Category

• Fully Validated Effective Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Mitigation
• Awareness

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Poverty driver

• Non-driver - improving quality of life

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Keywords

• Child Poverty
• Poverty awareness
• Stigma
• Cost of the School Day
• Attainment Gap

Aim

To increase awareness and understanding of child poverty and how it impacts on student equity amongst key educational stakeholders e.g., school leaders, teachers, parents and young people.

Encourage schools to implement ‘poverty proofing’ practices which mitigate the impact of child poverty on educational attainment

Reduce poverty related stigma for young people and their families.

Summary

The ‘1 in 5’ project was set up in response to the 20% child poverty rate in Edinburgh and aimed to improve understanding of the causes and impact of child poverty. The project provided insight into changes which schools could implement to support children from low-income families, especially in terms of reducing school-related costs. Engaging schools, pupils, staff and parents, the ‘1 in 5’ project included six pilot schools in which various activities such as awareness raising sessions, focus groups and competitions were held. A ‘Top Tips’ leaflet was produced from the recommendations which emerged from the engagement.

What difference does it make?

The ‘1 in 5’ project has increased understanding of the scale and impacts of child poverty in Edinburgh, challenging the previous idea of child poverty as something that affects only some wards and not all. From the consultations, a ‘Top Tips’ leaflet was produced, making recommendations to schools on how to change their practices to make them more inclusive. The initiative has now been rolled out in virtually all schools in the City of Edinburgh Council area. Schools have reported making changes to their policies on uniforms, school trips, activities, homework, food and snacks, as a result of engaging with ‘1 in 5’.

Key take-aways

• The project has increased awareness amongst educators about how children are impacted by poverty and how poverty can affect their learning and educational outcomes.
• The consultations have generated quick, easy and effective ‘top tips’ for schools to change their practices. Many of the changes cost nothing and are easy to implement.
• 1 in 5’ is limited in its capacity to mandate universal change. Some schools have been quick to implement changes while others have been slower to implement practice.

 

Organisations

City of Edinburgh Council

Location

City of Edinburgh Council area

Pilot launched 2015.

Contact