Scottish Attainment Challenge - local stretch aims: 2022 to 2023

Next steps

This is the first year of the Framework for Recovery and Accelerating Progress and the requirement for local authority stretch aims. This Framework will be updated to take account of feedback from local authorities on the process this year and to reflect the changes to the National Improvement Framework, due to be published in mid-December 2022. It will remain subject to change as the National Discussion, Professor Hayward's Independent Review on the future of Qualifications and Assessment and the reform of the SQA and Education Scotland deliver and implement from next year. The Scottish Government will work with Education Scotland and local government to update the Framework for 2023/24, taking on board the learning from this year.

Stretch aims themselves will not necessarily lead to progress on closing the poverty-related attainment gap. Key to progress is the continued focus on the work at school, local, regional and national level to support children and young people, with appropriate approaches, pathways and resources to ensure that they achieve the best possible outcomes from their education.

The Scottish Government and Education Scotland will continue to work in partnership with and support local authorities to make progress towards these aims and deliver on the shared mission to use education to improve outcomes for children and young people impacted by poverty, with a focus on tackling the poverty-related attainment gap over the course of this academic year and beyond. This work is more important than ever given the impact of Covid-19 and the current cost of living crisis on children and young people and their families. Key to this will be the continued investment of £1 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge and Education Scotland's ongoing support and challenge to schools and local authorities through regional teams and its range of professional learning opportunities and published resources.