For immediate release:

MORE YOUNG PEOPLE SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS AFTER SCHOOL

School leavers in South Lanarkshire continue to go on to positive destinations after finishing secondary school – with the latest figures showing 95.8% of youngsters going into further or higher education, employment or training three months after leaving school.

The total across Scotland has risen from 93.3% last year to 93.7% this year – showing that even more young people are finding fulfilling opportunities after leaving school. In South Lanarkshire, the percentage of people going on to positive destinations has gone from 94.1% last year to 95.8% this year – and increased from 89.8% since 2011/12.

Of those in positive destinations, 45% are at University and 23% are at college, while 21% are in employment and 2% are in training.

Commenting on the latest stats, SNP MSP for Rutherglen, Clare Haughey, said:

“The Scottish Government continues to make education its priority this parliament – and these figures reflect just how important SNP action on education is for our young people.

“Being able to go on to a positive destination after leaving school – whether that is college, university, work or training – is a great boost for young people across South Lanarkshire, improving their self-confidence and setting them up to make positive contributions to our communities as adults.

“That more young people across South Lanarkshire are going on to positive destinations this year than previously – up 6% over the last six years – is fantastic news for our local community.

“Our young people need fulfilling work, study or training after leaving school to help ensure they don’t get left behind – and these positive figures for South Lanarkshire and across Scotland show that they are benefitting from exactly that.”

ENDS

Notes:

Table 4: Six year trend for percentage of senior phase school leavers in any positive initial destination by local authority (2011/12 – 2016/17)