St Louise Primary School is a Roman Catholic co-educational school in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire. The current role of the school is 174 children, organised into seven classes. Most children live in Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation deciles 4 to 8.

The improvement issue

Staff wanted to develop a clear understanding of what barriers to learning, children and families were facing so that they could focus more on equity and targeting resources effectively.

What the setting did

The school leadership team consulted children, staff and parents/carers about ‘participatory budget’. A ‘participatory budget’ ensures that funding is spent on areas that will benefit learners, removing barriers to learning and promoting equity for all.

Consulting on the ‘cost of the school day’ also helped staff to develop a position statement to address the main areas that families report can have a negative impact on their school experiences. As a result, the school now provides learning resources, Information Technology (IT) lending service, free trips, events, clubs, and signposting to financial supports.

Senior leaders discuss the school’s equity journey with the Parent Council on an ongoing basis. They provide updates regarding current funding, targeted interventions, resources and approaches to support the most disadvantaged learners. The Parent Council fundraise for school activities and events.

Staff analyse attainment data and use their findings to implement a range of approaches and interventions that best meet the needs of children. These interventions include digital programmes, supported study sessions, and one-to-one and group sessions with staff.

Over time, senior leaders have invested extensively in the schools IT provision. Children are able to use software applications on devices and hardware that are having a positive impact on reducing their barriers to learning. The use of digital technology supports children with additional support needs and opens learning up to pupils who were previously disengaged.

Early intervention strategies ensure children who are not on track with their learning receive targeted interventions specific to their needs. This supports a ‘best possible start’ approach for identified children. This is further enhanced with a range of supported learning opportunities across the school, which include ‘Find out Friday’ sessions, family learning and supported study opportunities.

What the sustained impact has been

Senior leaders have worked with pupils, parents/carers and staff to develop strategies and procedures for gathering the information it needs to support learners academically and with their personal wellbeing.

Staff have improved the school’s approaches to key areas such as early intervention, access to IT provision and family learning. All children now have access to appropriate IT provision that supports learning at home and in school.

Senior leaders have developed and implemented a whole-school nurture and attachment approach that has improved children’s ‘readiness to learn’. Almost all children now settle and engage well in their learning experiences. Attainment has risen steadily: almost all children are reaching their expected levels of attainment in literacy and most in numeracy.

Parents and carers report that engagement in family learning, supported study and homework clubs are positive opportunities that contribute to children’s attainment and improved health and wellbeing. Attendance has also improved for a few children whose attendance was giving staff cause for concern.