THE attainment of school pupils in Clydebank has fallen across every primary age group, according to new figures.

The Scottish Government statistics, which show the result of the achievement of curriculum for excellence, highlight that literacy and numeracy has fallen in primary schools.

In West Dunbartonshire, the total local authority attainment for English writing in P7 pupils was 66 per cent in the year 2020/21, compared to 70 per cent in 2018/19.

In numeracy, P7 pupils in the local authority recorded 70 per cent in 2020/21, compared with 71 per cent in 2018/19.

The percentage of pupils achieving expected Curriculum for Excellence levels in numeracy between 2018/19 and 2020/21 also fell for every primary age group.

Politicians and council bosses blamed the growing attainment gap on disruption from the pandemic.

Clydebank MSP Marie McNair said: “The 2020-21 stats show the global pandemic seriously impacted the learning of school children not just in West Dunbartonshire or Scotland, but across the world.

“Prior to the pandemic, the stats were really positive. The data showed that every year more children and young people were achieving the expected levels in literacy and numeracy – at every level, on each parameter, in all parts of Scotland.

“To respond to the challenge the Scottish Government has brought in 2,000 more teachers than were employed before the pandemic, with a further 1,500 to be recruited over the next few years. It’s why £1 billion has been invested to tackle the poverty-related attainment gap. And it’s why £42 million was set aside in the budget to expand free school meals for children in primary four and five.”

A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Council said: “The pandemic has had a detrimental effect on pupils’ learning and particularly those who are living in areas of deprivation.

“We are fully committed to supporting all of our young people to achieve their best and we have well established plans in place across our primary and secondary schools.

“We are developing further actions to narrow the poverty related attainment gap with the funding available. Plans to support raising attainment are continually monitored with Head Teachers and Senior Education Officers.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The latest primary school statistics reflect the significant impact the pandemic has had on our children and young people. Before the pandemic, the year-on-year trend in this data was positive.

“Plans are in place to tackle the impact of the pandemic. Our action to support children and young people includes recruiting 3,500 additional teachers and 500 support staff and investing a record £1 billion to tackle the poverty-related attainment gap.”