Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 23 November 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.    Consultation on the proposed merger of UHI North Highland, UHI Outer Hebrides and UHI West Highland
Co-chomhairle mun mholadh UHI na Gàidhealtachd a Tuath, UHI Innse Gall agus UHI na Gàidhealtachd an Iar a thoirt còmhla

There will be a presentation by UHI college merger representatives on the plans to merge three colleges with 19 rural and island campuses and learning centres across the Highlands, Skye and Western Islands, supporting 9000 students and 600 staff.

4a.    Update on Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) PVI Partner Rate Engagement since Full Council on 27 October 2022
Cunntas às Ùr mu Chom-pàirteachas Reata Chom-pàirtichean Prìobhaideach, Saor-thoileach is Neo-eisimeileach Thràth-ionnsachaidh is Cùraim-chloinne on Làn Chomhairle air 27 Dàmhair 2022 

A verbal update will be provided.

5.    Presentation: High Level Attainment Messages and Next Steps
Taisbeanadh: Teachdaireachdan agus Ath Cheumannan a thaobh Buileachadh Àrd-Ìre

There will be a presentation by Beth Brown, Strategic Lead - Developing the Young Workforce 3-18.

6.    Highland Scottish Credit & Qualification Framework (SCQF) Attainment and Scrutiny (Session 2021-22)
Sgrùdadh agus Buileachadh Frèam-obrach Creideasan agus Teisteanasan na Alba airson na Gàidhealtachd (Seisean 2021-22)

There is circulated Report No EDU/16/22 dated 25 October 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise Highland’s Senior Phase SCQF Attainment for session 2021/22 and specifically note the improvement in S4 attainment;
ii.    note that secondary school-based attainment meetings will take place in November and December 2022 and actions for improvement will be agreed.  At these meetings stretch targets for session 2022/23 will be set with each school; and
iii.    note that the Raising Attainment Action plan agreed at the September 2022 Education Committee will be used as a key driver to progress the attainment agenda in secondary schools and reduce the attainment gap.  

7.    Community Learning and Development (CLD) – Feedback & Update on Highland Cares & My Future, My Success
Ionnsachadh agus Leasachadh Coimhearsnachd – Fios air Ais agus Fios às Ùr mu Chùram na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/17/22 dated 10 November 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the progress, including key achievements, made in year one of the Highland Community Learning and Development Plan, Highland Cares and My Future, My Success;
ii.    the priorities and focus for year two of the Highland Community Learning and Development Plan, and
iii.    commend the findings from the Education Scotland His Majesty Inspectors’ CLD visit to Highland Council. (Appendix 2 of the report).

8.    Presentation: Kingussie High School – Supporting Our Families from Ukraine
Taisbeanadh: Àrd-Sgoil Cheann a’ Ghiùthsaich – A’ Toirt Taic dha na Teaghlaichean Againn o Ùcrain

Following an introduction by Roseann Christie, Additional Support Needs Officer, there will be a presentation by Ian Adamson, Head Teacher, Kingussie High School.

9.    Early Years Curriculum and Learning Through Play
Curraicealam Tràth-Ìrean agus Ag Ionnsachadh Tro Chluiche

There is circulated Report No EDU/18/22 dated 10 November 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    acknowledge the plans for improvement and recovery and the benefits of play-based pedagogy in Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) and Early level primary;
ii.    acknowledge the improvement work taking place in ELC and the ambition for progress across all aspects of ELC provision;
iii.    note the direction of travel in early years and ELC practice, and
iv.    support and endorse the ELC Vision recognising the communication and co-production between ELC providers, parents/carers and early years staff across Highland.

10.    Revenue Budget Monitoring – Quarter 2 Forecast for 2022/23
Sgrùdadh Buidseat Teachd A-steach – Ro-shealladh Cairteil 2 airson 2022/23

There is circulated Report No EDU/19/22 dated 31 October 2022 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the forecast revenue position for Quarter 2 of the 2022/23 financial year, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, and
ii.    the progress update provided in relation to budget savings delivery as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

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

There is circulated Report No EDU/20/22 dated 17 November 2022 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 to 30 September 2022;
ii. the general updates provided in section two of the report;
iii. that HLH continues to deliver Public Service Obligations on behalf of the Council as set out in the Service Delivery Contract; and
iv. HLH’s innovation and service development during and beyond the pandemic.

12.    Review of the statutory consultation exercise on the establishment of Gaelic Medium catchment areas for Plockton and Lochcarron Primary Schools
Ath-sgrùdadh dhen eacarsaich cho-chomhairleachaidh reachdail a thaobh sgìrean-sgoile airson Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig a stèidheachadh airson Bun-Sgoiltean a’ Phluic agus Loch Carrann

There is circulated Report No EDU/21/22 dated 1 November 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 at the public meeting (Appendix 2 of the report) and in writing (Appendices 3i-3xi of the report), and the report from Education Scotland (Appendices 4 and 5 of the report); and
iii.    agree to recommend to the Council the creation of Gaelic Medium catchment areas for Plockton Primary School and Lochcarron Primary School on the basis set out at paragraph 1.2 of the report.

13.    Membership of Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers
Ballrachd Comataidh Barganachaidh Ionadail do Thidsearan

The Committee is invited to agree that Mr A Christie replace Ms S Rawlings on the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers.