Prof Lindsay Paterson, from Edinburgh University, said the closure of schools during the Covid pandemic was one reason for the attainment gap getting worse in Scotland.

“Unlike in England and other countries, there has never been a proper programme of educational recovery here,” he told BBC Scotland News.

“The harm is greatest to those children who have not been able to get help at home, or whose parents can’t afford to pay for extra tutoring.

“But behind this is a deeper problem. The Scottish government has never had a coherent strategy for dealing with the educational effects of poverty.”

He added that there was nothing intrinsically wrong with pupils leaving after S4 as long as they have something worthwhile to go to.

Just under 56,000 young people left school last year – the highest number since 2010.

More than 95% went on to positive destinations such as university, college, employment, some training and voluntary work. This was slightly lower than the previous year but one of the highest levels since 2010.

More than 67% of school leavers last year were in higher or further education three months later.