Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place REMOTELY on Wednesday 17 November 2021 at 11.05 am.

Please note the later start time of the Committee due to the Members’ Workshop scheduled to take place at 10.00 am (see item 7 below).

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.    Covid and Back to School
Covid agus Air Ais dhan Sgoil

The Area Education and Learning Manager (Mid) and a Public Health representative will provide a verbal update.

5.    Gaelic Medium Education and Gaelic Learner Education – The Highland Council
Aithisg Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig agus Foghlam Luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig

There is circulated Report No EDU/22/21 dated 11 October 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    consider the report and note the provision of Gaelic Medium and Gaelic Education across Highland;
ii.    note the areas of current and future development; and
iii.    consider what other actions can be taken to support the development of Gaelic Education.

6.    Highland Attainment and Scrutiny Session 2020-21
Seisean Coileanadh is Sgrùdadh na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/23/21 dated 28 October 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise the Senior Phase Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Attainment for session 2020/21 and note the continued positive trends in attainment over four periods;
ii.    note that secondary school-based attainment meetings will take place in November and December 2021 and actions for improvement will be agreed; these will then be shared and discussed with Members at ward level and sessions completed by end January 2022 so that a summative report inclusive of Member and Headteacher feedback is brought back to the Education Committee in February 2022; and
iii.    note the specific focus on attainment meetings on raising attainment in S5 at level 6 (Higher) and bring back to the February Education Committee a summary of the strategies that are being deployed across the Highlands to accelerate improvement.

7.    Consultation on the review of SQA and Education Scotland
Co-chomhairle mun ath-sgrùdadh air Ùghdarras Theisteanasan na h-Alba agus Foghlam Alba

There is circulated Report No EDU/24/21 dated 9 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

In addition, a Members’ workshop will be held prior to the Committee to enable an initial discussion on the OECD consultation to take place.  The main themes emerging from this discussion will be reflected back when the report is formally discussed at the Committee and there will then be a further workshop arranged for Members prior to the consultation response being drafted and submitted to Ministers and to the Council in December.

The Committee is invited to consider the terms of the consultation and note:-

i.    the main themes and conclusions reached in the OECD reports that are being consulted on as part of the review of SQA and Education Scotland;
ii.    the proposed engagement with internal and external stakeholders to help inform the response to this consultation; and 
iii.    that the draft response will be brought to full Council in December.

8.    Online Internet Safety and Child Protection
Sàbhailteachd Eadar-lìn Air-loidhne agus Dìon Chloinne

Mr R Quigley, ICTiLearning Officer, will give a presentation.

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

There is circulated Report No EDU/25/21 dated 8 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the update and positive information provided in relation to the number of settings and children benefiting from funded ELC provision;
ii.    note the current status of the remaining ELC capital projects and work being taken forward to progress project delivery;
iii.    note the update provided in relation to local and national developments;
iv.    note the work being taken forward in relation to the review of the rate of payment for funded ELC to the Council’s partners; and
v.    agree an interim rate for funded ELC to apply effective August 2021, as outlined in section 8 of the report.

10.    High Life Highland Progress Report
Aithisg Adhartais High Life na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/26/21 dated 24 October 2021 by the Chief Executive, High Life Highland. 

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the information on the performance of High Life Highland (HLH) during the operating period 1 April to 30 September 2021;
ii.    the general updates provided in section two of the report;
iii.    that in light of the above and the restrictions which have been imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic, HLH is on target to meet the revised outcomes expected in the Service Delivery Contract with The Highland Council for the operating period to March 2022;
iv.    the positive partnership working between HLH and sportscotland in section 3 of the report; and
v.    the new approach to sports facilities investment being taken by sportscotland and its willingness to support the Highland Council’s strategic priorities for sports facility development as the Council develops its capital programme.

11.    Revenue Budget Monitoring for Quarter 2 of 2021/22
Sgrùdadh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach – Cairteal 2 airson 2021/22

There is circulated Report No EDU/27/21 dated 28 October 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    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; and
ii.    the progress update provided in relation to budget savings delivery.

12.    National Improvement Framework Annual Reporting and Education Service Plan 
Plana Bliadhnail Frèam-obrach Leasachaidh Nàiseanta na Gàidhealtachd 2021-22

There is circulated Report No EDU/28/21 dated 8 November 2021 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the progress made in Highland Council in session 2020/2021;
ii.    note the key activities planned for session 2021/2022 to further improve outcomes for children, young people and families; and
iii.    consider the National Improvement Framework Report.

13.    Statutory Consultation: Gaelic Medium Catchment Area for Glenurquhart Primary School
Co-chomhairle Reachdail: Sgìre-sgoile Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig airson Bun-Sgoil Ghlinn Urchadain

There is circulated Report No EDU/29/21 dated 28 October 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.    Statutory Consultation: Request to proceed to consultation on formal closure of Roy Bridge Primary School
Co-chomhairle Reachdail: Iarrtas a dhol air adhart gu co-chomhairle mu dhùnadh foirmeil Bhun-Sgoil Dhrochaid Ruaidh 

There is circulated Report No EDU/30/21 dated 15 October 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.

15.    Membership of Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers
Ballrachd na Comataidh Barganachaidh Ionadail airson Thidsearan 

The Committee is invited to agree the following change to the membership of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers:-

•    Mr A Graham to replace Mr A Christie

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

The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting and Ordinary Meeting of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers held on 9 November 2021 are circulated for noting.