Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place REMOTELY on Thursday 11 February 2021 at 10.35 am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Head of Corporate Governance

Business

1.    Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

2.    Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting. Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3.    Good News/Outstanding Achievements
Naidheachdan Matha/Coileanaidhean Air Leth

4.    Education and Learning – Back to School
Foghlam agus Ionnsachadh – Air Ais dhan Sgoil

There is circulated Report No EDU/01/21 dated 15 January 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

In addition to the report, there will be a video presentation by pupils.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the directives and guidance provided by the Scottish Government to schools, settings, families and communities; 
ii.    the criterion and flexibility provided by the Scottish Government to support The Highland Council in the provision and prioritisation of keyworker childcare;
iii.    the criterion used for vulnerable children to access in-school/setting support in line with Scottish Government recommendations and the additional flexibility implemented by The Highland Council to take into account the context of Highland communities to maximise the support for vulnerable young people identified locally;
iv.    the governance put in place to ensure a multi-agency decision making process; and
v.    the plan for mental health and wellbeing support for staff and young people during this time.

5.    Education and Learning - Remote Learning
Foghlam agus Ionnsachadh – Ionnsachadh Air Astar

There is circulated Report No EDU/2/21 dated 13 January 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    agree the strategic direction for digital learning and skills in Highland schools as set out in paragraph 6.1 of the report; 
ii.    note the plans and position for supporting the effectiveness of remote learning across the Highlands;
iii.    scrutinise and comment on the progress made to support remote learning across Highland, including the support for digital inclusion; and 
iv.    agree the ICT in Learning strategy for 2021.

6.    Short, Medium and Long-Term Action Plan – Education and Learning
Plana-gnìomha Geàrr-ùine, Meadhan-ùine is Fad-ùine – Foghlam agus Ionnsachadh

There is circulated Report No EDU/03/21 dated 12 January 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note and agree the short, medium and longer term priorities as described in the report; and
ii.    agree that further reports on the progress of the action plan will be taken to future Education Committees for challenge and scrutiny.

7.    Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) 1140 Hours
1140 Uair a Thìde de Thràth-Ionnsachadh is Cùram-Chloinne

There is circulated Report No EDU/04/21 dated 15 January 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the updated position regarding ELC and provision of 1140 hours;
ii.    the further progress towards delivering 1140 hours in all Highland settings;
iii.    the current status of ELC capital projects and work being taken forward to progress project delivery; and
iv.    the updates provided regarding ongoing discussion with the Scottish Government and other local and national developments.

8.    Review of the statutory consultation exercise to establish a Gaelic Medium catchment area for Gairloch Primary School
Ath-sgrùdadh air an eacarsaich cho-chomhairle reachdail gus sgìre-sgoile Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig a stèidheachadh airson Bun-Sgoil Gheàrrloch

There is circulated Report No EDU/05/21 dated 12 January 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    consider the proposal set out within the Consultation Report (Appendix 1) and associated appendices;
ii.    consider the representations received and the report from Education Scotland (Appendices 3i-3iv); and
iii.    agree to recommend to the Council the creation of a Gaelic Medium catchment area for Gairloch Primary School on the basis set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report.

9.    Revenue Budget Monitoring 3rd Quarter 2020/21
Sgrùdadh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach 3mh Ràith 2020/21

There is circulated Report No EDU/06/21 dated 13 January 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    consider the revenue budget outturn forecast for the year;
ii.    note the improvement in forecast and the reasons as set out within the report; and
iii.    note the remaining risks and uncertainties relating to the financial position as a result of Covid-19, and in particular the risks relating to the ongoing impact of the current lockdown, and continuing pressures that will be faced for the remainder of this financial year, and potentially extending into 2021/22.

10.    Minutes of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers
Geàrr-chunntas na Comataidh Barganachaidh Ionadail airson Thidsearan

The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers held on 9 December 2020 are circulated for noting.