There is clear evidence growing up in poverty undermines attainment

BETWEEN 2014 and 2017 one in four children in Scotland were officially recognised as living in poverty and forecasts project significant increases by 2020.

There is clear evidence that growing up in poverty undermines children’s attainment.

Preventing the attainment gap by ending child poverty must be the primary goal.

However, there are significant actions that can be taken at school to reduce barriers to learning, relieve pressure on family budgets and help reduce the attainment gap.

Since 2014, our Cost of the School Day project has been working with children, parents and school staff to identify actions which help tackle financial barriers to children’s participation, learning and wellbeing.

From uniform, travel and trips to learning resources, lunch and clubs, we have gathered evidence on the multiple costs that exist at school and the impact on children.

Other priorities should be to minimise opportunities for poverty stigma, reduce the pressures which school costs place on low family incomes and support families to access financial entitlements and maximise their incomes.

We also need to ensure

Pupil Equity Funding is used to remove financial barriers at school for children from low income households.

Children can’t learn when they can’t participate or when they are unhappy.

Action to address school costs helps to clear the way of the barriers which stop some children benefiting from teaching strategies proven to raise attainment.

Inability to participate in the same activities as their peers can leave children feeling different and embarrassed.

Children speak of being keenly aware of income differences and about feeling left out or deliberately self-excluding from opportunities.

Insufficient, unkempt or unfashionable uniform can be picked on by other children.

Non uniform days can place pressure on children to buy new outfits and they noticeably affect attendance.

Children can even be sanctioned for having incorrect uniform or not having resources in the classroom such as loss of Golden Time or detention.

It is vital the Scottish Parliament prioritises action to end poverty.

In the meantime, children from low income households can’t achieve at school if barriers are not addressed.

Cost of the School Day interventions puts money in family pockets and helps schools to remove financial barriers, clearing the way for children to fully participate, learn and achieve.

John Dickie is director of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland.