Supporting pupils impacted by poverty

£43 million to tackle attainment gap.

Pupils impacted by poverty will receive further support to succeed in their studies through a continued £43 million investment this year.

The Scottish Government funding will be distributed to local councils for strategic approaches to closing the poverty-related attainment gap. This will provide support to schools through the recruitment of additional teachers, support staff and family link workers, as well as enhanced professional learning for teachers and school leaders.

The funding is part of the £1.75 billion Scottish Attainment Challenge which has been running for the past decade and forms a key part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of background.

The funding announcement coincides with a newly-published report highlighting how the Scottish Government’s work to close the poverty-related attainment gap is having a positive impact on children and young people’s education and overall wellbeing.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth announced the funding at the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) conference today. 

Closing the poverty-related attainment gap is a vital part in our commitment to eradicate child poverty at Scotland. When more children are given a chance to succeed through education, the more we accelerate our progress in reaching this goal.

The report published today demonstrates how our ongoing investment continues to deliver for Scotland’s schools – it demonstrates that pupils are going to school feeling confident and enjoying their studies. That has been achieved by empowering headteachers to deliver bespoke solutions that meet children and young people’s needs.

The latest exam data also shows us that this is translating into results, with the deprivation gap narrowing at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level over the past year. It is important that we continue to build on this progress, and the funding announced today will do exactly that.

– MS GILRUTH

Background

The £43 million is being provided this year through the Strategic Equity Fund.

The Attainment Scotland Fund Evaluation Case Study Research has today been published alongside a Children and Young People’s Research Briefing.

The 2025 Pupil Equity Funding Report sets out how Pupil Equity Funding is improving outcomes for children and young people impacted by poverty.