Pass rates rise across Scotland, but even more can be done with breakfast 

It’s impossible for anyone to write about exam results without remembering their own time sat waiting for the postie to arrive at the door, or, if you were so inclined, the early morning text from the SQA. The feeling of pulling open the strict ‘Do Not Bend’ envelope to see how months (and years) of hard work has paid off in a few simple letters A-D. 

Yesterday, the letters and texts, now from QS, have arrived on doormats and mobiles across Scotland. We know from official statistics that pass rates across all exams have risen this year. But behind every grade is a student who’s worked to secure their success. The congratulations of the whole team at Magic Breakfast goes to each and every one of them, especially those in our partner schools across Scotland.  

If we’re to eliminate the poverty related attainment gap, then action like school breakfast provision is vital. This year’s results show a 16 percentage point gap at A-C passes in Higher and National 5s between the most and least disadvantaged students. This is slightly smaller than last year, but not small enough. The contribution that school breakfasts can make to exam success is clear and our partner schools see it. As our latest Annual Breakfast Survey found, 72% of partner secondary schools in Scotland agree that school breakfast positively impacts academic attainment and exam readiness. This is backed by a study from the University of Leeds which shows that regular breakfast consumption can result in securing two grades higher in key exams. 

But the benefits of school breakfast don’t just start when you reach Nat 5s. Independent evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation shows that at the Primary 3 age group, school breakfast provision can secure an extra two months of academic progress in key subjects like English and Maths. 

This is why it is so vital that the Scottish Government meets its commitment to all pupils in primary and special schools to rollout its’ promise of universal school breakfast provision from next August.

We’re working with the Scottish Parliament to deliver for communities across Scotland by seeking cross-party support from MSPs for our three-point plan to deliver school breakfast provision by: 

• Ensuring the Scottish Government delivers its commitment to provide universal school breakfast provision for all primary and special schools from August 2027. 
• Scrutinising the delivery of the Scottish Government’s commitment by drawing on the experiences of children and young people, schools and local communities to deliver effective and workable national guidance for all communities and schools. 
• Working with the Scottish Government to ensure national school breakfast provision is fully aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). 

Schools will be back in session within a couple of weeks. For primary schools, this should be the last year without universal school breakfast provision. But for secondary schools, the wait continues.

Teenagers who have breakfast are healthier and happier. They build stronger relationships and achieve better academic outcomes. They go on to enjoy improved life chances and employment prospects, making greater contributions to society and to the economy. 

As the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Màiri McAllan MSP, rightly noted, these results are a ‘testament to the breadth and strength of Scotland’s education system, the professionalism of our teachers and school staff and the hard work of our young people’. 

But hunger, attainment, and opportunity don’t end at age 11. In 365 days when Scotland has begun its delivery of school breakfast provision for all pupils in primary and special schools, thousands of teenagers will continue to miss out. Our work won’t stop until we have delivered this brighter future for every young Scot.