Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 23 November 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.    Highland Youth Convener Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Neach-gairm Òigridh na Gàidhealtachd

Orla MacLeod, Highland Youth Convener, will update the Committee on her Action Plan and the Highland Youth Parliament Conference which took place in June 2023.

5.    Highland Scottish Credit & Qualification Framework (SCQF) Attainment and Scrutiny (Session 2022-23)
Buileachadh is Sgrùdadh Frèam Chreideasan is Theisteanasan na h-Alba airson na Gàidhealtachd (Seisean 2022-23)

There is circulated Report No EDU/22/23 dated 25 October 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    scrutinise Highland’s Senior Phase SCQF attainment for session 2022/23 and specifically note the improvement in S4 attainment;
ii.    note that secondary school-based attainment meetings will take place in November and December 2023 and actions for improvement will be agreed. At these meetings stretch targets for session 2023/24 will be set with each school; and 
iii.    note that the Raising Attainment Action Plan agreed at the September 2022 Education Committee continues to be used as a key driver to progress the attainment agenda in secondary schools and reduce the attainment gap.

6.    Children’s Rights and Participation – Progress on implementing The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and The Promise
Còraichean is Com-pàirteachas Chloinne – Adhartas a thaobh a bhith a’ buileachadh Cunnradh nan NA air Còraichean Chloinne agus A’ Gheallaidh

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

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    note the examples of progress to date and future actions proposed;
ii.    note the information prepared specifically for Elected Members in relation to children’s rights, and
iii.    agree to have in mind the rights of children and young people in consultations, discussions and decision-making within this Committee, with specific consideration to care-experienced children and young people.

7.    Presentation: Aviemore Primary School – Rights Respecting Schools Gold Award and Makaton Accreditation
Taisbeanadh: Bun-Sgoil na h-Aghaidh Mòire – Duais Òir agus Barantachadh Makaton Sgoiltean a’ Toirt Spèis do Chòraichean 

There will be a presentation by Ms E MacCallum, Head Teacher, Aviemore Primary School.

8.    Community, Sports and Leisure Facility Strategy
Ro-innleachd Goireas Coimhearsnachd, Spòrs agus Cur-seachad

There is circulated Report No EDU/24/23 dated 25 October 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

In addition to the report, the CEO of sportscotland will provide an overview of the priorities and vision for sport in Scotland.

The Committee is invited to agree to recommend to the Council:-

i.    the community/sport and leisure facility strategy set out in the report; and 
ii.    subject to (i) above, that a report(s) be considered at a future Education Committee meeting which details plans for each Associated School Group area. 

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

There is circulated Report No EDU/25/12 dated 18 October 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 30 September 2023, including HLH’s contributions to the implementation of the Council Corporate Plan 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 progress on the Service Delivery Contract review; and
v.    the information in Appendix B of the report on the health and wellbeing work delivered by HLH.

10.    Service Performance Reporting and Quarter 2 Monitoring July 2023 to 30 September 2023
Aithris Coileanadh Seirbheis agus Sgrùdadh Cairteal 2 Iuchar 2023 gu 30 Sultain 2023

There is circulated Report No EDU/26/23 dated 25 October 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.

11.    Education & Learning Service Workforce Plan 2023-2026
Plana Feachd-obrach Seirbheis an Fhoghlaim agus an Ionnsachaidh 2023-2026

There is circulated Report No EDU/27/23 dated 10 October 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to note the Education & Learning Service Workforce Plan 2023-2026.

12.    Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Thràth-ionnsachadh is Chùram-chloinne

There is circulated Report No EDU/28/23 dated 25 October 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.    agree the purpose and principles to support ELC settings for ongoing improvement through the draft Collaborative Improvement Framework;
ii.    note Scottish Government childcare commitments as outlined in the Programme for Government; and
iii.    note the intention to re-engage with PVI (Private, Voluntary, Independent) ELC partners and other Highland Council directorates to develop and implement the required changes.

13.    Appointment to Highland Disability Sport
Cur an Dreuchd gu Spòrs Chiorramach na Gàidhealtachd

The Committee is invited to appoint 1 Member to replace Mrs I Campbell on Highland Disability Sport.

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

The Committee is invited to agree that Mr R Gale replace Mr A Christie and Mrs I MacKenzie replace Mr P Logue on the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers.

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

There are circulated for noting draft Minutes of the Annual General Meeting and Ordinary Meeting of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers held on 14 November 2023.