Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place REMOTELY on Thursday 2 September 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.    Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 24 June 2021 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Education Committee.

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

5.    Return to School
Tilleadh dhan Sgoil

The Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning will provide a verbal update.

6.    2021 SQA Attainment/OECD Report Implications
Buileachadh SQA 2021/Seaghan Aithisg OECD

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the content of this initial attainment report and the improvements identified in this year’s Senior Phase attainment;
ii.    agree to formally congratulate the young people, their families, staff and partners for the significant improvement in the overall Highland Council Education attainment results;
iii.    agree that a further attainment paper will be brought to the 17 November 2021 committee meeting, following the release of the initial Insight Toolkit and school attainment reviews, which will allow comparison of national and virtual comparator attainment data; and
iv.    note that positive destinations will be further reported on in February 2022.

7.    Presentation – Include Me (Nairn Academy)
Taisbeanadh – Gabh A-steach Mise (Acadamaidh Inbhir Narann)

There will be a presentation by Nairn Academy students on the Include Me initiative.

8.    Highland Youth Charter
Cairt Òigridh na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/17/21 dated 15 July 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    approve the creation of a Highland Youth Charter; and
ii.    note a progress report will be brought back to the Education Committee in February 2022.

9.    Community Learning and Development Plan 2021-2024
Plana Ionnsachadh is Leasachadh Coimhearsnachd 2021-2024

There is circulated Report No EDU/18/21 dated 19 August 2021 by High Life Highland.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    approve the draft Highland Community Learning and Development Plan 2021-2024 (Appendix 1 of the report); and
ii.    note and endorse the changes to the CLD governance structure.

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

There is circulated Report No EDU/19/21 dated 12 August 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 current status of ELC capital projects and work being taken forward to progress project delivery;
iii.    the positive work and engagement taken forward to develop a Highland Vision for Early Years;
iv.    the updates provided regarding the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme (SMHSS);
v.    other local and national developments including the vision set out for ELC;
vi.    the work being taken forward in relation to the review of the rate of payment for Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) ELC partners, and that a further report and recommendations would come back to the November Committee; and
vii.    the expectation from PVI ELC partners, and assurances given to them, that any changes made to rates of payment in the current year will be backdated effective to the start of the August 2021 term.

11.    Review of Statutory Consultation Exercise – Closure of Uig Primary School
Ath-sgrùdadh air Eacarsaich Cho-chomhairleachaidh Reachdail – Dùnadh Bun-Sgoil Ùige

There is circulated Report No EDU/20/21 dated 4 August 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree to recommend to the Council that it discontinue education at Uig Primary School, transferring its catchment to that of Kilmuir Primary School.

12.    Revenue Budget Monitoring – Outturn for 2020/21 and Quarter 1 for 2021/22
Sgrùdadh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach – Fìor Shuidheachadh airson 2020/21 agus Cairteal 1 airson 2021/22

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the revenue outturn position for the 2020/21 financial year;
ii.    note the forecast revenue position for the 2021/22 financial year, including the additional scrutiny and management action being taken and the risks and uncertainties set out within the report;
iii.    note the progress update provided in relation to budget savings delivery;
iv.    note the update provided in relation to the Scottish Government changes to funding and charging arrangements for a number of service areas; and
v.    agree to a letter being written to the Scottish Government to seek a commitment to fully fund the costs arising from the post-settlement policy initiatives referred to in Section 7 of the report and iv above.

13.    Appointment to Highland Disability Sport
Cur an Dreuchd gu Spòrs Chiorramach na Gàidhealtachd

At the former People Committee on 21 June 2017, Councillors Andrew Jarvie, Emma Knox and Graham Ross were appointed to Highland Disability Sport.

Highland Disability Sport co–ordinates all activities in sport and leisure in the Highlands for individuals with physical, learning or sensory disabilities. They arrange sporting activities Highland-wide and encourage people to participate and compete, regardless of their ability or age, in various sports such as athletics, badminton, boccia, bowling, football, golf, swimming and ten–pin.

Following the resignation of Councillor Graham Ross, the Committee is invited to appoint 1 Member to Highland Disability Sport.

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

The Minutes of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers held on 16 June 2021 are circulated for noting.