Funding to support pupils in Scotland impacted by poverty
The Scottish Government has announced new funding from the Scottish Attainment Challenge, which will go 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 £1.75 billion Scottish Attainment Challenge 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 said: “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.”
Read moreLatest News
13/03/2026 - 09:49
The government has developed a child-friendly version of its Child Poverty Strategy, which can be used by teachers to have important conversations with children about the challenges facing families in poverty.
13/03/2026 - 09:30
An extra £40.5 million of funding has been allocated to support essential capital repairs and maintenance across schools, colleges and universities in Wales.
12/03/2026 - 10:03
Education Business LIVE 2026 will feature a session from NASBTT on how teacher training programmes can build trainees’ knowledge, attitudes and essential soft skills.
12/03/2026 - 09:48
An Ofsted report finds the challenges schools face in supporting children in care are mainly due to inconsistencies in local authority practice, unclear national expectations, and a lack of training for staff.
11/03/2026 - 14:00
The new measures will help universities meet their Prevent Duty, while the Office for Students will strengthen how it monitors whether universities are meeting Prevent responsibilities.
