Research and data in the Scottish Borders: People

Why is it important to have data about education and training?

One of the national outcomes in the Scottish Government National Performance Framework states that "We are well-educated, skilled and able to contribute to society". Every individual should have equal opportunity to achieve this regardless of gender, background or any other Equalities protected characteristic. We use the latest research and data to make sure Scottish Borders plays its part in making this outcome happens in our region. 

The information on this page is an analysis of the policy framework and the topic areas that informs this national outcome.

Scottish Borders Policy framework

The 2022-23 Scottish Borders Council Plan is key to our policy framework on how we plan to deliver services in the next few years. It consists of six corporate outcome priorities, which are informed by an evidence base, including the Strategic Assessment. 

Education and training are central to the following corporate outcome priorities:

• 2: "Fulfilling our potential"
• 3: "Strong, inclusive economy"

You can see how we are delivering on these outcomes in our quarterly and annual performance reports.

 Find out more about our strategies for Community Learning and Development.

Topic areas

Official Statistics at Scottish Borders level and below are available to inform education and training policy development.

School pupil numbers, attendance and exclusions

• statistics on numbers of primary and secondary school pupils are available on the Children and Young People profile of the interactive ScotPHO Online Profiles Tool
• the latest statistics on attendance and exclusion rates in Scottish Borders schools are available from the LGBF interactive Explore tool
• The SIMD 2020 Education Deprivation indicators, measuring attendance, are available for all Scottish Borders and Scottish Datazones on the Scottish Statistics Open Data platform
• statistics on exclusion rates per 1,000 pupils are available on the Children & Young People profile of the interactive ScotPHO Online Profiling Tool
• the latest numbers of school leavers by school are available from the Statistics Scotland Open Data Platform

Attainment and school leaver destinations

• the latest Scottish Government statistics on attainment and initial leaver destinations are available
• the latest statistics on average tariff scores, milestones in numeracy and literacy, numbers of awards by SCQF level, and school leaver destinations are available for the Scottish Borders from the LGBF interactive Explore tool 
• the latest statistics on pupils attaining SCQF Level 4 or 5 numeracy and literacy by school are available from the Statistics Scotland Open Data Platform
• the latest statistics on school leavers' highest level of SCQF qualification at neighbourhood level are available from the Statistics Scotland Open Data Platform
• statistics on school leavers with 1 or more qualification at SCQF level 4, or at SCQF level 6, are available on the Children and Young People and the Health And Wellbeing profiles of the interactive ScotPHO Online Profiles Tool
• the latest statistics on the range and level of SCQF qualifications attained by school are available from the Statistics Scotland Open Data Platform
• the latest statistics on school leavers going into positive leaver destinations by school are available from the Statistics Scotland Open Data Platform
• statistics on numbers and percentages of 16-19 year olds initially participating in education, training or employment are available on the Health and Wellbeing and Children and Young People profiles of the interactive ScotPHO Online Profiles Tool
• statistics on numbers and percentages of 16-19 year olds still participating in education, training or employment at the 9-month follow-up, are available on the Children and Young People profile of the interactive ScotPHO Online Profiles Tool
• The SIMD 2020 Education Deprivation indicators, measuring attainment and participation in Higher Education, are available for all Scottish Borders and Scottish Datazones on the Scottish Statistics Open Data platform

Lifelong learning and the workplace

• statistics on working-age adults with no or low educational qualifications are available on the Health and Wellbeing profile of the interactive ScotPHO Online Profiles Tool
• the Scottish Surveys Core Questions (last updated in 2019) reports on the qualification levels of adult survey respondents
• the October 2023 Regional Skills Assessment by Skills Development Scotland reports on the future demand for skills in the Scottish Borders
• The SIMD 2020 Education Deprivation indicators, measuring working-age people with no or low qualifications, are available for all Scottish Borders and Scottish Datazones on the Scottish Statistics Open Data platform

Data on the above topics are available to browse and download, at Scottish Borders level or below. If you study or are in a community group in the Scottish Borders and would like help accessing this information, contact us using the contact details below.