CLACKS school leavers are less likely to go into higher education than anywhere else in Scotland, according to new figures.

But the local authority says it is committed to improving outcomes for all.

“Disappointing” data from Scotland's chief statistician shows that of the close to 500 Wee County school leavers in 2015/16, only 25 per cent moved on to do an HND/HNC course or a university degree.

The second lowest in the country was the Shetland Islands with 30 per cent, while the figure was 66 per cent for pupils in East Renfrewshire.

At the same time, 29 per cent started a course in further education which may include national qualifications and 30 per cent of local youngsters went straight into work after secondary school and only one per cent were recorded to be unemployed, but not seeking a job.

However, it still seems that children from Clackmannanshire are amongst the least likely to reach a 'positive initial destination' as young adults.

According to the figures, 90.2 per cent of youngsters from the county went into either higher education, further education, training, voluntary work, employment or activity arrangements – the second lowest number on Scotland ahead of Glasgow City's 89.9 per cent. The national average is 93.3 per cent.

The number has risen and fallen in the past five years – peaking at 93.3 per cent in 2013/14.

Clacks is also one of the few places where more S4-S6 leavers went into further education than higher education – the only others being Dundee City and East Ayrshire.

According to the figures, there is a clear gap in achievement between those from the most and least deprived areas of Scotland.

Across the country, only 88.7 per cent of those from the poorest backgrounds reached a positive initial destination, but the number has been on the rise in the past years.

As previously reported, some parts of the Wee County ranked 13th worst out of the nearly 7,000 zones of the country.

On the other hand, 96.6 per cent of youngsters from Scotland's most affluent areas went into work or to do more studies after school.

Alongside the Shetland Islands, the Wee County was only one of two local authority areas where more people went into work than into higher education – it is important to note, however, that the employment category does include all modern apprentices who do also attend a college course alongside their jobs.

A spokesperson for the council said: "These latest figures are disappointing.

“However, the reasons are complex and we know that we have important work to do across all our schools and communities to raise attainment and address disadvantage.

“As part of Scotland's Attainment Challenge and Developing the Young Workforce, we are committed to improving outcomes for all our children and young people by increasing opportunity and supporting them throughout education to develop the right mix of skills for life, learning and work."