavers achieving SCQF level 4
and SCQF 5 in literacy over 5 years. 
3.8. The percentage of leavers in Renfrewshire achieving literacy at SCQF level 4
or above has remained relatively constant over the past 5 years. Renfrewshire
remains ahead of the national figures and in line with the virtual comparator in
this measure. In the 2021/22 leavers cohort 96% of Renfrewshire pupils
achieved this literacy at SCQF level 4, compared with 94% nationally and 96%
for the virtual comparator. 
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2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Renfrewshire National Virtual Comparator
Graph 2: Percentage of Leavers Achieved SCQF Level 5 or Above in Literacy. 
Graph 1: Percentage of Leavers Achieved SCQF Level 4 or Above in Literacy. 
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2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Renfrewshire National Virtual Comparator

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3.9. Attainment in literacy at SCQF level 5 or above is slightly lower than the
2020/21 leavers cohort but remains consistent with previous years.
Renfrewshire is ahead of both comparators over 5 years. In the 2021/22
leavers cohort 87% of Renfrewshire pupils achieved this measure, compared
with 82% nationally and 86% for the virtual comparator. 
Attainment in Numeracy 
3.10. The graphs that follow show the percentage of Renfrewshire leavers who have
achieved SCQF level 4 and SCQF level 5 in numeracy over 5 years. 
3.11. Patterns of attainment in numeracy are similar to literacy, although literacy
attainment is higher across both levels. At SCQF level 4, numeracy attainment
is broadly consistent over 5 years. Renfrewshire is marginally ahead of national
over 5 years and remains in line with the virtual comparator. In the 2021/22
leavers cohort 93% of Renfrewshire pupils achieved SCQF level 4 numeracy,
compared with 91% nationally and 93% for the virtual comparator. 
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75
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2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Renfrewshire National Virtual Comparator
Graph 3: Percentage of Leavers Achieved SCQF Level 4 or Above in Numeracy.

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3.12. The percentage of Renfrewshire school leavers achieving SCQF Level 5 or
above in numeracy remains above both comparators over 5 years. There has
been a marginal decrease since the previous year’s cohort in all groups
however figures remain consistent over 5 years. In the 2021/23 leavers cohort
77% of Renfrewshire pupils achieved this measure, compared with 71%
nationally and 75% for the virtual comparator. 
Improving Attainment for All 
3.13. Each qualification on the Scottish Certificate and Qualifications Framework
(SCQF) is attributed a number of tariff points. The higher the level of
qualification, the more tariff points are attributed. On leaving school, pupils will
have a total tariff score which incorporates their latest and best achievements in
the senior phase.
3.14. Within this measure, INSIGHT breaks the data down into three groups of
leavers: the lowest attaining 20%, the middle attaining 60% and the highest
attaining 20%. It then calculates the average total tariff points for each of these
groups and compares their attainment with the virtual comparator and the
national figure. Graphs demonstrating trends in each of these groups are
shown below.
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2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Renfrewshire National Virtual Comparator
Graph 4: Percentage of Leavers Achieved SCQF Level 5 or Above in Numeracy.

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3.15. The average total tariff of the lowest attaining 20% of leavers in Renfrewshire is
in line with the virtual comparator and ahead of the national figure in the
2021/22 leavers cohort. The Renfrewshire figure has decreased slightly within
the latest cohort however remains closely aligned with the virtual comparator
over 5 years. In the 2021/22 leavers cohort, the average total tariff in
Renfrewshire was 201. This compares to 156 nationally and 201 for the virtual
comparator. 201 tariff points is approximately equivalent to 3 National 5 C
grades.
 
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150
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2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Renfrewshire National Virtual Comparator
Graph 5: Average Total Tariff of Lowest 20% Attainment Cohort

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3.16. The performance of the middle 60% attainment cohort in Renfrewshire is lower
than the previous year but has increased over 5 years. This is a similar pattern
to both comparator groups. Renfrewshire remains closely in line with the virtual
comparator and ahead of the national figure. In the 2021/22 leavers cohort, the
average total tariff in Renfrewshire was 950. This compares to 887 nationally
and 976 for the virtual comparator. 950 tariff points is approximately equivalent
to 6 Higher C grades. 
3.17. The average total tariff of school leavers in the highest 20% attainment cohort
has increased over 5 years, despite a decrease since the previous year’s
cohort. Renfrewshire in line with the national figure and marginally below the
0
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2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Renfrewshire National Virtual Comparator
1350
1450
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2150
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Renfrewshire National Virtual Comparator
Graph 6: Average Total Tariff of Middle 60% Attainment Cohort 
Graph 7: Average Total Tariff of Highest 20% Attainment Cohort

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virtual comparator within the latest data. In the 2020/21 leavers cohort, the
average total tariff in Renfrewshire was 1973. This compares to 1968 nationally
and 1994 for the virtual comparator. 1973 tariff points is approximately
equivalent to 5 Higher A grades plus 2 Advanced Higher A grades. 
3.18. 
3.19. The average total tariff of all leavers, regardless of attainment cohort, in
2020/21 was 1005. This is a marginal decrease since the 2020/21 cohort but
remains higher than previous years. Renfrewshire remains ahead of the
national figure and marginally below the virtual comparator in this measure. 
Attainment Versus Deprivation 
3.20. Closing the poverty related attainment gap is an overarching priority of
Children’s Services. Schools in all sectors are getting increasingly stronger at
identifying their most vulnerable pupils and using strategies to try and mitigate
the impact of poverty on their attainment. The Scottish Government measures
progress towards closing the poverty related attainment gap using the Scottish
Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintiles. SIMD quintiles represent the
20% most deprived areas to the 20% least deprived areas.
3.21. The following chart shows the average total tariff points by SIMD quintiles for
Renfrewshire and its comparators. 
 
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2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Renfrewshire National Virtual Comparator
Graph 8: Average Total Tariff of All School Leavers

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3.22. In the 2021/22 leavers cohort, Renfrewshire’s average total tariff is ahead of
national in all quintiles and marginally behind the virtual comparator in quintiles
1 to 3. The trend across the 5 quintiles is similar between Renfrewshire and its
comparators, although the national trend demonstrates lower attainment
overall. 
3.23. Graph 10 shows the average total tariff of school leavers living in the 20% most
deprived areas in Renfrewshire over 5 years. These figures show that despite a
decrease since the 2020/21 cohort there is an increasing trend over 5 years.
The average total tariff was 14% higher in the 2021/22 cohort than in 2017/18.  
0
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1400
1600
Quintile 1 (20% Most
Deprived)
Quintile 2 Quintile 3 Quintile 4 Quintile 5 (20% Least
Deprived)
Renfrewshire National Virtual Comparator
Linear (Renfrewshire) Linear (National) Linear (Virtual Comparator)
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2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Renfrewshire Linear (Renfrewshire)
Graph 9: Average Total Tariff of 2021/22 Leavers by SIMD Quintile 
Graph 10: Average Total Tariff of Renfrewshire School Leavers Living in SIMD Quintile 1 (20% Most 
Deprived Areas)

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3.24. The graphs below show the highest SCQF level achieved by Renfrewshire
school leavers living in quintile 1 (20% most deprived areas) and quintile 5
(20% least deprived areas). This comparison allows us to measure the change
in the size of the poverty related attainment gap over time. 
3.25. The percentage of school leavers with one or more pass at SCQF level 4 has
been consistent over 5 years. Attainment in this measure is high across both
groups, with 97% of leavers living in quintile 1 areas and 99% of those living in
quintile 5 areas achieving 1 or more award at SCQF level 4. The size of the gap
within the 2021/22 leavers cohort was 1.8 percentage points which is in line
with previous years. 
0
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2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22
Quintile 1 (20% Most Deprived) Quintile 5 (20% Least Deprived)
Linear (Quintile 1 (20% Most Deprived)) Linear (Quintile 5 (20% Least Deprived))
Graph 11: Percentage of School Leavers with 1 or more pass at SCQF Level 4 or better‐ SIMD 
Quintile 1 (20% Most Deprived) & SIMD Quintile 5 (20% Least Deprived)

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3.26. Graph 12 illustrates the percentage of school leavers with one or more pass at
SCQF level 5. Attainment at this level has been consistently high within quintile
5, with 99% of leavers achieving 1 or more award at this level in the 2020/21
leavers cohort. Attainment of school leavers in quintile 1 is consistent with
previous years at 86%. The size of the gap is in line with previous years at 11.4
percentage points. 
3.27. The percentage of pupils in quintiles 1 and 5 achieving one or more pass at
SCQF level 6 has increased gradually over 5 years. The size of the attainment
gaps are largest at this level however there has also been the biggest reduction
in the size of the gap over 5 years. The size of the gap has decreased by 9
0
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2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22
Quintile 1 (20% Most Deprived) Quintile 5 (20% Least Deprived)
Linear (Quintile 1 (20% Most Deprived)) Linear (Quintile 5 (20% Least Deprived))
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2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22
Quintile 1 (20% Most Deprived) Quintile 5 (20% Least Deprived)
Linear (Quintile 1 (20% Most Deprived)) Linear (Quintile 5 (20% Least Deprived))
Graph 12: Percentage of School Leavers with 1 or more pass at SCQF Level 5 or better. 
Graph 13: Percentage of School Leavers with 1 or more pass at SCQF Level 6 or better.

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percentage points since 2017/18. This is due to greater increases in attainment
within the most deprived group than in the least deprived group. 
 
 
3.28. Graph 14 compares the attainment of pupils living in 20% most deprived areas
in Renfrewshire and nationally. In the 2021/22 leavers cohort, a higher
proportion of pupils living in the most deprived areas achieved 1 or more
awards across all levels in Renfrewshire. The largest difference is within the
proportion of leavers achieving 1 or more award at SCQF level 6 as 60% of
Renfrewshire leavers achieved this compared with 52% nationally.  
3.29. The service and schools continue to support the Council’s and the Scottish
Government’s priority of closing the poverty attainment gap through improving
and targeting our provision, utilising the Scottish Attainment Challenge and
pupil equity funding.
Leaver Destinations
3.30. This measure identifies the percentage of school leavers that have entered a
positive destination. Positive destinations include higher education, further
education, employment, activity agreements, personal skills development and
voluntary work. 
0
20
40
60
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100
120
1+ at SCQF Level 4 or better 1+ at SCQF Level 5 or better 1+ at SCQF Level 6 or better
Renfrewshire National
Graph 14: Attainment of 2021/22 Leavers in Quintile 1 (20% Most Deprived Areas)

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3.31. The percentage of leavers entering a positive destination has increased for
Renfrewshire and both comparators over 5 years, however the Renfrewshire
figure has increased at a higher rate. In the 2021/22 leavers cohort, the
percentage of Renfrewshire leavers entering an initial positive destination was
96.6%, compared with 95.7% nationally and 96.3% for the virtual comparator.
This is a 3.5 percentage point increase since 2017/18 in Renfrewshire,
compared with only 1.3 percentage points nationally. This is the second year
that Renfrewshire is ahead of both the national and virtual comparators.
 
85.0
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91.0
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95.0
97.0
99.0
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Renfrewshire National Virtual Comparator
Graph 11: Percentage of School Leavers entering Positive Destinations.

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3.32. The graph below shows the breakdown of the destinations of the
2021/22leavers cohort. 
In the 2021/22 leavers cohort, 43.3% of Renfrewshire’s leavers entered higher
education, 24.9% went into further education and 25.4% were employed.
Compared with national figures, Renfrewshire has a higher proportion of pupils
entering higher education and employment. The proportion of Renfrewshire
leavers entering higher education is behind the virtual comparator however
Renfrewshire is above the virtual figure in both further education and employment. 
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40.0 45.0 50.0
% Employed
% Further Education
% Higher Education
% Not known
% Personal Skills Development
% Training
% Unemployed Not Seeking
% Unemployed Seeking
% Voluntary Work
 
National 2021/22 Virtual Comparator 2021/22 Renfrewshire 2021/22
Graph 12: School Leaver Destinations 2020/21

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3.33. Employment figures have recovered from the pandemic years and are now
higher than pre-pandemic levels. Conversely, the proportion of pupils entering
higher education had increased during the pandemic years but has now
returned to previous levels. The percentage of leavers unemployed is at its
lowest level in 5 years at 3.1%. 
_______________________________________________________
4. Next Steps
4.1 Due to the variation in approaches to certification make recent year on year
comparisons must be treated with an element of caution; however, 5-year
trends indicate that Renfrewshire continues to perform well in relation to its
comparators. This is particularly true in relation to national figures where
Renfrewshire is consistently ahead across almost measures. There have also
been improvements in the attainment of leavers from the most deprived areas,
particularly at SCQF level 6 and above, although gaps remain significant. The
percentage of leavers entering positive destinations continues to improve and
Renfrewshire has for the second year surpassed both virtual and national
comparators.  However, we recognise the scope for further improvement,
particularly in relation to reducing the poverty related attainment gap. We will
continue to make this a priority as we strive for even further improvement. 
___________________________________________________________________ 
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
% Employed % Further
Education
% Higher
Education
% Other
Positive
%
Unemployed
% Not known
2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22
Graph 13: Renfrewshire School Leaver Destinations (5 Years)

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Implications of the Report
1. Financial - none
2. HR & Organisational Development – none 
3. Community/Council Planning –
 Our Renfrewshire is thriving – looking at attainment in this way provides
schools and Children’s Services with a robust way to evaluate the quality of
education provision. 
 Tackling inequality, ensuring opportunities for all – attainment data is
examined in the context of deprivation to ensure that we are working
towards equity and excellence. 
4. Legal – none 
5. Property/Assets – none
6. Information Technology - none 
7. Equality & Human Rights 
 
The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in
relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on
equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have
been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report
because it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual
impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and
monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s
website. 
8. Health & Safety – none
9. Procurement - none
10. Risk - none
11. Privacy Impact – none
12. Cosla Policy Position – not applicable 
13. Climate Risk - none
_______________________________________________________ 
Author: Fiona Wright, Management Information Officer, Children’s Services.
Fiona.wright-ED@renfrewshire.gov.uk