Commenting on the announcement from Education Secretary John Swinney that the Attainment Challenge is to be expanded, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the fastest growing teachers’ union in Scotland, said:

“Closing the attainment gap and ensuring that all children and young people, whatever their background, have an equal chance to succeed is one of the most important challenges facing education, therefore, the news that the Attainment Challenge is to be expanded is welcome.

“However, NASUWT members have been raising increasing concerns about the impact of school budget constraints on their ability to do their best for all of the children and young people they teach. They have been reporting cuts to staffing and resources and the introduction in some areas of charges for certain aspects of the curriculum.

“These cuts are hitting the most deprived pupils hardest and without increased investment in schools risk undermining the laudable aims of the Attainment Challenge.”

Jane Peckham, NASUWT National Official Scotland, said:

“In expanding the initiative it will be critical that schools are not left to tackle the complex challenges facing children and young people from deprived backgrounds alone. A multi-agency approach in which schools are supported by other agencies to help address these issues must be at the heart of the Challenge as it moves forward."