Scottish Government
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Schools in Scotland

A National Statistics Publication for Scotland

There has been an increase in total pupils, and a slight decrease in teacher numbers, leading to an increase in the pupil teacher ratio. Meanwhile in early learning and childcare, access to a GTCS registered teacher has increased for 3 and 4 year olds.

Scotland’s Chief Statistician yesterday published results of the Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland. These statistics provide the latest data on early learning and childcare, pupils, teachers, and school estates.

In 2014, the pupil teacher ratio (PTR) in all publicly funded schools increased slightly to 13.6 (previously 13.5), mostly due to an increase in primary pupils. PTRs give a measure of the size of the workforce compared with the pupil population. In primary schools the PTR was 16.7 (up from 16.5 in 2013). In secondary schools the PTR decreased slightly to 12.1 (previously 12.2).

The total full-time equivalent (FTE) number of teachers based in early learning and childcare, primary, secondary and special schools, or visiting specialists, was 50,824, which is 254 fewer than the 2013 figure of 51,078.

The percentage of teachers from the Probationer Induction Scheme in permanent or temporary employment in publicly funded schools in the following census has increased from 79 per cent the previous year to 80 per cent of teachers in September 2014.

In September 2014, 85.0 per cent of 3 and 4 year old children attending centres had access to a GTCS registered teacher during census week, up from 83.5 per cent the previous year.

The average class size for pupils in the first three years of primary (P1 to P3) has remained at a similar level to 2013 (23.2 in 2013 compared with 23.3 in 2014). The percentage of these pupils who were in class sizes of 18 or fewer dropped slightly from 13.6 per cent in 2013 to 12.9 per cent in 2014.

The proportion of schools reported as being in good or satisfactory condition has increased from 61 per cent in April 2007 to 83 per cent in April 2014. The number of pupils educated in poor or bad condition schools has decreased from 256,794 (37 per cent of pupils) in April 2007 to 109,057 (16 per cent of pupils) in April 2014.

The figures released yesterday were produced in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

Notes To Editors

The full statistical publication is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/12/7590

This publication brings together a wide range of information on school education and early learning and childcare provision in Scotland and covers: pupils, teachers, children in early learning and childcare, and school buildings.

Further information on school statistics within Scotland can be accessed at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/schoolstats

Official statistics are produced in accordance with professional standards – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed at:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/About

 

Channel website: http://www.gov.scot/

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