Literacy levels in Scotland are at the highest since the data was first collated in 2016. In Orkney the percentage of pupils in P1,P4 and P7 achieving expected CfE (Curriculum for Excellence) levels is at 86% for Reading, compared to the Scottish average of 80%.
In Writing Orkney pupils are at 81%, compared to a Scottish average of 76%. The CfE also measures achievement in Listening and Talking, with Orkney pupils achieving 93% compared to a Scottish average of 87%.
Literacy taken as a whole has Orkney pupils at 80%, compared to a Scottish average of 74%.
| Year | Percentage Orkney Pupils P1,P4, P7 Achieving expected levels in Literacy |
| 2016/17 | 61% |
| 2017/18 | 65% |
| 2018/19 | 61% |
| 2019/20 | none recorded in the survey |
| 2020/21 | 68% |
| 2021/22 | 72% |
| 2022/23 | 78% |
| 2023/24 | 80% |
Achievement in numeracy is also high for P1, P4 and P7 : in Orkney at 85%, compared to a Scottish average of 80%.
The Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Levels 2023-24 statistics publication also shows that the attainment gap (a comparison between pupils from well off and poorer households ) among primary pupils was at its lowest ever level for literacy. The attainment gap in numeracy, however, for primary pupils has increased.
Recognising that ‘there is still work to be done’, Jenny Gilruth, Education Secretary in the Scottish Government said:
“I am grateful to all of our teachers and schools who have worked incredibly hard to support children across the country to achieve record high levels of literacy and numeracy.
“The Scottish Government has been consistently clear in its aim to close the poverty-related attainment gap, which is why we are investing £1 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge and supporting the expansion of free school meals and breakfast clubs. These figures show that this extra support for disadvantaged pupils is having an impact with the attainment gap in literacy at a record low level.”
It is a different story at Secondary 3 Level.
Orkney’s students continue to perform well at Secondary 3 Level, however, down from previous years.
In Reading Orkney’s S3 students achieving Third Level or better = 88% : Scottish average = 90%
In Writing Orkney’s S3 students achieving Third Level or better = 80% : Scottish average = 90%
In Listening and Talking Orkney’s S3 students achieving Third Level or better = 88% : Scottish average = 91%
In Literacy Orkney’s S3 students achieving Third Level or better = 79% : Scottish average = 88%
In Numeracy Orkney’s S3 students achieving Third Level or better = 90% : Scottish average = 90%
Statistics can never give a complete picture of the work being done in our schools and the wide range of activities that children and young people participate in. High standards in Literacy and Numeracy are vital for pupils in accessing the wider aspects of the curriculum and in feeling confident in their learning. Achieving these levels must never be about teaching to the test so it looks good in a government spreadsheet. Unlocking the barriers preventing children from enjoying the discoveries that increased knowledge and critical thinking holds should be the main focus.
Fiona Grahame