Schools which offer education only up to S4 do not in general offer the qualifications necessary for leavers to enter higher education, but they may prepare leavers for further education. Some education authority schools are designated to receive pupils from schools which only offer education in S1 to S4 to continue their education in S5 and S6. Such schools may gain a significant proportion of pupils beyond the statutory leaving age who are interested in further and higher education. The schools whose figures could be affected in this way are identified in the tables. In some cases, this may be a temporary situation which has arisen for one year because of the closure of a neighbouring school.
Some schools have special units which make provision for pupils who have learning difficulties.
The destinations of these pupils are included in the figures in the tables and this might have a significant effect on the overall pattern of leaver destinations. However, the overall effect will be heavily dependent on the number of pupils in the special unit and the nature of their needs. Fluctuations in the figures from year to year are likely. For example, differences in the proportion of leavers proceeding to higher education may derive from the ability of pupils in a particular year group. Similarly, there may be short-term opportunities for employment in some localities.