Investment Aimed at Closing the Attainment Gap

A Scottish Government fund aimed at boosting the attainment levels of the most deprived pupils is set to pay out £7.5 million to schools across Edinburgh next year.

More than 2,300 schools across Scotland are set to benefit from the funding – including 122 across Edinburgh. The significant investment gives money directly to headteachers, allowing them to spend the money on local initiatives that will close the poverty-related attainment gap.

Commenting, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands said:

“The SNP has made closing the attainment gap our priority in this parliament – and the latest investment of £7.5 million in our schools and our children across Edinburgh is a key part of that.

“Every child should have the best possible start in life, no matter their background – and the role that schools play in giving children the support they need is absolutely vital.

“That is why it is right that this significant investment to close the poverty-related attainment gap goes straight to headteachers – giving those with the most intimate knowledge of their schools the ability to develop initiatives to benefit children across Edinburgh.

“And with 122 schools locally benefiting from this latest round of funding – following a similar significant investment last year – even more of our children are going to benefit from creative new initiatives that will help to tackle the attainment gap in our schools.”