CLACKS was one of Scotland's top three local authorities for young people moving onto positive destinations, according to the government statistics.

More young people in Clackmannanshire have moved onto positive destinations than ever before, reflecting the improving trend of the past few years.

School leavers who are engaged in higher education, further education, training, voluntary work or employment are classed as having a positive destination.

Out of 32 local authorities in Scotland, Clackmannanshire Council was third, with 96.5 per cent of pupils entering a positive destination including work, training or further study within three months of leaving school last year.

The Wee County's figure is more than three per cent higher than the Scotland-wide figure of 93.3 per cent, official statistics released by the Scottish Government show.

Cllr Graham Lindsay, spokesperson for education, said: "I am delighted with these figures, as they reflect the fact that so many of our young people are leaving school equipped with the necessary skills to move on with the next stage in their lives.

"That our young people are achieving so much in the face of the challenges they faced last year due to Covid-19, is a tribute to their resilience.

"This continuing trend of an increase in positive destinations for Clackmannanshire pupils is also a result of the on-going support they receive from their families, teachers and the partnerships that have been developed with organisations, to ensure that they have every chance to reach their full potential."

A total of 65 per cent of young people in Clackmannanshire moved on to further or higher education, with this total showing an increase in further education.

There was a 5 per cent increase in pupils entering training, with a total of 11 per cent taking this route.

In addition 17.6 per cent of young people entered employment.

The percentage of pupils who were unemployed and seeking employment was 2.4 per cent, which was a decrease from 3.9 per cent the year before.

Keith Brown, MSP for the Clackmannanshire and Dunblane constituency, added said: "I was delighted to see that Clackmannanshire has not only bucked the trend of a Covid-related drop in the headline figures, but we have in fact significantly exceeded the national average and are now third on the list with positive outcomes for 96.5 per cent of all school leavers.

"That represents a huge amount of progress from just three years previously when Clackmannanshire was at the foot of the list.

"Well done to pupils, teachers, parents, educational officials and everyone else associated with this excellent achievement."