A BARRHEAD school has been praised at Holyrood after it was revealed all of the pupils who left last year went on to university, college, work or training.

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville singled out Barrhead High as a shining example of successful efforts to ensure school leavers go on to a “positive destination.”

She told the Scottish Parliament: “I pay credit to the work they have done.”

While 100% of Barrhead High leavers went on to university, college, work or training in 2021/22, pupils across town at St Luke’s High weren’t far behind, with more than 99% doing likewise.

The same figure was recorded at St Ninian’s High, in Giffnock.

A total of 1,430 young people left East Renfrewshire schools in 2021/22, with statistics published by the Scottish Government confirming that 1,408 (98.5%) made a “positive next step” in their development.

This is the highest proportion ever recorded in the local area, with the previous best being 97.7%, and also exceeds the national average of 95.7%.

The number of school leavers going on to higher education was 998 (69.8%), with 177 (12.4%) progressing to further education, 204 (14.3%) getting a job and 29 (3.5%) signing up for training courses, personal development programmes or volunteering.

Councillor Andrew Anderson, East Renfrewshire’s education, equalities, culture and leisure convener, said: “Our schools are recognised as being some of the best in the country, so it is extremely pleasing to see that our pupils are building on all their excellent experiences and taking this into the next stage of their learning.

“It is notable that, in Barrhead and St Luke’s, despite serving communities that experience higher levels of poverty, proactive partnership working has led to these significant achievements.

“These figures reflect very well on our young people and the support they receive from school staff, working in partnership with Skills Development Scotland colleagues and our education department’s Developing the Young Workforce team.

“It is clear that we are preparing our young people well for their future learning and careers and will continue to work to support the small number still looking to make that next step.”

Sharon Kelly, of Skills Development Scotland, added: “It’s hugely encouraging to see East Renfrewshire continuing to achieve such a high positive destination rate.

“Senior phase pupils in East Renfrewshire have demonstrated great resilience after the disruption of the last few years and I’m delighted that their hard work and commitment has paid off.”