School skill kits aim to close equity gap

A SCOTTISH Government literacy and numeracy campaign has been extended to older primary school pupils.

Read, Write, Count kits containing books, writing aids and items such as dice and playing cards to help with maths skills, will be handed out to children in P4 to P7.

The campaign, launched in 2015 for children in P1 to P3, is aimed at encouraging parents to incorporate reading, writing and maths into everyday activities to help strengthen children’s literacy and numeracy.

Announcing the expansion during a visit to Inch View Primary School in Perth,

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:

“We know the positive impact parental involvement and engagement has on children’s achievement, which is why it plays such a prominent role in our national plans to improve attainment and close the equity gap.”

The kits were developed by the Scottish Book Trust and Education Scotland. A CAMPAIGN to combat obesity has been launched in Edinburgh.

The Inch By Inch For Scotland drive includes weekly short exercise videos and healthy recipes based on ingredients from convenience stores that can be cooked in the microwave.

Run by Assist FM, the association for facilities management providers across all Scottish councils, the campaign will include challenges aimed at people in the most deprived areas,