THE number of Scottish school leavers gaining at least one Higher has risen to the highest level on record, new figures show.

Nearly 56% of pupils left school with one or more Highers or Advanced Highers in 2011/12, compared with 52.5% the previous year.

Meanwhile, the number of young people staying in employment, training or education after leaving school has also increased to record levels.

Of those who left school in 2012, 89.5% were recorded as remaining in employment, training or education as of March 2013, compared with 87% the previous year. Angela Constance, the Youth Employment Minister, said the increase was "great news" for Scotland's economy, employers and young people.

"More have gone into training and further and higher education, demonstrating that the need to give themselves the best possible chance of being work-ready is understood better than ever, especially as the difficult economic climate continues," she said.

"Following considerable efforts by the Scottish Government and its public, private and third sector partners, we are also seeing a series of very positive job figures showing that our work to support young people into employment is paying off."

The figures show a further 23.9% of leavers are employed, while 8.2% are unemployed and seeking work.