Borders school pupils are being let down.

The Borders Party claims that Borders schools have not improved over the last decade and in fact the number of pupils gaining five Standard Grades 1-3, or equivalent, has actually fallen from 58 per cent to around 50 per cent.

Borders pupils are actually doing better than the national average in both Scotland and England, but the Borders Party argue that the national figures include education authorities with severe social and economic problems.

"These figures are deeply worrying," said Sandy Aitchison, Borders Party councillor.

"They show that, despite the best efforts of our excellent teachers, Borders pupils are being let down.

"Half of …