School League Tables

[Bob Jefferson]

The Scotsman today published its 'schoolsguide' to Scottish state schools. Along with exam league tables the schools were asked to complete questionnaires, giving more information about their ethos and what is on offer.

I share a lot of the reservations others have about school league tables (and I'm unhappy in general with the degree of government interference in education) but the results are interesting nonetheless.

Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or more Standard Grades at General level (last year's figures in brackets)

Holy Rood High School - 68% (66%)
Portobello High School - 79% (76%)

Percentage of pupils gaining 3 or more Higher grade passes at A - C (last year's figures in brackets)

Holy Rood High School - 15% (16%)
Portobello High School - 22% (29%)

We also learned that Holy Rood High has a roll of 1000, that 17.8% of its pupils are entitled to a free school meal and the unauthorised absence rate is 3.1%.

Portobello High has a roll of 1435 and scores 8.9% on free school meals and 2.4% on unauthorised absence.

I'm not particularly inviting comparison between our two local secondary schools, although it is a decision many parents face. Clearly, there are many other factors in the equation, not least the difference in quality between the two buildings.

Perhaps what does require some explanation, however, is the drop from 29% to 22% in the Higher rate pass at PHS in the space of 12 months?

[Maria]

[Bob Jefferson]

Looks like it's post-appeal, but actually when you look at the results for 2004/5 the Higher pass rate was also 22% so 2005/6 is exceptional.