University tutors to provide help for those who need it
most.
Tutoring staff from two Scottish universities will be working in
classrooms across the country to help engage children and young
people in their studies and improve attainment.
Aimed at those impacted most by poverty, the innovative approach
will see almost 500 pupils receive extra tutoring support from
Queen Margaret University and the University of Glasgow this
academic year.
The programme was initially launched as an intervention to
provide support for young people who were most affected by the
Covid-19 school closures.
This next step, supported by £90,000 from the Scottish
Government, will now see the initiative extended to a wider group
of young people. This will include specialist one-to-one tuition
for pupils, delivered online and in person, with the aim of
helping them secure a place in university, training or further
study.
The announcement comes as a new survey of almost 1,000 school
staff found three-quarters felt the poverty-related attainment
gap has narrowed because of the Scottish Government's flagship
Scottish Attainment Challenge (SAC). The programme has now been
running for a decade with up to £1.75 billion being invested.
Speaking on a visit to Newbattle High School in Midlothian, which
is taking part in the tutoring scheme, Higher and Further
Education Minister said:
“Children and young people's background and upbring must never be
a barrier to success in education. The Scottish Government is
determined to create an even playing field for all, both in
schools and in securing places in higher education.
“The work that is being taken forward by the Queen Margaret and
Glasgow universities is ensuring that more pupils impacted by
poverty are engaged and supported with their studies. This will
help them to maximise their potential and go on to a positive
future.
“This is an excellent example of innovation in Scottish
education, which compliments the work of our Scottish Attainment
Challenge. Through this and other measures, we are doing all we
can to eradicate child poverty; our schools are playing a key
role in achieving that ambition – from delivering free school
meals and clothing banks to after-school study clubs and this
tutoring programme.”
Principal of Queen Margaret University, Sir Paul Grice, said: “We
are delighted to see this powerful package of support being put
in place, based on our pioneering, and award winning, tutoring
project, which was developed by QMU and East Lothian Council
during the pandemic with funding from the STV Children's Appeal
and local supporters.
“Over the last five years, this tried and tested model has helped
thousands of senior school pupils in East and Midlothian keep up
or re-engage with learning, so they are supported to reach their
potential in life. By recognising the impact of this important
project and supporting its expansion, the Scottish Government is
ensuring young people get the extra help they require to succeed
during a crucial stage in their learning journey, which will
ultimately shape their future life outcomes.”
Professor Rachel Sandison, Deputy Vice Chancellor, External
Engagement, at the University of Glasgow, said: "Education has
the power to transform lives, and it is vital that every young
person has the chance to thrive, no matter their circumstances.
"By working with schools across Scotland, the University of
Glasgow is helping to break down barriers to learning and give
pupils the extra support they need to succeed in the classroom
and beyond. We are delighted to see this programme grow and to
play our part in tackling the attainment gap.”
Background
Read the School Survey Report
2025 and the Interim Evaluation Report
2025 on the Attainment Scotland Fund.
Queen Margaret University's Enhanced Learning Tutoring Initiative
(ELTI) launched in 2020. The University of Glasgow's Senior Phase
Tutoring Programme Pilot (SPTPP) launched in 2021.
In addition to support from the tutoring programme, Newbattle
High School receives £184,975 Pupil Equity Funding each year with
this investment supporting a long-standing partnership with a
youth work organisation, Y2K, a Home School Practitioner, a
Principal Teacher attainment Officer and an Outreach and a
Nurturing officer.
