Northern Alliance seeks pupils' views on attainment gap
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE voices of Moray's youngsters will be sought as part of a probe into achieving equity in education.
The Northern Alliance – an educational improvement collaborative between eight local authorities – has launched a project which aims to shape what’s done to tackle the poverty-related attainment gap.
Named Our Voice, it will capture the opinions of young people with experience of poverty.
Teachers and practitioners from Moray, as well as the other Northern Alliance authorities, are being offered the chance to work with officers leading the project.
That will include online workshops to raise awareness about poverty-related issues and the chance to reflect on the barriers to learning child poverty creates. Participants will then be equipped with skills to have sensitive conversations with young people to capture their thoughts on poverty.
Jo Kirby, who is seconded from Moray Council to lead the project, said: "Our thinking is that the insight we gain from young people will be used to inform how schools in an empowered system can work with partners, industry and the wider community to explore how the barriers created by poverty can be overcome."
Scott Calder from Aberdeenshire Council,who is working alongside her, added: "It's a collaborative project aimed at reducing the barriers to learning that child poverty causes.
"Social isolation and exclusion are considerable issues for those experiencing poverty leading to low aspiration, little social mobility and less favourable outcomes post education. But it’s important we understand more about why, directly from those who are experiencing it, who can then also potentially help us to identify the best solutions."
In time, it is hoped the outcomes will inform how Pupil Equity Funding should be spent.
The Alliance's lead officer Helen Budge added: "We’re really passionate about finding new and innovative ways to improve the life chances of children and young people, and ensuring equality of opportunity is a huge part of this.
"All our bairns, regardless of where they live or how much money their family has, should be given the same chances to flourish."
Teachers and practitioners keen to find out more about taking part should email jo.kirby@moray.gov.uk or scott.calder@aberdeenshire.gov.uk by Friday, March 20.
Joining Moray in the Northern Alliance are Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Argyll and Bute, Comhairle Eilean Siar [Western Isles], Highland, Moray, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands councils.
*Click here for more Moray news
