Homework, maths and extra play time on wish list for kids

More play times, more school trips, more topics and somewhat surprisingly, more maths and homework were some of the suggestions from pupils when Cabinet Secretary for Education Jenny Gilruth visited St Ignatius' Primary.

- MICHAEL PRINGLE

The MSP, a former teacher herself, met with pupils, staff and parents at the primary school in Wishaw to see and hear first-hand how the Scottish Government's Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) is benefitting children in the community.

The visit coincided with the publication of a report on PEF highlighting the direct investment of over £1 billion from the Scottish Government.

First introduced by the Scottish Government a decade ago, PEF has the specific aim of closing the poverty-related attainment gap between children from the most and least deprived communities.

The extra funding can range from £1225 to £350,00 a year per school, and is being used to drive improvements in attendance and engagement.

Around 97 per cent of schools receive some PEF which is directly allocated to schools, who then have the autonomy to use it in a manner best suited to their specific needs.

St Ignatius invested the funding in developing a bespoke tracking system, which allows the school to target tailored interventions such as Forest clubs.

There were dozens of raised hands, and a few surprising answers, when the Education Minister asked pupils at morning assembly what they would like to see more of in school.