CATHOLIC schools are no better at providing education than their non-denominational counterparts, according to a think tank.

Many denominational state schools have a good record of tackling inequality and some are amongst the best in the country for exam results.

However, a study by left of centre think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said there was no evidence to suggest Catholic schools did better overall once pupil intake had been taken into account.

The report concluded that devolving more power to all state schools was the best way to raise standards.

The findings come after the Scottish Government put forward proposals to give more money directly to headteachers so decisions could be taken at school rather than council level.

The decision has been criticised because of concerns that council education officials have a better understanding of the needs of pupils across a particular region and can therefore make better strategic decisions.

Russell Gunson, director of IPPR Scotland, said: "Once you take account of intake, there is no evidence to suggest denominational schools, or non-denominational schools see better school performance or attainment.

"It may or may not be the case that different school types add value in other ways, but on the issue of pupil attainment, the hard evidence shows that a religious ethos in itself doesn't make a difference.

“Instead we should focus on devolving education powers to the right level to make a difference so that teachers, parents, heads, pupils, councils and the Scottish Government, can play the vital role they each need to play to close the attainment gap in Scotland."

The Autonomy in the Right Place report said moves should be made to "poverty-proof” the school day, week and year, to make sure the costs of being at school, from school uniforms to educational trips, were not financial barriers to attainment for some pupils.

The analysis found 45.37 per cent of pupils in RC schools get three Highers or more, compared to 45.96 per cent in non-religious schools. Meanwhile 58.81 per cent meet literacy and numeracy targets, compared to 59.64 per cent in non-denominational schools.

It recommends "increased wrap-around provision" for schools with the most deprived pupils, such as breakfast, after-school, weekend and holiday provision, offering formal and informal learning to help pupils at risk of falling behind.

New Regional Educational Partnerships to operate across local authorities should take responsibility for funding and monitoring progress towards closing the attainment gap, teacher workforce planning and continuing professional development for teachers.

New parent and pupil councils should also be at the heart of decision-making at the local level, bringing greater accountability alongside greater devolution to schools, according to IPPR Scotland.

Meanwhile, teachers should be enabled to focus on evidence in tracking pupils’ progress, ensuring devolution to schools moves beyond devolution to the head teacher.

Gordon MacRae, chief executive of the Humanist Society Scotland (HSS), which was involved in the report, said it showed there was no evidence to back up claims that denominational schools produced better educational outcomes for pupils.

He added: "The evidence points to parental involvement and not a school's religious character as the key to success.

"It is clear, therefore, that segregating school pupils should play no part in closing Scotland's education attainment gap."

The Scottish Catholic media office declined to comment.