THE link between poverty and educational attainment has been noticeable in Glasgow for a long time.

It is not only in exam results that poverty can have a detrimental effect, but on a child's overall experience of school.

From the stigma that can be attached to free school meals to missing school trips and not being able to afford equipment, poverty can make life a misery for many children, as well as affecting the ability to learn.

The project to understand more about children's experiences and evaluating well-meaning efforts which may have failed in the past is welcome.

Any measures that can create a more level playing field for all children in the city and promote inclusiveness must be explored and deserve to be supported.

Identifying the problems is one thing and putting in place some measures to help is good but the best outcome would be for government and authorities at all levels to tackle the poverty and the causes of poverty itself.

Pupils are sitting their exams this month and the day when Glasgow schools can look at the results when they are released and not have to weigh them up against deprivation statistics would be among the biggest succeses this city could have.