Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 15 February 2023 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.    Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People
A’ Leasachadh Bhuilean do Chloinn is do Dhaoine Òga

There is circulated Report No EDU/1/23 dated 2 February 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Level data in reading, writing, listening and talking, literacy and numeracy for session 2021/22;
ii.    that the significant accelerated rate of progress has closed the gap with the national average;
iii.    that Highland is the 2nd most improved local authority for P1, P4, P7 literacy (10% increase) and numeracy (9% increase);
iv.    that Highland is one of only 3 local authorities to have improved literacy by 10% or more and one of only 6 local authorities to have improved numeracy by 5% or more;
v.    that primary attainment meetings will take place from February 2023 and targets for improvement will be agreed with all Headteachers and thereafter scrutinised on a regular basis; and
vi.    that the Raising Attainment Action Plan agreed at the September 2022 Education Committee will be the key driver to maintaining these accelerated rates of progress, improving attainment and reducing the poverty-related attainment gap.

5.    Presentation: Primary Attainment
Taisbeanadh: Buileachadh Bun-sgoile

Members of staff, including the Head Teacher of Drakies Primary School, will give a presentation on their journey to excellence using a shared data culture.

6.    Supporting Learners
A’ Toirt Taic do Luchd-ionnsachaidh

There is circulated Report No EDU/2/23 dated 2 February 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the most up to date information on the identified additional support needs of the children and young people in the Highlands;
ii.    note the requirement to review the criteria in place for admissions to special schools and enhanced provisions based in line with new National guidance; and
iii.    agree the strategic approach to Highland Additional Support for Learning staffing structure, as set out in Appendix 5 of the report, for the next two years. This includes top slice for exceptional circumstances, funding for our enhanced provisions and an algorithm based on school roll, clothing/footwear grant, SIMD 1-3 and rurality.

7.    Highland Schools Digital Strategy 2023-26
Ro-innleachd Dhidseatach Sgoiltean na Gàidhealtachd 2023-26

There is circulated Report No EDU/3/23 dated 2 February 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the strategic direction for digital learning and skills in Highland Schools. As new technologies become more accessible, our team aims to support and engage with schools to enrich the curriculum and learning;
ii.    the progress made to support schools across Highland, recognising how the Highland Schools Digital Strategy will lead to improved outcomes for children and young people; and
iii.    the plans to establish a Highland Digital Learning Academy with empowerment, collaboration, and communication as the core principles.

8.    Presentation: Digital Tools
Taisbeanadh: Innealan Didseatach

The Silver Winners of the 2022 Pearson National Teaching Awards, from Muirtown Primary School, will give a presentation on their digital innovation in learning and teaching.

9.    Gaelic Medium Education and Gaelic Learner Education – The Highland Council 
Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig agus Foghlam Luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig – Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/4/23 dated 2 February 2023 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 sustainability and future development of Gaelic Education.

10.    Presentation: Gaelic Medium Education (GME) Success
Taisbeanadh: Soirbheachas Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig

In early November 2022, 20 teams from high schools across Scotland met to compete for the National Loganair Gaelic High Schools’ Debate.  This is a prestigious annual event for Gaelic medium pupils across Scotland and is hosted in Holyrood.  The 2022 winners are two pupils from Portree High School who will give a short presentation on their learning journey through GME, including their experiences, the challenges and the benefits of their years in GME and what it means to win this prestigious prize.

11.    Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Redesign
Cunntas às Ùr mu Ath-dhealbhadh Tràth-ionnsachaidh is Cùraim-chloinne

There is circulated Report No EDU/5/23 dated 5 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the work taken forward to date as part of ELC redesign;
ii.    that the work represents a co-production approach with ELC PVI partner representatives, following two meetings with the sector in late 2022;
iii.    the developing ELC redesign opportunities and actions as set out in Appendix 1 of the report; and
iv.    that further updates will come back to this Committee.

12.    Revenue Budget Monitoring and Service Performance Reporting for Quarter 3 
Sgrùdadh Buidseit agus Aithris Coileanadh Seirbheis airson Cairteal 3

There is circulated Report No EDU/6/23 dated 17 January 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the forecast revenue position for Quarter 3 of the 2022/23 financial year, as set out in Appendices 1a and 1b of the report;
ii.    there are significant risks and uncertainties relating to current financial year forecasts, relating to pay award, inflation and other pressures;
iii.    the progress update provided in relation to budget savings delivery as set out in Appendix 2 of the report; and
iv.    the performance reporting update for Quarter 3 as set out within the report and Appendix 3 of the report.

13.    Statutory Consultation – Torridon Primary School: Proposal to Proceed to Statutory Consultation for Formal Closure
Co-chomhairle Reachdail – Bun-Sgoil Thoirbheartain: Moladh a Dhol air Adhart gu Co-chomhairle Reachdail airson Dùnadh Foirmeil

There is circulated Report No EDU/7/23 dated 2 February 2023 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 – Struan Primary School: Proposal to Proceed to Statutory Consultation for Formal Closure
Co-chomhairle Reachdail – Bun-Sgoil an t-Sruthain: Moladh a Dhol air Adhart gu Co-chomhairle Reachdail airson Dùnadh Foirmeil

There is circulated Report No EDU/8/23 dated 2 February 2023 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.    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 22 November 2022 are circulated for noting.