Dumfries and Galloway primary pupils lagging behind in attainment levels

Dumfries and Galloway primary pupils have been found to be lagging behind in attainment levels, according to a recent report. Pupils in P1, P4, and P7 are falling below the Scottish national average in key areas of learning, including reading, writing, literacy, and numeracy. The gap in attainment levels becomes even more pronounced by the time these students reach S3 in high school, with only numerical skills catching up with the national average.

The concerning data is part of a new attainment report that will be presented at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Nithsdale Area Committee. This news follows concerns raised by a teaching representative about the impact of staff shortages and limited resources on students’ achievement levels just a month prior.

The report for the 2022/23 school year provides a detailed breakdown of attainment figures for primary schools in Nithsdale and the wider region, comparing them to the Scottish national average. Teacher judgements are based on reading, writing, listening and talking, and numeracy skills for students in P1, P4, P7, and S3.

In the 2022/23 academic year, Dumfries and Galloway P1 pupils scored below the Scottish averages in reading (74.7% vs. 80.6%), writing (72.7% vs. 78.4%), literacy (68.5% vs. 75.7%), and numeracy (78.1% vs. 84.7%). Similarly, P4 and P7 pupils also demonstrated lower attainment levels compared to the national averages in the same key areas.

At a recent education committee meeting, Julie Irving, a teacher at Gatehouse Primary School, highlighted the challenges faced by teachers due to the lack of adequate support staff. Many educators are struggling to manage disruptive behavior, impacting their ability to effectively teach and thereby affecting student achievement.

As Mrs. Irving stressed the importance of additional support staff to help address behavioral issues and enhance the learning environment, it raised concerns about the overall impact on students’ education and attainment levels.

This ongoing issue underscores the need for urgent action to support both teachers and pupils in Dumfries and Galloway to improve educational outcomes and ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Insights and Summary:
The report on Dumfries and Galloway primary pupils’ lagging attainment levels sheds light on the challenges faced by both students and teachers in the region. The data highlights a concerning trend that requires immediate attention from education authorities to provide necessary support and resources to improve academic outcomes. Addressing staff shortages and behavioral issues in the classroom is crucial to creating a conducive learning environment that fosters student success. It is essential to prioritise investment in education and empower teachers with the tools and support they need to help students thrive academically.