Scottish Government

Increase the proportion of young people in learning, training or work

DESCRIPTION:

This indicator measures the proportion of school leavers from Scotland's publicly funded sector who are in a positive destination approximately 9 months after leaving school.

Data are collected in a follow up survey to the 'School Leavers Destination Survey' and are based on a simple count of young people and their reporting of their current destination. Positive destinations are defined as: Further Education; Higher Education courses; employment; training; and volunteering.

SOURCE:

The source of the data is the follow up survey to the National Statistics 'School Leavers Destination Survey' which takes place in October roughly 3 months after the end of the relevant school year. The follow up is carried out in the March/April the year after an individual leaves school which is roughly 9 months after the end of the relevant school year.

Results are published in the publication:

Summary statistics for attainment, leavers destinations and school meals, No.1: 2011 Edition

The data is collected by Skills Development Scotland and is published by the Scottish Government. The first publication of this data was in June 2008 and related to School leavers in the 2006/07 school year. Skills Development Scotland carried out a pilot of this survey in 2007 covering school leavers in 2005/06.

The indicator provides a measure of more sustained outcomes after leaving school than would be provided by the initial survey. Using the 9 month follow up rather than the original October survey allows for the destinations of school leavers to settle.

Data are based on a simple count of young people and their reporting of their current destination.

DEFINITIONS:

Positive destination is defined as undertaking FE or HE courses or in employment or training in the March / April after leaving school, divided by the population of school leavers. People who are volunteering or on activity agreements will also be included in the positive destination category.

The ' population' is any young person leaving school after the date of the Pupil Census (typically mid September) and before the date of the next Pupil Census - a year later. Christmas leavers (who account for around 10 % of the leaver group), will be counted in the March / April collection 15 months after leaving.

This indicator is based on the school leavers from publicly funded secondary schools. This excludes schools in the independent sector and all special schools. However, grant aided schools are included.

In April 2011 the Scottish Government rolled out the use of activity agreements to improve the employability of vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. These include elements of training, volunteering, learning in various community settings and other developmental activities. These will be recorded as a separate category in the 2010/11 school leavers destinations as they do not fit into any of the existing groups, and will be included in positive destinations.

BASELINE AND PAST TRENDS:

The first official publication of the follow up survey to School Leavers destinations was released in June 2008 and related to School leavers in the 2006/07 school year.

The first publication is used as the baseline and showed that approximately 87% of school leavers in 2006/07 were in positive destinations in the March/April of 2008.

Proportion of school leavers who are in a positive destination approximately 9 months after leaving school

CRITERIA FOR RECENT CHANGE ARROW:

This evaluation is based on: any difference within +/- 1 percentage point of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. An increase of 1 percentage points or more suggests the position is improving; whereas a decrease of 1 percentage points or more suggests the position is worsening. Changes resulting from the improved recording of unknown destinations were also taken into account in this evaluation.

For information on general methodological approach, please click here.

FUTURE ISSUES OR REVIEWS:

The current measure focuses on the destinations of individuals approximately 9 months after they have left school. The Scottish Government's 'Opportunities for All' policy gives a commitment to offer a place in education or training for every 16-19 year old who is not currently in work, education or training. As 'Opportunities for All' focuses on the destination of the wider 16-19 age group, we intend to explore with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) the use of their data to populate a measure covering the whole 16-19 year old cohort.

ASSOCIATED TARGET:

No associated target.