Education Scotland has published its latest National Summary Report, which monitors and evaluates the impact of the ongoing Scottish Attainment Challenge (SAC).

The report is the third and final to be published for the 2023-2024 period and is part of the cycle for reporting on the implementation and delivery of SAC.

This latest edition provides an overview of the progress of all 32 local authorities between April and June 2024.

The theme for this reporting period is the use and impact of the Attainment Scotland Fund, looking at Strategic Equity Funding (SEF), Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) and Care Experienced Children and Young People Fund (CECYPF).

Gillian Hamilton, Chief Executive of Education Scotland said: "This latest National Summary Report highlights the scope of work our attainment advisors have undertaken for the Scottish Attainment Challenge (SAC) and summarises our performance from April to June last year.

“With a focus on the Attainment Scotland Fund, the report evidences strategies for improving equity and outcomes for children and young people who are impacted by poverty, with local authority examples.

“In terms of key messages, we have highlighted eight in this report, including how increased support for Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) planning has resulted in more impactful interventions being rolled out across schools and settings in Scotland.

“There continues to be a strong emphasis on the importance of collaborative approaches and evidence suggests they have had a positive impact on several areas, including sharing practice and curriculum development.”

Among other key messages, the report highlights that the employment and deployment of staff using the Attainment Scotland Fund has had a positive impact on improving outcomes for children and young people.

Most local authorities have developed or prioritised roles for staff to support equity. Posts include quality improvement officers, educational psychologists, family workers, and pupil support staff.

Looking at PEF, most local authorities say they have a variety of supports in place to ensure effective use of the funding, with professional learning highlighted as a key approach.

Many local authorities now have mandatory training for new headteachers in the use of PEF, sessions on the use of data to identify and address poverty-related gaps, and professional enquiry programmes focusing on equity.

Since its launch in 2015, the SAC has brought together education leaders in all sectors across Scotland to work collaboratively to raise attainment and reduce educational inequity across Scotland.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said:

“The Scottish Government is determined to ensure that every child and young person is given an equal chance to succeed and thrive in their studies, regardless of their background. That is why we are investing up to £1 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the course of this Parliamentary term.

“This report outlines why this funding is so vital to the lives of so many children, young people and families up and down the country, and I am grateful to everyone involved in making this positive impact possible.”

Find the full report here: National Summary Report April to June 2024.