Efforts to close the attainment gap in Scottish education have been strengthened following the launch of a programme involving 57 schools across 14 local authorities.

Education Secretary Angela Constance today welcomed the launch of the Attainment Scotland Fund Schools Programme at a gathering of school representatives in Dunfermline.

The Schools Programme will support the identified primary schools to accelerate the good work already taking place to improve outcomes in literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing for pupils living in deprived areas.

Ms Constance said:

“This year, Scotland’s young people gained a record number of Higher and Advanced Higher passes, while a record high number of young people left school for positive destinations such as a college place, job or a Modern Apprenticeship.

“We must build on our success, to ensure that every child and young person, regardless of their background, gets every chance to succeed at school and in life. That’s why our new Scottish Attainment Challenge is so important.

“The £100 million Attainment Scotland Fund will be invested over this and the next three years. We have already targeted £11.7 million at the seven local authorities with the largest concentrations of primary age children living in households in the Scotland’s most deprived areas.

“As the First Minister recently announced, we are now extending the reach of the Attainment Scotland Fund to an additional 57 schools across 14 local authority areas.

“These 57 schools have a huge role to play in supporting disadvantaged pupils, too many of whom struggle and continue to fall behind their peers in primary school. Today’s event is a great chance for these schools to further develop the plans they will put in place to help pupils who could benefit from more intensive support. They will also play a key role in helping to spread good practice across Scotland based on what is happening locally.

“The Scottish Attainment Challenge is building on the good work already underway in schools, with additional dedicated support from Attainment Advisors and a National Improvement Hub that will provide access to the best evidence and research on raising attainment.”