FOI/202100164993 · FOI · unclear
Qualification breakdown by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD): FOI release
Information requested
Total number of qualifications pupils leave school with, broken down by SIMD, SCQF levels 4, 5, 6 and 7 and for the year 2019/2020.
Response
Attached is a copy of the information requested. Note that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to the cancellation of 2020 exams and the decision for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) not to collect coursework or mark coursework that had already been collected. As a result, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher grades awarded in 2020 were instead based on teacher estimates. These results form part of the 2019/20 school leaver attainment figures in these tables. Care must be taken when comparing 2019/20 school leaver attainment to that of earlier years due to the different certification methods. Interpretation must take full account of the different certification methods and an increase or decrease in the attainment levels in 2019/20 should not be seen as an indication that performance has improved without further evidence. About FOI The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.