Insight: What's New

New in the September 2024 release of Insight

New Data

This release updates Local Dashboard Measures using 2023/24 cohort data.

New Features

With the February 2024 Update, a new filter has been added to the Breadth and Depth measures, both "Leavers" and "All Candidates", to allow filtering of the measure by SCQF Credit points. This filter will allow analysis of how courses of different durations impact upon the measure. ( A reminder that one SCQF Credit Point represents a notional 10 hours of learning.)

  • We have expanded the range of Wider Award Providers who supply us with attainment data. Details of these additions can be found within Deep Dive 2.
  • Continued revision of Help and Support materials including a paper for Breadth and Depth filter detailed below.
  • A reminder that with the February 2024 Update, a new filter was added to the Breadth and Depth measures, both "Leavers" and "All Candidates", to allow filtering of the measure by SCQF Credit points. This filter allows analysis of how courses of different durations impact upon the measure. ( A reminder that one SCQF Credit Point represents a notional 10 hours of learning.)

    COVID-19 Statement - September 2024

    A reminder that there were different approaches to awarding in sessions included in this update. Comparisons of attainment between years should be treated with significant caution and do not allow for conclusions to be drawn on changes in education performance during this time. Comparisons of entries, attainment volumes and attainment rates should only be made with full consideration and recognition of each of these different approaches.

    National (School Leavers) Measures

    Users are reminded that National/Leavers attainment data (as updated in the February 2024 Update) may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    Destinations figures may reflect both choices made by pupils, as well as the opportunities available to them upon leaving school. The availability of particular opportunities (employment opportunities, for example) may have been directly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, while options available to school leavers may also have been affected by the impact of differing approaches to certification on attainment levels.

    Local (All Candidate) Measures

    Local/Cohort attainment data (as updated in September 2024), depending on the cohort selected, may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions (typically these would be S5 and S6 cohorts) and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    New in the February 2024 release of Insight

    COVID-19 Statement - February 2024

    Care must be taken when comparing the attainment of cohorts over the past three years and when comparing these years to the attainment of earlier cohorts. Comparisons of entries, attainment volumes and attainment rates should only be made with full consideration and recognition of each of these different approaches.

    National (School Leavers) Measures

    Users are reminded that National/Leavers attainment data (as updated in the February 2024 Update) may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    Destinations figures may reflect both choices made by pupils, as well as the opportunities available to them upon leaving school. The availability of particular opportunities (employment opportunities, for example) may have been directly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, while options available to school leavers may also have been affected by the impact of differing approaches to certification on attainment levels.

    Local (All Candidate) Measures

    Local/Cohort attainment data (as updated in September 2023), depending on the cohort selected, may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions (typically these would be S5 and S6 cohorts) and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    New Data

    This release updates the National Dashboard Measures using 2022/23 leavers data from Skills Development Scotland (SDS). The Update will also contain post administrative review data from the 2023 diet.

    New Features

    With the February 2024 Update, a new filter has been added to the Breadth and Depth measures, both "Leavers" and "All Candidates", to allow filtering of the measure by SCQF Credit points. This filter will allow analysis of how courses of different durations impact upon the measure. ( A reminder that one SCQF Credit Point represents a notional 10 hours of learning.)

    New in the September 2023 release of Insight

    COVID-19 Statement - September 2023

    There have been different approaches to awarding in each year since 2019. This means that comparisons of attainment between years should be treated with significant caution and do not allow for conclusions to be drawn on changes in education performance during this time. Comparisons of entries, attainment volumes and attainment rates should only be made with full consideration and recognition of each of these different approaches.

    National (School Leavers) Measures

    Users are reminded that National/Leavers attainment data (as updated in the February 2023 Update) may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    Destinations figures may reflect both choices made by pupils, as well as the opportunities available to them upon leaving school. The availability of particular opportunities (employment opportunities, for example) may have been directly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, while options available to school leavers may also have been affected by the impact of differing approaches to certification on attainment levels.

    Local (All Candidate) Measures

    Local/Cohort attainment data (as updated in September 2023), depending on the cohort selected, may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions (typically these would be S5 and S6 cohorts) and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    New Data

    This release updates Local Dashboard Measures using 2022/23 cohort data.

    New Features

    This release contains new and recently added features to make Insight easier and more responsive for users, including:
  • Continued revision of Help and Support materials including the introduction of a new Deep Dive, "Deep Dive 10: Learning Partners", a guide to linking schools with other centres to aid partnership working.

    New in the February 2023 release of Insight

    COVID-19 Statement - February 2023

    Care must be taken when comparing the attainment of cohorts over the past three years and when comparing these years to the attainment of earlier cohorts. Comparisons of entries, attainment volumes and attainment rates should only be made with full consideration and recognition of each of these different approaches.

    National (School Leavers) Measures

    Users are reminded that National/Leavers attainment data (as updated in the February 2023 Update) may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    Destinations figures may reflect both choices made by pupils, as well as the opportunities available to them upon leaving school. The availability of particular opportunities (employment opportunities, for example) may have been directly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, while options available to school leavers may also have been affected by the impact of differing approaches to certification on attainment levels.

    Local (All Candidate) Measures

    Local/Cohort attainment data (as updated in September 2022), depending on the cohort selected, may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions (typically these would be S5 and S6 cohorts) and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    New Data

    This release updates the National Dashboard Measures using 2021/22 leavers data from Skills Development Scotland (SDS). The Update will also contain post administrative review data from the 2022 diet.

    New Features

    This release contains new and recently added features to make Insight easier and more responsive for users, including:
  • Continued revision of Help and Support materials including newly produced video guides

    New in the September 2022 release of Insight

    COVID-19 Statement -September 2022

    Care must be taken when comparing the attainment of cohorts over the past three years and when comparing these years to the attainment of earlier cohorts. Comparisons of entries, attainment volumes and attainment rates should only be made with full consideration and recognition of each of these different approaches.

    National (School Leavers) Measures

    Users are reminded that National/Leavers attainment data (as updated in the February 2022 Update) may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    Destinations figures may reflect both choices made by pupils, as well as the opportunities available to them upon leaving school. The availability of particular opportunities (employment opportunities, for example) may have been directly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, while options available to school leavers may also have been affected by the impact of differing approaches to certification on attainment levels.

    Local (All Candidate) Measures

    Local/Cohort attainment data (as updated in September 2022), depending on the cohort selected, may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions (typically these would be S5 and S6 cohorts) and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    New Data

    This release updates Local Dashboard Measures using 2021/22 cohort data.

    New Features

    This release contains new and recently added features to make Insight easier and more responsive for users, including:
  • Insight uses SIMD 2020 data for years 2020/21 onwards in all national and local measures
  • Significant revision of Help and Support materials including additional Deep Dives and new materials to support usage of the Analytical Data Set within schools

    • New in the February 2022 release of Insight

    COVID-19 Statement - February 2022

    The time period covered by these statistics means that the results will be affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In particular, the cancellation of exams and external assessment of coursework in 2020, and the use of the Alternative Certification Model in 2021, will have affected the attainment of many 2020/21 school leavers. It is also likely that the pandemic will have continued to affect the destination choices made by, and opportunities available to, some school leavers in 2020/21.

    The impacts of these different approaches to certification upon school leaver attainment means that care should be taken when making comparisons over time. The attainment data provides an accurate reflection of the attainment with which school leavers in Scotland left school; for this reason attainment data for 2020/21, 2019/20 and previous years are presented together.

    Note that these statistics now include the attainment of those learners who registered for the Incomplete Evidence Contingency (IEC) process, introduced as part of the Alternative Certification Model (AMC) 2021, to allow learners who meet specific criteria to undertake assessments and be resulted post-August 2021. Any IEC entries that were subsequently resulted are included as part of this February release.

    New Data

    This release updates the National Dashboard Measures using 2020/21 leavers data from Skills Development Scotland (SDS). The Update will also contain post administrative review data from the 2021 diet and attainment gained through the Incomplete Evidence Contingency.

    Virtual Comparator

    The virtual comparator is designed to offer a comparison for your school taking account of key background characteristics (sex, deprivation, additional support needs and stage of leaving / stage) of your pupils. It is possible for changes in the virtual comparator to occur. This happens if there are changes in the underlying data which feeds into Insight and which is used to build the virtual comparator. The VC has been designed so that in most cases changes are small and the messages presented should not be affected.

    You may notice some changes to previous years’ comparators values and commentaries in Insight. While the methodology for selecting the VCs has not changed (i.e. VCs continue to be assigned based on the four key characteristics), we are aware that VCs have been reselected for this release, even though there are no changes to the underlying data. In previous years, changes to the VCs were expected and occurred when the underlying data changed only. We are investigating why this has occurred.

    A health check was conducted on the virtual comparator in 2016, the results of which were reassuring and showed that the messages provided to schools remained consistent when the virtual comparators were reselected multiple times (on the same characteristics).

    New in the September 2021 release of Insight

    COVID-19 Statement -September 2021

    Entry and attainment figures for the years up to and including 2019 are derived from different awarding approaches than 2020 and, separately, 2021. Comparisons of entries, attainment volumes and attainment rates should only be made with full consideration and recognition of each of these different approaches.

    Note that these statistics do not include 465 entries (282 pupils) who have registered for the Incomplete Evidence Contingency (IEC) process, introduced as part of the Alternative Certification Model (AMC) 2021 to allow learners who meet specific criteria to undertake assessments and be resulted post-August 2021. Any IEC entries that are subsequently resulted will be included as part of the February release. The number entered for and resulted may change between September and February.

    National (School Leavers) Measures

    Users are reminded that National/Leavers attainment data (as updated in the February 2021 Update) may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    Destinations figures may reflect both choices made by pupils, as well as the opportunities available to them upon leaving school. The availability of particular opportunities (employment opportunities, for example) may have been directly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, while options available to school leavers may also have been affected by the impact of the approach to certification in 2020 on attainment levels.

    Local (All Candidate) Measures

    Local/Cohort attainment data (as updated in September 2021), depending on the cohort selected, may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions (typically these would be S5 and S6 cohorts) and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    New Data

    This release updates Local Dashboard Measures using 2020/21 cohort data.

    New Features

    This release contains new and recently added features to make Insight easier and more responsive for users, including:
  • Insight uses SIMD 2020 data for years 2020/21 onwards in all national and local measures
  • A help sheet to support school analysis of the 2021 data
  • Advisors now have access to a suite of anonymised training data to better support large group Insight sessions

    • New in the February 2021 release of Insight

    COVID-19 Statement - updated February 2021

    For 2020 the absence of external assessment information, and the Ministerial direction to award estimated grades, have led to a different pattern of attainment than we have seen in previous years. The results for 2020 should not be directly compared to those in previous years or future years. The 2020 Insight data cannot be used to directly demonstrate subject, school or authority improvement compared with previous years. Care should also be taken when looking at your school attainment compared to the virtual comparator.

    National (School Leavers) Measures

    Users are reminded that National/Leavers attainment data (as updated in the February 2021 Update) may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    Destinations figures may reflect both choices made by pupils, as well as the opportunities available to them upon leaving school. The availability of particular opportunities (employment opportunities, for example) may have been directly affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, while options available to school leavers may also have been affected by the impact of the approach to certification in 2020 on attainment levels.

    Local (All Candidate) Measures

    Local/Cohort attainment data (as updated in December 2020), depending on the cohort selected, may include attainment gained across a number of academic sessions (typically these would be S5 and S6 cohorts) and therefore reflect differing approaches to certification dependant on the session in which the achievement was certificated.

    New Data

    This release updates the National Dashboard Measures using 2019/20 leavers data from Skills Development Scotland (SDS). It will also contain post administrative review data of 2020 results.

    South Lanarkshire S4 Data Issue

    The S4 data issue, as described below, has been resolved.

    New in the December 2020 release of Insight

    COVID-19 statement

    Care is required when making any comparisons drawing on the 2020 data. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, schools were closed rapidly in March 2020, affecting assessment and moderation processes for most courses. For 2020 the absence of external assessment information and the Ministerial direction to award estimated grades, have led to a different pattern of attainment than we have seen in previous years. The 2020 Insight data cannot therefore be used to demonstrate subject, school or authority improvement compared with previous years. Users will also consider school context and other sources of information in their analysis.

    New Data

    This release updates Local Dashboard Measures using 2019/20 cohort data.

    Foundation Apprenticeships

    Learners that were on track to achieve a full Foundation Apprenticeship received a Letter of Recognition from SDS and SQA confirming that, had it not been for the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the learner was on track to achieve the full FA award. This 'Letter of Recognition' is recognised as evidence for the eligibility requirements for University degree and College course admissions, as per existing published specifications. The FA Letter of Recognition will carry the same Insight tariff points as the full FA Award.

    New Features

    This release contains new and recently added features to make Insight easier and more responsive for users, including:
  • The introduction of a Free School Meals (FSM) filter to aid analysis.
  • User interface changes such as renamed buttons and use of colour to aid use

    • South Lanarkshire S4 Data Issue

    We have identified a system error relating to Scottish Candidate Numbers which means the data released in December 2020 does not wholly reflect the attainment of S4 pupils within South Lanarkshire. This issue has affected some schools more significantly than others. South Lanarkshire aggregated data and the West Partnership Regional Improvement Collaborative aggregated data will be impacted. We anticipate having this issue fixed and the attainment backdated for the February 2021 Insight release. South Lanarkshire schools may wish to wait until this February 2021 release for a clearer overview of S4 attainment within their schools.

    New in the February 2020 release of Insight

    New Data

    This release updates the National Dashboard Measures using 2018/19 leavers data from Skills Development Scotland (SDS). It will also contain post administrative review data of 2019 exam results.

    New in the February 2019 release of Insight

    New Data

    This release updates the National Dashboard Measures using 2017/18 leavers data from Skills Development Scotland (SDS). It will also contain post administrative review data of 2018 exam results.

    New Features

    This release contains new and recently added features to make Insight easier and more responsive for users, including:
  • The introduction of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) Quintiles filter will allow users to identify the most deprived 20%, the least deprived 20% of pupils and quintiles in between. This replaces the current SIMD filter which separates the cohort into the most deprived 30%, the middle 40% and the least deprived 30% respectively. This will facilitate the use of data in the context of closing the attainment gap.
  • We have made it easier to move around Insight with a new feature to navigate between related measures and measure breakdowns in Insight. A new menu has been added to the measure control panel which allows users to select and navigate to associated pages. Selected filter options are retained between pages to aid comparisons.
  • We have made it easier for users to find qualifications just by typing part of the name of the award. The new search function has been added to the options menu within the Selected Course Measures.

    New in the September 2018 release of Insight

    New Data

  • The inclusion of Foundation Apprenticeships, recognising that this is the first point at which full (non-pathfinder) FAs have been certificated. Because these awards have been certificated at local colleges, these awards will appear in the Course Partnership Summary output in the system.

    • New Features

  • The introduction of a new Grade Neutral Tariff measure on a pilot basis. This is an agreed outcome from the work of the Insight Tariff Review, which will allow a more nuanced consideration of attainment which takes into account graded and ungraded elements of attainment.