Renfrewshire’s Provost is to visit Paisley’s twin town of Fürth in Germany to share views on how to tackle the impact of poverty on the education of young people.

The purpose of the visit is to study Fürth’s educational practices, in particular the steps being taken to address the impact that living in poverty can have on educational attainment.

Renfrewshire Council this year announced a £6million fund to fight child poverty. More than half of the fund £3.3million will be used to improve early years and close the attainment gap between young people from high and low income households.

Provost Anne Hall said: “Renfrewshire Council has long-running links with Fürth and has made a bold commitment to tackling the causes of child poverty. This trip will not only continue to strengthen the relationship between the twin towns but provide an opportunity to discuss approaches to our shared vision of closing the educational attainment gap caused by living in poverty.”

Renfrewshire Council has had a strong relationship with Fürth over the years including formal civic visits, school exchange trips, employments scheme for young people and exchange visits for local community groups. Further exchanges are planned over the next year with 22 pupils from Fürth visiting Renfrewshire in October as an exchange with pupils from Gleniffer High School and another group coming in July 2016 from Fürth Music School.

In 2014, an officer from Fürth carried out work experience at Renfrewshire Council which included supporting the work of the Tackling Poverty Commission.

The £6m Tackling Poverty fund was launched following the recommendations of the Commission. The package will target a range of areas in a bid to lift families out of hardship including transport, jobs, training, youth mental health, schools, housing, family support, regeneration and fuel and food poverty.

Provost Anne Hall will be joined by Education Convener Jacqueline Henry and two senior Education Officers on the visit in October.

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