More from deprived areas get uni places

Last month saw new students arrive for the very first time to universities and colleges up and down the country.

What makes this year so significant is that more students from deprived areas have gained a place in one of Scotland’s universities than ever before.

More than 4000 people from the 20 per cent most deprived areas of our country secured a place at university this year, a 20 per cent rise from 2015.

On top of this, the total number of Scottish students securing a place at a Scottish university hit a new record of 27,830.

University tuition is free in Scotland but historically people from poorer backgrounds have not benefited from this opportunity.

This year’s figures mark the SNP Scottish Government’s latest progress in widened access to university education.

There remains much work to be done to break down barriers between rich and poor in terms of university education, but it is clear that, as a nation, our whole system of education is taking great strides towards becoming better and fairer.

Last year, I stood for re-election as Stirling’s MSP and part of my platform was to close the attainment gap in schools.

Access to university education is just one part of this. Today, record numbers of pupils in our schools achieve Higher grades and go on to positive destinations, including further and higher education and apprenticeships.

For the current financial year, 38 primary schools, seven secondary schools and one special school have collectively received £1.4 million of Scottish Government funding for headteachers to spend as they see fit in order to help to close this gap.

This benefits from poorer backgrounds, improving their life chances and helping them get the most out of their educational entitlement.

This forms part of a broader policy from the Scottish Government to put more power into the hands of schools to help pupils from the poorest backgrounds.

I was glad to note that in the Stirling Constituency, the number of S4 pupils achieving at least five National 5 qualifications has increased since last year, the number of S5 pupils achieving five or more Highers too has increased, and the results of S6 exams are the highest on record.

This is a huge testament to the teachers and education staff who have worked tirelessly to contribute to the best possible start in life for our children and young people – as well as the hard work pupils and their parents have put in!

This work is evidenced by two most recent inspections reports from local schools.

Points raised by HMIE inspectors included: pupils being motivated and engaged in their learning and having a positive attitude towards reading; the promotion of the values of respect, compassion and kindness; and outstanding provision made for children with autism.

Riverside Primary School and Cornton Nursery both scored either “very good” or “excellent” in all categories of assessment – meaning that our local schools join others at the top of the class nationally.

At the SNP Conference earlier this month, Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced a new bursary scheme for career changers to train in teaching.

Those looking to make the switch for priority STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) subjects will be eligible for a £20,00 bursary whilst they undergo teacher training – helping to make the career switch easier.

This is a welcome announcement that will help Scotland invest in the future of our education system at a time that so much work is being done to ensure that every child gets the same fair start in life.