Pupils in Fife from poorer backgrounds are being increasingly left behind at school, new figures reveal.
Statistics uncovered from the Scottish Conservatives show that just 2% of pupils from the poorest backgrounds achieve three A’s at Higher compared to 15.55% from the most affluent backgrounds.
Attainment in Fife has travelled backwards since 2013, where statistics show that the total number of pupils achieving three A’s, from all backgrounds, has dropped by 6.56%.
In the Fife the ‘attainment gap’ (the difference between results of pupils from the poorest and most affluent backgrounds) is 13.47%.
Across the board there are fewer students achieving three A grades in Fife when compared to the Scottish average.
The news comes after the Scottish Government pledged to close the attainment gap and after the First Minister asked Scots to judge the SNP on their record in the area.
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser is calling for an end to the “one size fits all” approach currently adopted by the Scottish Government in schools and for parents – and pupils – to be offered a real choice. This means more flexibility and power for head teachers.
Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Many schools in Fife have improved standards considerably during the past few years, thanks to the hard work of teachers and pupils.
“But these figures show that some pupils are being let down by the Scottish Government’s one size fits all approach to education. It is shocking that children from poorer backgrounds are more than seven times less likely to get good Highers than those who are lucky enough to come from a more affluent family.
“The time has come for radical action and we need to get rid of the ‘one size fits all’ approach we have in schools at the moment. Not all children learn the same way and they should not all be taught the same way.”
“Rather than just tweaking with the curriculum, we need give teachers, parents and pupils more flexibility. Only then can we really give all children the best chance in life."