Attainment Scotland Fund (ASF) evaluation: children and young people's research briefing

Conclusions

This briefing outlines the key findings from research with children and young people undertaken as part of wider case study research providing detailed, qualitative insight into the experiences and perspectives of 14 Scottish schools on the impact of activities supported by the Attainment Scotland Fund (ASF).

Discussions with pupils focused on specific activities they had taken part in, based on information provided by school staff about how ASF funding has been implemented at each school with a view to closing the poverty-related attainment gap.

Feedback from the children and young people who took part in the case study research supports wider findings in terms of the impacts of the support provided and activities they have taken part in as a result of ASF funding. Key impacts noted in the research with pupils included:

• Provision of support with the cost of the school day and access to resources enabling them to be ready to learn: research evidence indicated that all of the case study schools were using the ASF to address financial barriers to education, and ensure equal access to resources, and pupils were aware of how to access such support
• Positive impact of specific study support initiatives on attainment: pupils who had received intensive support received in a dedicated space, and/or specific out-of-hours study support were clear that this had a positive impact on their attainment at school, through encouraging attendance and/or specific academic support
• Positive impacts of nurture and wellbeing spaces on emotional/mental health: there was a strong focus on nurture in the case study schools, including initiatives, approaches and specific spaces/facilities to support emotional regulation and general feelings of wellbeing, and pupils recognised the benefits for them in terms of how they were feeling
• Access to wider opportunities leading to increased confidence and resilience: pupils who had taken part in programmes such as Columba 1400 and other outdoor and team building activities noted impacts in terms of softer skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication etc.
• There was also evidence of children and young people having an awareness of wider school culture and ethos in relation to supporting pupils, e.g. ensuring confidentiality and reducing stigma for those seeking support.