EDUCATION staff are celebrating after Renfrewshire Council became the first in Scotland to be rated ‘excellent’ for its progress in the sector.

Education Scotland found significant year-on-year improvements in pupils’ listening, talking, reading, writing and numeracy, with the attainment gap closing across all measures.

Renfrewshire is one of nine ‘challenging authorities’ in the Scottish Government-funded Scottish Attainment Challenge, designed to close the attainment gap between those in the country’s least and most deprived areas.

The report praised the ‘very successful’ approach which has seen support extended across all 62 primary, secondary and additional support needs schools in the area, where 27 per cent of pupils live in Scotland’s most deprived areas.

Councillor Jim Paterson, education convener, said: “This is an exceptional endorsement from Education Scotland and testament to the innovative way Renfrewshire is raising the attainment for all children and young people, while also closing the poverty-related attainment gap. We are delighted significant progress has been shown.”

John Swinney, deputy first minister, added: “I would like to congratulate Renfrewshire Council on becoming the first local authority in Scotland to be rated ‘excellent’ for their progress in closing the poverty-related attainment gap. It is clear that the close collaboration between their dedicated and empowered workforce and their wider school communities is having a significant and positive impact.

The Gazette: John Swinney John Swinney

“These results are extremely encouraging and I look forward to seeing how the local authority builds on this momentum to truly ensure that every child in Renfrewshire is given the best possible start in life, no matter their background.”