WIREDGOV

Seven local authorities have been announced by Education Secretary Angela Constance today as the first recipients of funding from the £100 million Attainment Scotland Fund.

Glasgow, Dundee, Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire, Clackmannanshire and North Lanarkshire are the first beneficiaries of the fund, which was announced last week by the First Minister.

Speaking in Parliament, Ms Constance said the funding is targeting local authorities with the highest concentration of pupils living in deprived areas.

Ms Constance also announced annual funding of £0.5 million which will support a National Mentoring Scheme to improve the lives of looked after children.

The investment is in addition to £10 million funding to back the implementation of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.

Ms Constance said:

“While we know school education in Scotland is getting better, with record exam results and a record number of school leavers in work, education or training, we have long recognised attainment as being an important area where improvement is needed.

“Our new Scottish Attainment Challenge, announced by the First Minister, will play a key role in driving that work, with a fund of £100 million to be invested over four years. 

“Today I am pleased to announce that, initially the fund will be concentrated on Glasgow, Dundee, Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire, Clackmannanshire and North Lanarkshire. Many of these authorities are already doing well but we are confident that with further support they can do more.

“The fund will be directed specifically to improve literacy, numeracy, health and wellbeing in primary schools – again, if we can close the attainment gap when children are young, the benefits will continue into secondary school and beyond.

“There will be a bespoke improvement plan and access to resources and expertise in each area. We will measure improvement rigorously, and ensure that lessons are learned nationally about what works and what doesn’t. 

“However, I fully recognise that there is need across Scotland. During the coming year we will continue to work with other authority areas.” 

Looked after children also benefited today from the announcement of funding for a National Mentoring Scheme.

Mentoring has been shown to make a significant difference in helping looked after children overcome additional difficulties they experience and boost their educational attainment.

Initially under the scheme a trusted adult volunteer will provide guidance and support for as long as required to children between eight and 14 years old who are looked after at home. 

Ms Constance said:

“Looked after children face particular disadvantages and can have the poorest educational outcomes of all. Mentoring can make a significant difference to their lives. 

“That’s why I am committing £0.5 million to establish a National Mentoring Scheme, in addition to the £10 million which will support legislation to improve the lives of our young people and the recently-announced £100 million Attainment Scotland Fund.”

Welcoming the announcement, Steven Paterson, Depute Director of the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children (CELCIS) based at University of Strathclyde, said:

“Our work at CELCIS on educational attainment makes us well aware of the value of establishing trusting relationships through mentoring, and the positive impact this can have on the educational attainment of our looked after children.”