Leading Scottish head teacher warns exam result data does not show 'bigger picture'

The head of award-winning Dunoon Grammar School called for greater focus on achievement as well as attainment

The achievements of pupils in Scotland's schools are much wider than just exam results, a respected head teacher has warned.

David Mitchell, who leads Dunoon Grammar School and is in the running to be crowned Scotland's "head teacher of the year", said it was vital to remember the "bigger picture".

He spoke out after a new analysis of exam result data showed many schools in Scotland's towns were not performing as well against their benchmarks when compared to those from urban and rural areas.

Teenage Students In Uniform Sitting Examination In School Hall

Dunoon Grammar School, which has been hailed as a model for other secondaries and won the World’s Best School Prize for Community Collaboration last year, was ranked 188th out of 340 schools in the new league table. The proportion of its pupils gaining five or more Highers increased from 30 per cent in 2016/17 to 34 per cent last year.

But it was one of many town-based schools to perform worse than its "virtual comparator", a benchmark set using data for pupils from elsewhere in Scotland who have similar characteristics to a school.

Mr Mitchell said: "We've got to watch league tables because there are so many other qualifications being provided in schools, and other opportunities being provided in schools, than National 5 and Higher qualifications.

"It's very important that each school designs their curriculum to meet their local context. We have a huge number of young people doing college courses, doing NPA courses as well.

"Obviously league tables serve a purpose, but we have to take into consideration the bigger picture regarding attainment and achievement. It's not just about attainment, it's about achievement, and our young people ensuring that they achieve their potential."

Mr Mitchell said schools had to be able to provide different routes for pupils. “We have got young people who go onto university, so we have to have a pathway for those to go onto university," he said.

"We have young people who go onto employment, so we've got to have curriculum that allows them to build up the skills and knowledge for employment.

"But we also have to have a school where the wellbeing of pupils and staff is very important.”