North Lanarkshire Schools Celebrate Remarkable Progress in Education

Recent figures indicate that schools in North Lanarkshire are making significant strides in educational attainment, with improvements in student performance, reduced exclusions, and consistently positive inspection results. The latest performance report showcases how children and young people are excelling, often surpassing national averages in various subjects.

Impressive Academic Achievements

The report, based on 2024–25 data and national statistics published in December 2025, reveals that primary school students have shown commendable results in literacy and numeracy. In particular, children in Primary 1 have consistently performed above national averages in both areas over the last five years. Although Primary 4 experienced a minor dip this year, the long-term trajectory remains promising, with Primary 7 literacy consistently outperforming national levels.

Secondary Stage Successes

At the secondary level, S3 students have reached unprecedented highs in attainment, with third level literacy now above the national average and fourth level literacy sharply increasing. The improvement in fourth level numeracy is also noteworthy, closing the gap with the national figure. This positive trend highlights the effective strategies being implemented within North Lanarkshire schools.

Efforts to Close the Attainment Gap

The report also illustrates continued progress in addressing the poverty-related attainment gap, with literacy and numeracy disparities improving and now at their lowest points on record across several areas. These advancements reflect a dedicated effort by North Lanarkshire Council to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Stability in Teaching Standards

Moreover, North Lanarkshire Council has successfully exceeded the national teacher workforce targets, maintaining stable and favorable pupil-teacher ratios. Inspection outcomes continue to be a point of pride, with a significant number of inspections receiving “Good” or better ratings. Early years settings, in particular, have shown remarkable improvement toward consistently positive ratings.

A Commitment to Future Success

Councillor Michael McBride expressed enthusiasm regarding the findings, emphasizing the dedication of educators in North Lanarkshire. He noted, “This report shows the real impact of the hard work taking place every day in our schools and early years settings. We are seeing our strongest ever S3 results and a narrowing of attainment gaps.”

This comprehensive report highlights a very positive picture of educational progress in North Lanarkshire, paving the way for further initiatives aimed at targeted support and the continuous reduction of inequalities within the education system.