Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 7 September 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. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh 

The Committee is invited to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 29 June 2023 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Education Committee.

4. Good News/Outstanding Achievements
Naidheachdan Matha/Coileanaidhean Air Leth

5. Education and Learning Service Plan - Final    
Plana Seirbheis Foghlaim agus Ionnsachaidh – Deireannach

There is circulated Report No EDU/15/23 dated 1 August 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to comment on and approve the Service Plan for 2023/24.

6. Excellence and Equity Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Shàr-mhathas agus Chothromas

There will be a presentation by James Cook, Head Teacher, Cawdor Primary School, and Hannah Flavell, Head Teacher, Thurso High School.

7. Counselling in Schools Update    
Cunntas às Ùr mu Chomhairleachadh ann an Sgoiltean

There is circulated Report No EDU/16/23 dated 24 July 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the progress made on embedding a school counselling service across Highland and consider and comment on the data gathered to date in relation to this service;
ii.  be aware of counselling as one part of the available supports for promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing across Highland; 
iii. note the training available in relation to Promoting Positive Relationships, Mental Health Awareness and Becoming Trauma Informed and signpost this as appropriate to schools and services within communities; and 
iv.  be aware of and promote the use of the website created for parents/carers, pupils and practitioners in Highland to support mental health and wellbeing: https://www.wellbeinghighland.co.uk/

8. National Discussion and Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment    
Deasbad Nàiseanta agus Ath-sgrùdadh Neo-eisimeileach air Teisteanasan is  Measadh

There is circulated Report No EDU/17/23 dated 1 August 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the content of the update report on education reform in Scotland; and
ii. approve the actions set out as Next Steps in section 7 of the report to support engagement opportunities of our teachers with the information set out in the National Reports.

9. Revenue Budget Monitoring Final Out-turn 2022/23 and Service Performance Reporting for Quarter 1 – 1 April 2023 to 30 June 2023    
Fìor Shuim Dheireannach Sgrùdadh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach 2022/23 agus Aithris Coileanaidh Seirbheis airson Cairteal 1 – 1 Giblean 2023 gu 30 Ògmhios 2023 

There is circulated Report No EDU/18/23 dated 11 August 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  consider the Service’s revenue monitoring position; and
ii. scrutinise the Service’s performance and risk information.

10. Statutory Consultation: Gergask Primary School – Proposal to Proceed to Consultation on Closure    
Co-chomhairleachadh Reachdail: Bun-Sgoil Gharbhghaisg – Moladh a Dhol air Adhart gu Co-chomhairleachadh a Thaobh Dùnadh

There is circulated Report No EDU/19/23 dated 1 August 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. Review of Statutory Consultation Exercise – Closure of Struan Primary School    
Ath-sgrùdadh air Eacarsaich Cho-chomhairleachaidh Reachdail – Dùnadh Bun-Sgoil an t-Sruthain 

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

The Committee is invited to agree to recommend to the Council that it discontinue education provision at Struan Primary School, transferring its catchment to that of Dunvegan Primary School.  Struan Primary has not been operational since 2022 and a closure decision would formalise the current operational situation.

12. Review of Statutory Consultation Exercise – Closure of Torridon Primary School
Ath-sgrùdadh air Eacarsaich Cho-chomhairleachaidh Reachdail – Dùnadh Bun-Sgoil Thoirbheartan 

There is circulated Report No EDU/21/23 dated 23 August 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to agree to recommend to the Council that it discontinue education provision at Torridon Primary School, transferring its catchment to that of Shieldaig Primary School.  Torridon Primary School has not been operational since 2012 and a closure decision would formalise the current operational situation.

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

The draft Minutes of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers held on 13 June 2023 are circulated for noting.