That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the improvements throughout the Falkirk district, which have reportedly delivered a reduction in the poverty related attainment gap; understands that the poverty related attainment gap refers to children from poorer households obtaining lower results than their peers from wealthier families; notes reports that in 2021-22 this attainment gap in Falkirk was measured at 27.15%, while figures for the following year, 2022-23, show a decrease to 17.79%; further notes reports that, while official figures for 2024 will not be available until March 2025, it is expected that there will be a further reduction in this gap; celebrates what it sees as the successful utilisation of the Scottish Government’s Shared Equity Fund, which, it believes, has been used to improve outcomes and focus upon literacy, particularly within schools where there are higher levels of depravation; understands that Falkirk Council now plans to extend this support over the next year to include numeracy outcomes within schools that support a higher concentration of pupils from deprived areas, and believes that, while the attainment gap requires further work to improve equitable outcomes for all of Falkirk’s pupils, this reduction in the poverty related attainment gap must be celebrated as a positive step forward for all.
Supported by:
George Adam, Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Colin Beattie, Stephanie Callaghan, Bob Doris, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Emma Harper, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Ruth Maguire, Audrey Nicoll, Kevin Stewart, Evelyn Tweed