Tag: schools support

Scotland’s Headteachers highlight impact of attainment funding

Over £1 billion invested to support and improve attainment

Headteachers say the attainment of pupils experiencing poverty has improved, thanks to over £1 billion of direct investment from the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government’s flagship policy has provided headteachers with direct additional funding to help support children and young people. 

Schools have used the extra funding in a variety of different ways. The latest report looking at the impact of Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) found that it has helped schools employ up to 3,000 additional staff to support children and young people’s attainment and wellbeing.

This has included extra staff employed to support families, such as income maximisation officers, as well as support for pupil wellbeing from the third sector. The report also highlights how the targeted investment has supported better attendance, attainment, and relationships between schools, families and pupils. 

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth visited St Ignatius Primary School in Wishaw to hear directly about how the school is using Pupil Equity Funding. 

Ms Gilruth said: “Pupil Equity Funding has played a crucial role in our mission to ensure that children and young people impacted by poverty are given the opportunity to succeed.

“Since launching in 2017, we have invested over £1 billion in the programme, with targeted support now reaching a majority of schools across Scotland. 

“Each school has its own unique challenges when it comes to closing the poverty-related attainment gap, which is why we have put our trust in headteachers to develop solutions which meet the needs of their own pupils.

“I have been very impressed by the creativity shown by teachers – from supporting imagination in writing, to outdoor educational trips to improve confidence, wellbeing and relationships.

“The latest survey report indicates the hugely positive impact that this direct investment is making – with Scotland recording its lowest poverty-related attainment gap on record for literacy in primary schools.

“Pupil Equity Funding is also ensuring that more children and young people impacted by poverty are entering work, training or further study after leaving school.

“We are also taking further steps to tackle child poverty through education, including through funding early learning and childcare, free school meals and the delivery of free breakfast clubs.”

Pupil Equity Funding 2025 Report | Scottish Attainment Challenge | Learning in Scotland | Education Scotland

School Pantry Cupboards directly support children in need

MCKS Charitable Foundation UK provides schools across the country with support for food, toiletries and sanitary products by sending a weekly delivery to stock up their pantry cupboards.  

The charity currently supports 16 schools across the country and aims to increase this to 100 within 12 months.  Each school cupboard supports around 25 families a week and has become a vital life line for children and their families.

The Charity’s Chairman Les Flitcroft says: “Our charity is dedicated to providing caring and compassionate support and our school pantry cupboards provide an efficient way to get food and supplies directly to children who need them most”. 

Westminster UTC School in London who has received care packages from the charity commented: “Genuinely, we are extremely grateful for the support from MCKS Charitable Foundation UK.

“Quite often our students confuse feeling sick with being hungry but we are not always in a position to offer them anything other than water, the cereal bars provided helped them throughout the exam week.

“For many of our pupils who are facing homelessness or challenging financial situations at home, having basic items such as deodorant and shower gel will mean we can practically support our students in a very important yet discreet way with this help”.

Stewards Academy in Harlow, Essex has been receiving weekly food deliveries from the charity for over a year and are extremely grateful for the support: “The help from MCKS Charity this year has helped many at a time of worry, and the support of vouchers, food, sanitary supplies and toiletries has been invaluable to our families.

“We cannot thank the charity enough for their tireless work for our community of Harlow”.

Les added: “As with any charity we rely on donations to keep our services going and we would like to partner with corporate companies who can support the charity to continue this vital support”.

Schools who feel they could benefit from this ongoing service are asked to contact the charity for further information.