News Release

SOLID SUCCESS FOR PUPILS IN SCOTTISH SURVEY OF ACHIEVEMENT

Commenting on today's publication of the Scottish Survey of Achievement (SSA) which highlights a solid overall performance from Scottish pupils in Reading and Writing, EIS President Helen Connor said: “Today's publication gives a snapshot of pupils' achievements in reading and writing, and displays solid overall performance in both primary and secondary schools. Everyone working in education is well aware of the issues of concern the report raises in relation to attainment in the later years of primary and early secondary, and we are already working to address these issues through the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence. But it is also important to remember that today's report is based around the outdated 5-14 levels which will play no part in the future under Curriculum for Excellence. ”

Ms Connor added, “The Curriculum for Excellence will enable teachers to tailor their teaching to meet the particular needs of their own pupils, and to focus on enriching the learning experience for all pupils. Both literacy and numeracy are intended to be key priorities under the Curriculum for Excellence, and teachers will be free to focus on making reading and writing more engaging for their pupils.”

“However, this can only be achieved if schools are properly resourced to allow them to implement fully the new Curriculum for Excellence. This offers much to pupils in the future and will help to better engage them in all aspects of their learning. But Curriculum for Excellence can only be a success if adequate funds are made available to allow schools to implement fully this highly ambitious programme of curricular change.”

Ms Connor added, “What is most significant and encouraging is that Scottish pupils continue to achieve particularly highly in reading and writing in the later years of secondary, at Standard Grade level and beyond, and to score well in international comparative studies”.