THE proportion of pupils reaching “positive destinations” is at the joint highest level on record, but the university class gap has grown, according to new figures.

Statistics published by the Scottish government show 93.5 per cent of state school leavers in 2024-25 were in work, education or training as of April 2026, compared to 93.1 per cent a year earlier — matching the record high of 2021-22.

Education Secretary Mairi McAllan said: “It’s fantastic to see record-high levels of young people going on to training, education, and employment when they leave school.

“This is testament to the hard work of those young people, teachers and staff that support them.”

While the overall gap between the richest and poorest fifths narrowed from 8.3 per cent in 2023-24 to 7.6 per cent in 2024-25, the already yawning class divide in proportions attending university grew still further.

About 65.1 per cent of the richest school leavers in 2024-25 went on to benefit from free tuition by going to university, compared to just 26.1 per cent of the poorest — a staggering 35.4 percentage point gap and up on the 34.7 point gulf seen in 2023-24.

While welcoming the overall figures, an Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS) spokesperson said there were “no grounds for complacency,” adding: “The gap between the most and least deprived is a stark reminder of how poverty and inequality influence our young people’s life-chances. 

“The EIS is clear that the transition from school to employment and further or higher education is an absolutely critical stage for all young people – but particularly for those from backgrounds of socio-economic deprivation – and that structured, transitional support must be fully resourced.”

NASUWT Scotland national official Mike Corbett said: “These trends are encouraging and are a testament to the hard work of young people and the dedication of their teachers.

“At a time rates of young people not in employment, education or training are rising across the UK it is critical that the Scottish government takes all steps to support continued positive progress on youth employment and training.

“Participation rates among young people from lower income backgrounds still lag behind their more affluent peers and there is still much more to do to close the gap.”