Any additional resources for schools, particularly in the most deprived areas must always be welcome ("Poverty gap teaching appeal", The Herald, July 9).
Let's not forget to value the examples of many schools in Scotland where reading and wider literacy skills are being improved within existing finances and teaching staff.
The issues are hard and, yes, teachers need to overcome the disadvantages faced by many of their pupils from birth. Where there is targeted and focused leadership and determination by the education system at every level, evidence is emerging from local authorities that children's reading levels will not necessarily be pre-determined by where they live.
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