A RECORD number of North Ayrshire school leavers moved into positive destinations at the end of the last school session.

New figures show 96.1 per cent of school leavers progressed to college, university, training or employment in 2014-15.

The number of North Ayrshire pupils making a positive progression is the third highest in Scotland - with a success rate more than three per cent higher than the national average of 92.9 per cent.

And latest statistics show that the vast majority of leavers – 73 per cent - progress to further or higher education.

Since 2013-14, there has been an increase in school leavers moving directly into employment – a rise of 1.6 per cent to 20.2 per cent.

Other leavers have progressed to training opportunities or volunteering activities.  

The figures were revealed at the most recent meeting of North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet meeting last Tuesday, January 19.

Executive Director of Education and Youth Employment, John Butcher, said: “I am delighted with the results which mean North Ayrshire Council is in the top three best performing local authorities in Scotland for ensuring young people move into a positive destination after leaving school.

“Our schools are clearly offering young people an excellent education and the best possible opportunities to succeed in life.”

NAC say the improvement is partly down to a closer partnership between schools, local businesses and employers, leading to an increased awareness of the labour market and expectations in relation to future employees.

And the council say they play a “valuable role” in offering opportunities to school leavers through its employability training courses and Modern Apprenticeship programmes.

Councillor John Bruce, Cabinet Member for Education Attainment and Achievement, said: “This continued improvement in results is due to the incredible work taking place in North Ayrshire schools, where staff are working to ensure that youngsters are informed about all the opportunities available to them.

“We want to make North Ayrshire the best place to grow up and we can see that the programmes we have initiated are making a positive impact.

“These latest figures show that North Ayrshire is now one of the best areas in the country for school leavers and we will continue to work hard to ensure our young people keep moving to positive destinations.”

North Ayrshire’s new figure of 96.1 per cent of school leavers progressing to positive destinations is an increase of two per cent from last year.