The international partnership includes researchers from University of Strathclyde Fraser of Allander Institute, the CivicDataLab, and additional support from Glasgow Caledonian University and East Neuk Analytics.

Addressing the poverty-related attainment gap is a huge challenge for schools and services across Scotland and globally. It is appreciated there are many factors out with the school day which impact on this. All local authorities hold information that paints a picture of the challenges families face and the numbers of children and young people living in poverty.

The project has been working closely with education practitioners to understand what data currently exists, how these datasets may link with one another and, crucially, how this may help inform issues associated with poverty and deprivation.

The project has also completed an in-depth analysis of the tools currently available to teachers to understand what is needed to enable practitioners to make better decisions with the data that is available to them. The work provided an overview of existing features, their capabilities and limitations, and provided insight into potential alternative solutions.     

The Data for Children Collaborative is a unique partnership between UNICEF, The Scottish Government and the University of Edinburgh, hosted by Edinburgh Futures Institute. Their goal is to leverage expertise from partner organisations in order to address existing problems for children using innovative data science techniques.

Northern Alliance Research Assistant Grant Murray explained:

Northern Alliance Lead Officer for Raising Attainment and Closing the Gap Jo Kirby said:

“More relevant data in a local context will serve to improve the system so that those working in schools can better understand and facilitate equity and progression in the classroom for all our learners, regardless of the barriers they may face.”

Alex Hutchison, Director of the Data for Children Collaborative added:

“This project highlights the power of academia, private sector and public sector working together, and how each of those areas brings different strengths to look at a problem in a new way.”

Laurence Findlay, Regional Improvement Lead for the Northern Alliance and Director of Education & Children’s Services for Aberdeenshire Council thinks the analysis of data will help to inform approaches at a local level.

The outputs from the first phase of work can be found below:

The Northern Alliance are currently reviewing proposals for the second phase of works, which will aim to take a deeper look at the data identified, and build meaningful measures for education practitioners to use.

Find out more about the Impact Collaboration project here: Understanding Poverty and Attainment Across the Northern Alliance Region of Scotland — Data for Children Collaborative with UNICEF

For more information about the work of the Northern Alliance, including a raft of new professional learning opportunities, visit: https://northernalliance.scot/

The Northern Alliance:

The Northern Alliance strives to improve outcomes for children and young across Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Argyll and Bute, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Highland, Moray, Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands. Practitioners from all eight local authorities work together collaboratively to share best practice, engage in professional learning opportunities and learn and grow together. A small team of seconded officers facilitate engagement and learning, working with colleagues to create the right conditions for improvement to happen. This journey begins by working alongside local authority colleagues to build and grow networks which focus on areas of priority relevant to practitioners within the Northern Alliance.

Fraser of Allander Institute:

The Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI) at the University of Strathclyde is a leading economic research institute which carries out impactful research to inform the big challenges and opportunities facing the nations of the UK.

CivicDataLab:

CivicDataLab is a research lab working on the intersection use data, tech, design and social science to strengthen the course of civic engagements in India. They work to harness the potential of open knowledge movements and better enable citizens to engage in matters of public reform. The aim to grow data and tech literacy of governments, non-profits, think-tanks, media houses, universities, and more to enable data-driven decision making at scale.

East Neuk Analytics:

East Neuk Analytics supports headteachers to improve their data literacy through training and bespoke tools for their schools. By supporting teachers to improve their confidence in their data led decision-making, it gives them more time to spend with the children and young people in their school.

Glasgow Caledonian University:

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) is a vibrant, innovative and multi-award winning University for the Common Good. Their aim is to contribute to society in a manner that embraces yet goes beyond the traditional role of a university. GCU’s For the Common Good commitment is brought to life through their strategy and by the actions of staff, students and alumni around the world.