Glasgow’s analysis of it’s own record confirms that the city’s secondary schools perform well below the norm in absolute terms: 56 per cent of the national average gained five or more Standard grade Credit awards in S4 and the same proportion of the S5 roll achieved three or more Higher passes.

But the results represent increases of 4 per cent and 6 per cent respectively from 1994-96 and the trend is one of improvement over these three years, officials say.

At Standard grade, presentations per pupil rose, there were more Credit awards and the proportion of pupils with five or more Credits has maintained the 1995 improvement into 1996. At Higher grade, presentations per pupil increased, the quality of awards was maintained and there has been a growing proportion of pupils with three or more A-C passes.

There was considerable variation in subject performance. Standard grades 1-4 were 86 per cent of the national average in English and 70 per cent in maths. Higher English bands A-C were 55 per cent of the national average and 54 per cent in maths. Presentations also varied. Numbers sitting craft and design were 22 per cent above the national average, while graphic communication was 43 per cent below.

Scrutiny of relative ratings also reveals departmental strengths and weaknesses.

The best Standard grade performances last session were in art and design, drama and English and the worst in graphic communication, geography and physics. The strongest showings at Higher grade are in drama, German and biology while pupils do relatively least well in graphic communication, technological studies, computing studies and secretarial studies.

One of the bright spots is the number of fifth and sixth-year pupils gaining three or more Scotvec modules: 40 per cent, against the national average of 38 per cent.