Education Scotland has published its latest version of Scotland’s Equity Toolkit, an interactive learning resource to improve leadership, learning and teaching to support children and young people, their families and communities impacted by poverty.

Shaped by stakeholders involved in the Scottish Attainment Challenge (SAC), the toolkit can be used to support activities including professional learning, dialogue, and planning and self-evaluation.

Underpinned by existing research, it provides guidance, learning materials and practice examples focused on key themes and approaches central to achieving the refreshed mission of the SAC.

Gillian Hamilton, Interim Chief Executive of Education Scotland said: "Education Scotland is delighted to have launched the latest version of Scotland’s Equity Toolkit and is committed to working with the profession to support educational recovery and reduce variation across Scotland.

"Whether you’re a school leader, teacher, support staff or local authority staff, we urge you to engage with the toolkit and we hope that it will support your work in trying to improve in improving outcomes for children and young people impacted by poverty.

"Some key sections to look out for include how schools can plan for effective use of Pupil Equity Funding (PEF), how to support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing and how to best involve children and young people in decision making around SAC funding."

Made up of several sections focusing on the themes central to achieving SAC, the resource will sit on the National Improvement Hub section on Education Scotland’s website.

Scotland’s Equity Toolkit is an accessible and adaptable resource for local and sectoral needs and aims to ensure parity of core messages and approaches to focus on closing the poverty related attainment gap, whilst raising attainment for all to improve outcomes for children and young people impacted by poverty.