Bridging the poverty gap

Pupil equity funding of £9.3 million is being used by Fife schools to bridge the poverty-related attainment gap through various initiatives.

Councillors in north east Fife heard how projects such as breakfast clubs, music therapy and even Lego therapy were being used by the area’s secondary and primary schools.

The Scottish Government money is paid directly to schools for work to improve literacy and numeracy among the most vulnerable young people.

Councillor Donald Lothian, north east Fife area committee chairman, said: “The pupil equity funding allows us to target additional support to identified young people within schools and address the barriers to learning they experience.

“The extra resources will help pupils who may be struggling for reasons beyond their control and will help to put them on a more equal footing with their fellow pupils.

“The committee looks forward to hearing more about the progress of the projects over the coming months as well as regular updates on the interventions in the longer term.”

Action by Bell Baxter High School, Madras College, Waid Academy and their cluster primary schools includes employment of staff including family workers, staff training and distribution of learning packs for pupils to use with their parents. Technology and equipment for pupils with dyslexia has also been purchased and outdoor learning programmes used.