Agendas, reports and minutes

Education Committee

Date: Thursday, 24 February 2022

Agenda: Read the Agenda

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 24 February 2022 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 provide some information on the nature of the interest and leave the meeting at the appropriate time.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.
 
3. Good News/Outstanding Achievements
Naidheachdan Matha/Coileanaidhean Air Leth
 
4. School Covid Update
Cunntas às Ùr air Covid do Sgoiltean
 
The Area Education and Learning Manager (South) will provide a verbal update.
 
5. Highland Schools Interim Review of Actions for Attainment
Ath-sgrùdadh Eadar-amail air Gnìomhan airson Buileachadh do Sgoiltean na Gàidhealtachd
 
There is circulated Report No EDU/1/22 dated 20 January 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.
 
The Committee is invited to:-
 
i.   note the planned collaborative engagement, support and challenge provided to primary schools as outlined in the report through officer standardised attainment meetings;
ii.  agree, as a result of Primary attainment meetings, Head Teachers and officers will co-construct actions for improvement;
iii. note the actions resulting from the secondary school-based SQA attainment meetings in November and December 2021 which aim to accelerate improvements in attainment across our secondary schools; and
iv. continue to seek updates on the impact of the action plans on improving educational outcomes and improvement for the children of the Highland Council.
 
6. Update on the Highland Virtual Academy
Cunntas às Ùr mu Acadamaidh Bhiortail na Gàidhealtachd
 
There is circulated Report No EDU/2/22 dated 22 January 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.
 
The Committee is invited to note the progress made with regards attainment and achievement in the Highland Virtual Academy (HVA) and the plans for continuing to support Highland schools through the HVA.
 
7. Presentation: Young Carers – a celebration of activities undertaken in Skye and Lochalsh
Taisbeanadh: Luchd-cùraim Òga – a’ comharrachadh ghnìomhan a rinneadh anns an Eilean Sgitheanach is Loch Aillse
 
There will be a presentation by representatives of Skye & Lochalsh Young Carers.
 
8. Ambitious Highland – My Future, My Success
Gàidhealtachd Àrd-amasach
 
There is circulated Report No EDU/3/22 dated 13 January 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer Education and Learning.
 
The Committee is invited to:-
 
i.  approve the detailed plan “My Future, My Success” as set out in Appendix 1 of the report; and
ii. agree that future reports will be brought back to the Education Committee detailing the progress made for people across the five workstreams identified.
 
9. Revenue Budget Monitoring for Quarter 3 of 2021/22
Sgrùdadh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach airson Cairteal 3 de 2021/22
 
There is circulated Report No EDU/4/22 dated 19 January 2022 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.
 
10. Statutory Consultation on Gaelic Medium Catchment Areas for Plockton Associated School Group
Co-chomhairle Reachdail mu Sgìrean-sgoile Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig airson Buidheann Sgoiltean Co-cheangailte a’ Phluic
 
There is circulated Report No EDU/5/22 dated 10 February 2022 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.
 
11. Statutory Consultation on Relocation of St Clements School
Co-chomhairle Reachdail mu Ath-shuidheachadh Sgoil an Naoimh Cliamhainn
 
There is circulated Report No EDU/6/22 dated 14 February 2022 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.
 
12. Review of Statutory Consultation Exercise to Establish a Gaelic Medium Catchment Area for Newtonmore Primary School
Ath-sgrùdadh air Eacarsaich Cho-chomhairle Reachdail airson Sgìre-sgoile Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig a Stèidheachadh airson Bun-Sgoil Bhaile Ùr an t-Slèibh
 
There is circulated Report No EDU/7/22 dated 12 January 2022 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 of the report) and associated appendices;
ii.  consider the representations received (Appendices 3i-3iii of the report) and the report from Education Scotland (Appendices 4 and 5 of the report); and
iii. agree to recommend to the Council that it create a Gaelic Medium catchment area for Newtonmore Primary School on the basis set out at paragraph 1.2 of the report.
 
13. Review of Statutory Consultation Exercise to Establish a Gaelic Medium Catchment Area for Acharacle Primary School
Ath-sgrùdadh air Eacarsaich Cho-chomhairle Reachdail airson Sgìre-sgoile Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig a Stèidheachadh airson Bun-Sgoil Àth Tharracail
 
There is circulated Report No EDU/8/22 dated 10 February 2022 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 of the report) and associated appendices;
ii.  consider the representations received (Appendices 3i-3xiii of the report); and the report from Education Scotland (Appendices 4 and 5 of the report); and
iii. agree to recommend to the Council that it create a Gaelic Medium catchment area for Acharacle Primary School on the basis set out at paragraph 1.2 of the report.