Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 1 June 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 Legal and Governance

Business

1.    Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence
Gairm a’ Chlàir agus Leisgeulan

2.    Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statement
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt/ Aithris Fhollaiseachd

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.    Collaborative Improvement Framework
Frèam Leasachaidh Co-obrachail 

There is circulated Report No EDU/9/23 dated 20 April 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    agree the purpose and principles to support continuous improvement through the draft Collaborative Improvement framework (CIF);
ii.    note the planned collaborative engagement in the form of support, challenge and review provided to schools as outlined in the CIF including the agreed universal support given to all schools; and
iii.    note that an informative Member workshop was held prior to Committee to update Members on the progress of the CIF to date, including the support and challenge provided to all schools and Early Learning and Childcare settings through continuous improvement.

5.    Education and Learning Service – Service Performance Reporting for Q4 – 1st January to 31st March 2023
Seirbheis an Fhoghlaim agus an Ionnsachaidh – Aithris Coileanaidh Seirbheis airson C4 – 1 Faoilleach gu 31 Màrt 2023

There is circulated Report No EDU/10/23 dated 10 May 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise the Service’s performance information.

6.    Positive Destinations and Key Transitions
Cinn-uidhe Dheimhinneach agus Prìomh Eadar-ghluasadan

There is circulated Report No EDU/11/23 dated 11 May 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

In addition to the report, there will be a presentation by Maxine Garson, Senior Lead Skills, Employability & Prosperity 3-18.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the continuing progress made on our Developing the Young Workforce, employability and mentoring programmes; and
ii.    approve the updated draft Developing the Young Workforce strategic implementation plan for 2022-2023, including the key outcomes identified in section 4.1.2 of the report.

7.    Presentation: Youth Convener Term in Office
Taisbeanadh: Teirm Neach-gairm na h-Òigridh san Dreuchd

Caitlyn Munro will give a presentation on her term in office as Highland Youth Convener.

8.    Devolved School Management (DSM)
Stiùireadh Sgoiltean Tiomnaichte

There is circulated Report No EDU/12/23 dated 11 May 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the changes to the staffing formula for secondary schools;
ii.    agree that the draft DSM Scheme should be formally adopted; and
iii.    approve the continuation of the DSM review group in Session 2023-24 to allow further updates to the manual.

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

There is circulated Report No EDU/13/23 dated 15 May 2023 by the Chief Executive, High Life Highland.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.    the performance of High Life Highland (HLH) during the operating period to 31 March 2023, including HLH’s contributions to the implementation of the Council Corporate Plan as set out in Appendix A of the report;
ii.    the general updates provided in section 2 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;
iv.    the success of HLH’s work to recover customer numbers despite the challenges of the post-pandemic operating environment; and
v.    that there has been correspondence between the Council Leader and HLH Chair to initiate the Service Delivery Contract Review as outlined in section 7 of the report.

10.    Statutory Consultation – Gaelic Medium Catchments for Bun-sgoil Gàidhlig Inbhir Nis, Dingwall Primary School, Millbank Primary School, Inverness Royal Academy, Dingwall Academy and Nairn Academy
Co-chomhairleachadh Reachdail – Sgìrean-sgoile Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig airson Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, Bun-Sgoil Inbhir Pheofharain, Bun-Sgoil Bruach a’ Mhuilinn, Acadamaidh Rìoghail Inbhir Nis, Acadamaidh Inbhir Pheofharain agus Acadamaidh Inbhir Narann

There is circulated Report No EDU/14/23 dated 1 May 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.

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

The Committee is invited to agree that Mr P Logue replace Mr A Jarvie on the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers.