Dundee attainment gap narrows as primary results improve, outperforming the Scottish average
- Andrew Batchelor
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Encouraging progress is being made in closing the attainment gap in Dundee’s primary schools, according to a new report set to go before the Children and Families Committee.
Figures show that since 2018/19, primary pupils living in the most deprived areas of the city have consistently recorded higher levels of literacy and numeracy attainment than the Scottish average.
The latest statistics, based on teacher judgement for the 2024/25 academic year, point to steady improvement across several stages.
In literacy, 69% of primary pupils living in SIMD Quintile 1, representing the most deprived areas, are achieving their expected Curriculum for Excellence levels.
That rate is higher than the Scottish average. The literacy attainment gap between the most and least deprived areas in Dundee has also narrowed significantly, falling from more than 20 percentage points in 2020/21 to less than 14 percentage points in 2024/25. This is now better than the national average.
There has also been progress at secondary level. In 2024/25, the percentage of S3 pupils from the most deprived areas achieving Third Level or better in literacy improved compared with the previous year. It marks the first rise in this measure since the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted learning.
Numeracy results have followed a similar trend. Overall primary numeracy attainment in Dundee has risen from 77% in 2020/21 to 80% in 2024/25, matching the Scottish average.
Among pupils in the most deprived communities, attainment increased from 71% to 76% over the same period.
The numeracy gap between the most and least deprived areas has reduced from more than 17 percentage points to less than 10 percentage points, again performing better than the national figure.
The poverty-related attainment gap for primary pupils in Dundee remains narrower than the Scottish average.
The report notes that this is largely due to improved performance among pupils living in the least deprived areas, alongside gains made in more deprived communities.
Children and Families Convener Councillor Stewart Hunter welcomed the findings, saying the council remains committed to improving outcomes for young people.
He said he was pleased to see the attainment gap continuing to narrow in primary schools and stressed that work would continue to ensure every pupil gets the best possible start to their learning journey.
