YOUNGSTERS who need help with reading and maths will be appointed Attainment Advisors under a new scheme.
Education Scotland has started a recruitment campaign to employ individuals to improve standards across all local authorities.
Backed by a £100m fund, the Attainment Challenge aims to raise the prospects of children and young people, particularly those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.
Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “While there is much to be proud of in our education system, the recent literacy survey results demonstrate why we must re-double our efforts to ensure that every child can succeed in school and so gain the skills they need for life.
“This Government has already made clear that tackling the attainment gap is a key priority. We are taking forward a range of activities to do that and Attainment Advisors will have an important role to play in improving standards across local authorities.”
Improvement
Bill Maxwell, Chief Executive of Education Scotland said: “We are looking for individuals with a strong background in improvement. We will provide the right candidates with an extensive professional learning programme in evidenced-based approaches and methodologies for driving local improvement.
“In return they will be expected to play a strong role in linking the work of Education Scotland, the Scottish Government and local authorities, supporting a range of strategies and initiatives to improve attainment.
“There will be a strong focus on improving educational outcomes for children and young people from the most disadvantaged social backgrounds in order to close the attainment gap that currently exists across the country.
Disadvantaged
“I would encourage enthusiastic and highly motivated senior leaders with a strong track record in improvement to apply for this role. Whilst challenging, this is an excellent and exciting opportunity to make a direct contribution to promoting improvement in Scottish education and, through that, changing the life chances of our most disadvantaged young people.”
The new team of Attainment Advisors will be based in a locality and will work collaboratively alongside local authority staff and partners to reach into every learning community in Scotland to build capacity in schools.
Attainment Advisors will help inform national work and promote innovation and spread good practice across Scotland providing young people with the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
A number of different working patterns are being offered for these positions and the closing date for applications is midnight on Monday 1st June 2015.
