East Ayrshire schools are to receive £3.34.m in funding under the Scottish Government’s new pupil equity fund.

The £120m fund, which will allow head teachers to spend on their school priorities, follows a battle over earlier plans to give a chunk of council tax directly to schools.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said that teachers had said the fund would ‘transform’ pupils’ lives.

He added: “I have been hearing today how the Scottish Government’s Pupil Equity Funding has the potential to transform the lives of our most disadvantaged children.

“This £120 million funding will be spent at the discretion of teachers and school leaders who are best placed to decide where it will have the most impact.

“Some of the options being discussed include additional teachers to help with numeracy or literacy, out of school activities to widen children’s life experiences, and home link workers to help get children to school.

“We are ring-fencing this funding in 2017/18 in addition to the existing £50 million Attainment Scotland Fund and the strong settlement for local government in our draft budget.

“This represents a significant investment in the future of our young people and demonstrates this Government’s commitment to raise standards for all and make the improvements that are necessary to make Scottish education world-class.”

Schools allocation - Auchinleck PS — £84,000 Barshare Primary — £76,800 Bellsbank Primary — £62,400 Catrine Primary — £26,400 Dalmellington PS — £39,600 Dalrymple Primary — £33,600 Drongan Primary — £81,600 Greenmill Primary — £62,400 Littlemill Primary — £12,000 Logan Primary — £42,000 Mauchline Primary — £58,800 Muirkirk Primary — £39,600 Netherthird Primary School — £85,200 New Cumnock PS — £70,800 Ochiltree Primary — £8,400 Patna Primary — £45,600 Sorn Primary — £6,000 St Patrick’s PS — £32,400 St Xavier’s PS — £9,600

Alan Ward, East Ayrshire Council’s Head of Education said: “Much needs to be done to narrow the attainment gap between pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and those from more affluent areas.
 “Last year, along with eight other local authorities, East Ayrshire received funding to help close the attainment gap.
“News of this additional funding for schools, coupled with a further commitment to tackle the gap, is especially welcome.
 “We’re working harder than ever to give our young people the best possible education in state of the art schools and facilities, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need. This will help the young people to succeed in school, work and in life, no matter what their background is.”