School satisfaction levels the lowest on record, figures show

Public satisfaction with local schools in Scotland has hit the lowest level on record, figures show.

The data, from the Scottish Government’s annual Scottish Household Survey, shows 80% of households with a school child are satisfied with local schools.

This is the lowest level since records began in 2007/08, and compares with a peak of 90% in 2012.

It is also a fall of 5% compared with 2022, when the figure stood at 85%, making it the largest year-on-year fall in satisfaction levels since records began.

The figures also show that last year, 69% of the adult population as a whole was satisfied with local schools.

This is the joint-lowest level since 2007/08, and a full 16 percentage points lower than the peak of 85% reached in 2011.

Both results continue a downward trend in the level of satisfaction with local schools since peaks in 2011 and 2012.

Satisfaction levels also differ by region, with the lowest levels of satisfaction among the adult population being in Dumfries and Galloway (54%), and the highest being in East Renfrewshire (84%).

Satisfaction levels were also lower in the most deprived areas of the country, with two-thirds of adults in the 20% most deprived areas being satisfied with local schools, compared with three-quarters of adults in the 20% least deprived areas.

The Scottish Household Survey is an annual survey of the general population in Scotland, carried out since 1999.

Scottish Conservative education spokesman Miles Briggs described the survey results as a “damning indictment of the SNPs’ record on schools”.

He continued: “Despite insisting education was their top priority, standards have slipped, teacher numbers have fallen and the poverty-related attainment gap has widened on their watch.

“It is clear Scots can see that the SNP have taken their eye off the ball, and that pupils and teachers are paying a heavy price for their negligence.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesman Willie Rennie said: “Under the SNP, there is an overwhelming feeling that Scottish education is no longer the powerhouse it used to be.

“(Former first minister) Nicola Sturgeon once said that education would be her defining mission. Instead, the SNP’s legacy is mismanagement and neglect.

“Pupils, parents and teachers all deserve better. Scottish Liberal Democrats would give them the support they need and make our education system the best again.”

Scottish Labour education spokesperson Pam Duncan-Glancy said “After 17 years of SNP mismanagement our education system is suffering and pupils are paying the price.

“These damning survey results show parents, staff and pupils are quickly losing confidence in the SNP’s ability to run our schools.

“It’s little wonder satisfaction has taken a nosedive at a time when exam results are plummeting and reports of violence in classrooms are soaring.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “These figures show that 80% of parents and carers are satisfied with schools in their areas.

“While satisfaction levels have dipped since the pandemic, schools have been facing greater pressures since then, reflecting the impacts that lockdown had on young people.

“These are challenges faced across the UK since the pandemic.

“Scottish education continues to perform well and the most recent ACEL (Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence) statistics showed the narrowest poverty-related attainment gap in literacy levels across primary since records began.”

The spokesperson added: “The 2024-25 Local Government settlement includes funding for schools and this year we have provided record funding of over £14 billion to local authorities, representing an increase of £574.6 million, equivalent to a 4.3% cash terms increase.

“Ministers are determined to ensure we continue improving experiences and outcomes for young people, including through the ongoing education reform programme.”