LOCAL schools have been given a £1.8m cash injection to improve standards by the Scottish government, to improve standards.

It has been revealed that 59 primaries and nine secondaries across the region will benefit from £1,840,800, which will come from the £120 million Pupil Equity Fund.

Peebles High will pick up £56,400, Galashiels Academy will scoop £69,600, Earlston High will get £54,000 and Selkirk High will take £36,000 as part of the plans.

Local MSP Christine Grahame said: “Every child in Scotland should have the best possible start in life, and it is unacceptable for children from the poorest backgrounds to have their chances limited by circumstances outside their control.

“This funding is an important step in tackling the inter-generational cycle of deprivation in our schools.”

It will also be up to headteachers and school leaders to decide where the money is spent.

During the announcement, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “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.”

And Scottish Borders Council bosses have also welcomed the announcement.

A spokesperson for SBC said: “We welcome the announcement that pupils from across the Scottish Borders are due to benefit from £1,840,800 of Scottish government funding which will be used by our headteachers as part of their ongoing commitment to raising attainment for pupils.

“They are currently engaging with Scottish government and the council to agree how the money will be used from April onwards, with each school required to submit a plan to the Scottish government for approval.

“We anticipate that each school will use the money in quite different ways, depending on the needs of their individual pupils.”

Where the money is going...

Primary schools:
Ayton £10,800; Balmoral £22,800; Broomlands £30,000; Broughton £6,000; Burgh £33,600; Burnfoot £130,800; Chirnside £37,200; Clovenfords £6,000; Coldingham £8,400; Coldstream £36,000; Denholm £8,400; Drumlanrig St Cuthbert’s £39,600; Duns £45,600; Earlston £18,000; Edenside £72,000; Eyemouth £90,000; Glendinning Terrace £8,400; Gordon £6,000; Greenlaw £20,400; Halyrude £15,600; Howdenburn £33,600; Kingsland £48,000; Knowepark £34,800; Langlee £105,600; Lauder £25,200; Lilliesleaf £6,000; Melrose £21,600; Morebattle £6,000; Newcastleton £13,200; Newtown £9,600; Parkside £36,000; Philiphaugh £44,400; Priorsford £28,800; Reston £13,200; St Boswells £15,600; St Margaret’s RC (Gala) £13,200; St Peter’s £33,600; St Ronan’s £25,200; Stirches £18,000; Swinton £12,000; Trinity £33,600; Tweedbank £24,000; West Linton £9,600; Wilton £58,800; Yetholm £14,400.

Secondary schools:
Berwickshire High School £50,400; Earlston High School £54,000; Eyemouth High School £48,000; Galashiels Academy £69,600; Hawick High School £86,400; Jedburgh Grammar School £27,600; Kelso High School £39,600; Peebles High School £56,400; Selkirk High School £36,000.