Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place REMOTELY on Thursday 20 May 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.    Return to School
Tilleadh dhan Sgoil

There will be a verbal update from the Chair of the Education Committee on the school return summer session 2021.

5.    Children and Young People Summer of Hope Programme
Prògram Samhraidh Chloinne is Dhaoine Òga

There is circulated Report No EDU/07/21 dated 25 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i.    to the delivery of a 2021 summer of hope programme and outcomes as described within the report, within the expected funding envelope of £500,000 from Scottish Government, and with detailed finalisation of the programme and implementation to be assigned to officers; and
ii.    agree to the principles set out in section 4 of this report to support the readiness for learning of children and young people.

6.    Wellbeing Counselling Update
Fios às Ùr mu Chomhairleachadh Soirbheis

There will be a verbal update from the Head Teachers of Holm Primary School and Kyle Primary School on the progress to date of the school counselling resource.

7.    Caithness Cares Progress Report
Aithisg Adhartais Cùram Ghallaibh

There is circulated Report No EDU/08/21 dated 30 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

In addition to the report, there will be an opportunity for Members to ask two of the young people involved in the Caithness Cares pathfinder project about their involvement and opportunities.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the successful engagement and inclusion of children and young people and community partners in Caithness Cares;
ii.    note the development of a practice model for universal mental health approaches in Caithness in tiers 1 and 2;
iii.    note that The Highland Council will now work with partners in Caithness to create a structure that will enable the localised enhancement and re-design of services, including appropriate out of hours services as required in the local context ie create a tiered framework of service delivery and intervention from universal to targeted and legislative in Caithness ie tiers 3 and above; and
iv.    agree that the strategic 5 year development plan agreed at the February Education Committee be brought back to the Education and Health and Social Care Committees in September with details of roll out across the Highlands linked to the national recurring funding grants that will be available.

8.    Virtual Academy – update and next steps
Acadamaidh Bhiortail – fios às ùr agus ath cheumannan

There is circulated Report No EDU/09/21 dated 10 May 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the progress made with regards attainment and achievement in the Highland Virtual Academy;
ii.    note the plans and position for continuing to support Highland Schools;
iii.    scrutinise and comment on the progress made to support inclusion and engagement of pupils in Highland; and
iv.    comment on the plans for the expansion of the Highland Virtual Academy.

9.    Education and Learning Directorate Service Plan 2021/22
Plana Buidheann-stiùiridh Foghlaim agus Ionnsachaidh 2021/22

There is circulated Report No EDU/10/21 dated 10 May 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to comment on the draft Directorate Service Plan for 2021/22, agree any amendments required and approve the plan.

10.    Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Update
Fios às Ùr mu Thràth-ionnsachadh is Cùram-chloinne

There is circulated Report No EDU/11/21 dated 29 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the updated position regarding ELC and provision of 1140 hours;
ii.    note progress towards delivering 1140 hours in all Highland settings;
iii.    note the current status of ELC capital projects and work being taken forward to progress project delivery;
iv.    note the work being taken forward, with partner involvement, to review funding arrangements and establish sustainable rates in line with Scottish Government guidance, with recommendations to come back to a future meeting of this Committee;
v.    note the work being taken forward to support partner settings, including the administration of Scottish Government Covid-19 financial support schemes; and
vi.    note the updates provided regarding ongoing discussions with Scottish Government in respect of service provision and development.

11.    St Clements Primary School Update
Fios às Ùr mu Bhun-Sgoil Naomh Chliamain

There is circulated Report No EDU/12/21 dated 10 May 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the actions being taken forward to support the development of a project for a new St Clement’s School;
ii.    the positive discussions that have taken place with parents and local stakeholders; and
iii.    the expectation of further reports to this Committee and/or Full Council in the coming months.

12.    Newtonmore Gaelic Medium Education - Statutory Consultation
Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig Bhaile Ùr an t-Slèibh – Co-chomhairle Reachdail

There is circulated Report No EDU/13/21 dated 16 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree to proceed to statutory consultation on the basis of the proposal attached to the report.

13.    Statutory Consultation – Gaelic Medium Catchment Proposal for Acharacle Primary School
Co-chomhairle Reachdail – Moladh airson Sgìre-sgoile Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig airson Bun-Sgoil Àth Tharracail

There is circulated Report No EDU/14/21 dated 10 May 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree to proceed to statutory consultation on the basis of the proposal attached to the report.

14.    High Life Highland Update Report
Aithisg às Ùr mu High Life na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/15/21 dated 28 April 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the services that were delivered by High Life Highland during lockdown through the increased use of technology, including over 4 million online customer engagements in 2020/21; 
ii.    the general updates, including those on High Life Highland’s recovery work; and
iii.    the opening plan for High Life Highland services from 26 April 2021 as set out in Appendix A of the report.