Almost 95 per cent of children went onto education or work.

Almost 2,000 teenagers left high school in West Lothian this summer- and the majority went onto further education, training or work.

Some 94.4 per cent of the county’s school-leavers are now in further education at college or university, undertaking apprenticeships or training and working.

West Lothian Council’s Education Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel heard that this figure was a slight increase on last year’s leavers but represents a 10 per cent growth in the last decade.

This is the highest positive destination figure ever achieved by West Lothian Schools. Out of 32 local authorities West Lothian was ranked joint thirteenth.

Training projects established with West Lothian College and Oatridge College have helped push the figures up.

Council leader Councillor Larence Fitzpatrick, chairing themeeting said: “It’s a fantastic result. Well done to everyone involved.”