The Schools of Ambition programme was a political education initiative for secondary schools in Scotland run by the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate.
According to the previous Scottish Executive, it aimed to "raise the ambitions of schools, instill belief and ambition in pupils, extend their opportunities and transform their life chances". The idea is that the schools selected will raise aspirations for their pupils by introducing exciting new initiatives. [1]
Schools had to bid to be chosen to take part. In summer 2005, twenty eight schools were selected to become the first schools of ambition. In 2007, a second tranche of schools were selected to join the project. To date there are now 52 schools.
On 5 March 2008 it was announced that the Scottish Government would be discontinuing the programme after 2010. The Education Secretary, Fiona Hyslop had previously said in opposition that "the SNP welcome any additional support for schools across Scotland, but this proposal will benefit only a small proportion of Scotland's children..... the executive should be bringing forward plans to benefit the educational provision of all schools in Scotland". [2]