SOUTH Ayrshire schools are sent to receive just under £2.5 million from the Pupil Equity Fund.

Around 50 schools are in line to share £2,413,200 from a £120 million pot to help close the poverty-related attainment gap, which was recently announced by Deputy First Minister, John Swinney.

The money will be spent at the discretion of teachers and school leaders on localised initiatives.

Mr Swinney said: “Every child should have the best possible start in life, no matter their background. Schools have a significant role to play in ensuring every child is given the right support to help them achieve their full potential.

“Our priority is to close the poverty-related attainment gap. This £120 million of Pupil Equity Funding is aimed at doing just that.

“The funding is targeted towards schools who have the highest numbers of pupils receiving free school meals, so that the money is spent on the children who need it most.

“Last year’s allocation is already making a big impact. I have visited a number of schools up and down the country where this funding has empowered teachers to put in place creative new initiatives that are tackling the attainment gap in their schools right now.

“I hope this second round of funding will help schools to build on that progress, supported by our reforms to education that will raise standards for all and put excellence and equity at the heart of Scottish education.”