HIGH schools in Inverclyde will share a £540,000 investment designed to close the gap in attainment.

All six of the area’s secondaries will benefit from a Scottish Government cash boost to help improve pupils’ learning and exam results.

The money is part of an £11.5m funding package announced by deputy first minister John Swinney that will benefit over 100 schools, including Inverclyde Academy, Notre Dame, pictured, Port Glasgow High, St Stephen’s, St Columba’s High and Clydeview.

Inverclyde Council SNP group leader Chris McEleny welcomed the funding boost.

He said: “This is good news for all of Inverclyde.

“The Scottish Government have made tackling the educational attainment gap a priority.

“Poverty is of course a key factor and we must continue to work towards tackling the fact that Inverclyde has one in four children living in poverty. 

“Reducing the attainment gap gives every child in Inverclyde a better chance to progress in life.

“I am delighted the government have prioritised this and are supporting Inverclyde.”

Ministers hope the funding will help improve literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing.

Mr Swinney said: “I am firmly committed to substantially closing the gap in the attainment of pupils from our most and least deprived areas during the lifetime of this parliament.

“The funding we are allocating to secondary schools is part of the additional £750 million we will make available to support schools to close the attainment gap over the same period.

“This builds on our existing work with hundreds of primary schools to ensure no child or young person in Scotland is held back because of their background.”