Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 21 February 2024 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. Continuing to Raise Attainment and Achievement    
A’ Sìor Thogail Buileachadh agus Coileanadh

There is circulated Report No EDU/1/24 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note that a young person’s attainment and achievement is a 3-18 journey culminating in National Qualifications and positive sustained destinations;
ii.  agree the improvement focus for Primary 4 stage and that a progress update will be brought to a future Education Committee;
iii. agree that the service will continue to work with primary colleagues to improve accuracy of teacher judgement and build capacity within the system, improving moderation and standardisation within our schools; and
iv.  approve the next steps linked to the previously agreed Raising Attainment Strategy including recommendations from Members raised at previous Education Committee meetings.

5. Presentation: Primary Strategic Network
Taisbeanadh: Lìonra Ro-innleachdail nam Bun-sgoiltean

Fraser Thomson, Head Teacher, Noss Primary School, Alison MacLennan, Head Teacher, Auchtertyre and Shieldaig Primary Schools, Leah Burns, Head Teacher, St Columba’s Primary School, and John Naples-Campbell, Head Teacher, North West Sutherland Schools, will provide presentations on the four key workstreams within the Primary Strategic Network which supports the direct involvement of Head Teachers and schools, working with central officers, in the development of key aspects of policy and improvement activity and provides a mechanism to communicate these developments across schools with an Associated School Group representative framework.

6. Service Performance Reporting and Quarter 3 Monitoring - 1 October to 31 December 2023    
Aithris Coileanadh Seirbheis agus Sgrùdadh Ràith 3 – 1 Dàmhair gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2023

There is circulated Report No EDU/2/24 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.

7. Leadership Framework    
Frèam Ceannardais

There is circulated Report No EDU/3/24 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

In addition to the report, David Hayes-MacLeod, Head Teacher, South Lodge Primary School, and Norman Ross, Head Teacher, Dornoch Firth 3-18 Campus, will provide presentations on Learner Participation and Values-Based Leadership across a 3-18 Campus.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.   that the development of a Leadership Framework will need to work for both the Education Service, and across the wider organisation, to support management and leadership development at all levels and across all services at a time of financial complexity, supporting the concept of one Council;
ii.  the necessity of partnership working across services to ensure a consistent approach to leadership and management across all levels of the Council; and
iii. the progress made to date on Cohort 1 of the New and Acting Head Teacher Induction and the Professional Learning and Leadership Academy.

8. Presentation: Thriving Families and National Autistic Society
Taisbeanadh: Teaghlaichean Soirbheachail agus An Comann Òtasamach Nàiseanta    

There will be a presentation by Sarah Fowler, Chief Officer, Thriving Families, and Alison Footitt, Information Officer, National Autistic Society.

9. Promoting Positive Behaviour    
A’ Cur air Adhart Deagh Mhodh-ghiùlain

There is circulated Report No EDU/4/24 by the Executive Chief Officer, Education and Learning.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the outcome of the national survey;
ii.  note the actions taken to address concerns in schools and the training and support available to school staff; and
iii. endorse the approach taken in the Highland Framework and Guidance on Promoting Positive Relationships as being in line with current research and national guidance from Scottish Government and Education Scotland.

10. Review of Statutory Consultation Exercise - Closure of Gergask Primary School
Ath-sgrùdadh air Eacarsaich Cho-chomhairleachaidh Reachdail – Dùnadh Bun-Sgoil Gharbhghaisg

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

11. Statutory Consultation Exercise - Duror Primary School: Request to Proceed to Consultation on Permanent Closure    
Eacarsaich Co-chomhairleachaidh Reachdail – Bun-Sgoil Dhùrair: Iarrtas a Dhol air Adhart gu Co-chomhairleachadh mu Dhùnadh Maireannach

There is circulated Report No EDU/6/24 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 Paper set out in Appendix A of the report.