New information to help teachers close attainment gap published online
New information to help teachers close the performance gap between richer and poorer pupils has been published.
New information to help teachers close the performance gap between richer and poorer pupils has been published.
Dozens of examples of programmes in place at specific schools - such as reading groups, healthy breakfast clubs and using apps to get feedback from parents - can be accessed on the Education Scotland website.
More examples, including those based on international evidence, are expected to be added in the near future ahead of the launch of the Scottish Government's ÂŁ120 million pupil equity fund, which gives schools about ÂŁ1,200 for each P1 to S3 pupil eligible for free school meals.
Speaking on a visit to Inzievar Primary School in Fife on Wednesday, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: This government is firmly committed to creating a world-class education system that helps all of our children to succeed.
To help achieve this, we are investing an extra ÂŁ750 million over the next five years to close the attainment gap - including ÂŁ120 million pupil equity funding that will go directly to schools.
Clearly, we want this funding to maximise the chances of each and every young person.
It is, therefore, imperative that we have an evidence-based approach to driving improvement based on what we know will work.
Indeed, this was a key recommendation of the OECD's independent review of Scottish education.
The information now available gives teachers and school leaders access to effective interventions based on practice examples from around Scotland.''
Mr Swinney met pupils who take part in the school's walking bus, where children and staff walk to school on a set route with defined stops to collect pupils.
Inzievar Primary School head teacher Jane Gray said:
We know that in order to do anything to close the attainment gap, we must first have the children in the school and ready to learn.
Our walking bus has been up and running since October and is helping us tackle low attendance and problems with lateness.
By week two, all of the targeted children were on the bus every morning and getting to school on time, and we have found that there are many, many more advantages.''