Councils taking steps to narrow attainment gap

Resources to support learning will be targeted at disadvantaged children in Fife and Dundee – but there is ‘no quick fix’

Education recovery plans to support children most likely to have fallen behind in learning during lockdown have been mapped out.

Closure of schools due to the coronavirus pandemic is reckoned to have slowed progress being made in closing the attainment gap between the rich and poor, with those in more deprived areas less able to engage with home learning.

Both Dundee City Council and Fife Council have set out their intention to target help for disadvantaged youngsters worst affected by the loss of weeks of direct teaching.

Fife reported a “significant closing” of the attainment gap during the earlier part of 2019-20 in some areas in secondary schools, but that progress has slowed in literacy and numeracy in primary schools and at National 5 level.

There was also evidence of “increasing child poverty in the already poorest neighbourhoods”, the local authority said.

Councillor James Calder, Liberal Democrat education spokesman for the region, said: “We need to ensure that all pupils have the same opportunities and unfortunately this gap in opportunity still remains locally.”

In a report to councillors, Fife Council’s education and children’s services executive director Carrie Lindsay said part of the focus of an action plan drawn up was closing the attainment gap for children living in socially disadvantaged areas.

She said: “Key challenges, like closing the equity gap in outcomes for children living in poverty, remain as important as ever, if not more so.”

A review of resource allocation for schools is to be conducted to ensure support where it is most needed, and IT devices and connectivity solutions funded by the Scottish Government will go to those with no or limited internet access for home learning.

Dundee councillors will be told on Monday of work to reduce the attainment gap in the city’s schools.

Theywillbetoldof“improvingtrends” but that the impact of coronavirus and cancellation of exams will make it difficult to draw comparisons with previous years.

Children and families services convener Councillor Stewart Hunter said: “We want to improve outcomes for these children and young people, but there are no quick fixes or easy solutions.”

A report to Dundee’s children and families services committee outlines how increased access to the online Sumdog games resource is helping primary school children improve numeracy skills, and how learning support funding is being provided to secondary schools for looked-after and care-experienced young people.

Councillor James Calder, Fife Liberal Democrat education spokesman.