Attainment gap widens despite SNP promises

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie has today said that ministers have “flunked” when it comes to closing the attainment gap for those leaving school.

In 2015, Nicola Sturgeon declared that people should judge her government on its education record and in particular in tackling the attainment gap between the least and most deprived pupils.

However, figures published by the Scottish Government today show that:

• At SCQF Level 5 or better, the attainment gap under the All SCQF measure was 18.1 percentage points in 2023-24. This is wider than in 2022-23 (16.6 percentage points).

• In 2023-24 the gap at SCQF Level 5 is at its widest since 2019-20.

• At SCQF Level 6 or better, the attainment gap under the All SCQF measure was 31.8 percentage points in 2023-24. This is slightly wider than in 2022-23 (31.5 percentage points).

Willie Rennie said:

“The attainment gap got bigger last year. Ministers have flunked it. The SNP now have no chance of closing the poverty related attainment gap next year as they promised a decade ago.

“When I speak with teachers they identify a series of classroom challenges, from bad behaviour and high absence rates to lack of additional support for pupils who need it and teachers languishing on supply lists.  There are also fundamental issues with the curriculum that must be fixed.

“Closing the attainment gap is essential so that young people can fulfil their potential and so that as a country we have the skills we need in the future.”