By Alan Richardson

BLAIRGOWRIE HIGH School will receive the full sum due under the Schools of Ambition scheme, it was confirmed yesterday.

There was dismay earlier this week when the Scottish Government announced it was ending the scheme, which saw previously under-achieving schools receive an annual £100,000 payout.

The head teacher of the school had direct control over how the money was spent. In Blairgowrie’s case it was to fund vocational courses in hospitality and catering.

Local MSP and government finance minister John Swinney said the school will have full funding delivered.

He said, “The full commitments given to the scheme set up by the previous Executive are being met and honoured.

“It was always the case that this would be a temporary project and the government makes clear we will deliver that support.

“The Schools of Ambition programme only supports 52 schools in Scotland, which is only 12% of all our secondary schools.

“Despite this, funding from the government of £11.5 million will continue throughout this spending review.”

The scheme, set up in 2005, has also foundered through a lack of expected private input from Scottish philanthropists, Mr Swinney said.

“The SNP has invested almost £1 million more in Schools of Ambition than the previous administration and although the scheme should have attracted private sector investment other than Tom and Euan Hunter, this has not happened.

“The Scottish Government is committed to improving the education of every single child in Scotland. We need to spread ambition through all our schools, and that is what we will concentrate on when the Schools of Ambition project is complete.

“Children come to school from a wide variety of backgrounds and they all deserve the best possible education to meet their individual needs and achieve their potential.

“All stakeholders will learn the lessons of these projects and help put them into practice across all secondary schools so that all schools have the same ambition and excellence.

“Two national conferences will take place in June to begin spreading the lessons learnt in the Schools of Ambition to other schools.

“We must not unnecessarily alarm those involved in the Schools of Ambition programme. I believe that we have made clear our commitment to improving education for the benefit of every child in Scotland.”

When news of the scheme’s end broke on Wednesday, Blairgowrie Tory councillor Caroline Shiers said, “I know that this money has been well used in the high school and has helped to raise standards in attainment.

“The removal of this funding will directly affect some of the work being done.”

Blairgowrie High was chosen as a School of Ambition to help turn its fortunes around.