16 August 2016

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met staff and pupils at Burnfoot Community School in Hawick on the first day of the new school term, where she reiterated the Government’s commitment to closing the attainment gap in schools.

FM @NicolaSturgeon visits Burnfoot Community School on the first day of the new school termhttps://t.co/XIv8bBkoC0

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) August 16, 2016

Ms Sturgeon announced the next allocation of £2.8 million from the Attainment Challenge Primary Schools Programme to 46 primaries across Scotland where significant numbers of pupils live in deprived areas. This is part of the £750 million that the Scottish Government intends to invest in the Attainment Scotland Fund over the course of the parliament.

The First Minister said:

“I am determined that every child must have the same opportunities and an equal chance to succeed. That’s why our top priority is raising attainment overall and closing the gap in achievement between young people in our most and least deprived areas… At Burnfoot, there has been a significant focus on family support, family learning programmes and links with the wider community.

“Thousands of pupils have already benefited from the Attainment Scotland Fund in the last year and a further £2.8 million for primary schools this year will increase the pace of change.”

High five for @NicolaSturgeon as she announces funding to raise educational attainment in deprived areas pic.twitter.com/SxEwYhkyyI

— Press Association (@PA) August 16, 2016