PUPILS in Inverclyde are to benefit from a £100,000 cash boost to help them fulfil their potential.

Barnardo’s Scotland has secured the funding in partnership with Inverclyde Council to work in secondary schools across the area.

The cash is part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge Fund – and will help to close the attainment gap by reaching out to families and provide wraparound support.

Lynne O’Brien, the charity’s assistant director for the West of Scotland, speaking at an event in the Beacon Arts Centre, said: “We’re very excited about securing this funding and that we will be working in partnership with Inverclyde Council to reduce the poverty-related attainment gap that exists for children and young people living in our most disadvantaged communities.”

“We understand that the most disadvantaged children and those with social emotional and behavioural difficulties require a nurture system, and at Barnardo’s Scotland we are delighted to be involved in this approach.

“Our goal is that every school within Inverclyde will be a nurturing school, with benefits to the pupils being improved attendance, attainment and well-being.”

Barnardo’s Scotland has taken a unique approach to health and wellbeing, working to embed nurture principles in the classroom which crucially involves parents and young people themselves.

The work is set firmly within the context of Curriculum for Excellence which aims to ensure that all children and young people in Scotland develop the attributes, knowledge and skills they will need to flourish in life, learning and work.