Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 12 September 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. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh 

The Committee is invited to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 27 June 2024 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Education Committee.

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

A video presentation on outstanding achievements by pupils and schools will be shown.

In addition, there will be a presentation by pupils from Drakies Primary School and Inverness Royal Academy on their Gold accreditation as Rights Respecting Schools.

5. High Life Highland Service Delivery Contract Review Update    
Cunntas às Ùr mu Ath-sgrùdadh Cùmhnant Lìbhrigidh High Life na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/16/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.   progress made on the contract review and that there will be a final report for Member consideration at the 21 November 2024 meeting of the Education Committee;
ii.  the need to adjust the Service Delivery Contract scope following the Council’s introduction of the operational Delivery Plan and Highland Investment Plan;
iii. following the review of Public Service Obligations it is proposed that High Life Highland should continue to deliver all but two of the services currently delivered on behalf of the Council;
iv.  it is considered that the transfer of adult learning and youth work services to the Council would support the Council’s plans for education, employability, poverty reduction and community planning;
v.   no additional Council services have been identified as suitable for transfer to High Life Highland during the contract review;
vi.  the report to the Education Committee on 21 November 2024 will focus on the actions listed in section 7 of the report; and
vii. the High Life Highland Board was consulted on this report, in draft, at its meeting held on 28 August 2024 and feedback from the Board is reflected in the report;

and agree:-

i.   the revised scope at section 8 of the report;
ii.  that matters relating to services delivered from assets owned by the Council and operated by High Life Highland be considered as part of the Reconfiguration of Council Assets Portfolio in the Operational Delivery Plan and also the Highland Investment Plan;
iii. the commencement of the transfer process of adult learning and youth work from High Life Highland to the Council; and
iv.  that High Life Highland should continue to deliver the remaining Public Services Obligations that it operates on behalf of the Council.

6. Gaelic Education    
Foghlam Gàidhlig

There is circulated Report No EDU/17/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the growth in Gaelic education pupil numbers across Highland;
ii.  consider the challenges that increased demand for Gaelic education has created in some areas for the lifespan of the fourth iteration of the Highland Council’s Gaelic Language Plan; and
iii. discuss the two strategic priorities agreed with Bòrd na Gàidhlig for Gaelic Education in the approved statutory Highland Council Gaelic Language Plan.

7. Revenue Budget Monitoring Final Outturn 2023/24    
Fìor Thoradh Deireannach Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach 2023/24

There is circulated Report No EDU/18/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

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

8. Community Learning and Development Plan 2024-2027    
Cunntas air Plana Ionnsachadh is Leasachadh Coimhearsnachd 2024–2027

There is circulated Report No EDU/19/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.  note the content of the report; and
ii. approve the Community Learning and Development Plan (Appendix 2 of the report).

9. Learning, Teaching and Assessment Framework    
Frèam Ionnsachaidh, Teagaisg is Measaidh

There is circulated Report No EDU/20/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the expectations placed on all practitioners to ensure high quality learning, teaching and assessment;
ii.  note that the Learning, Teaching and Assessment Framework will provide guidance and support for individual schools in developing learning, teaching and assessment approaches to best meet the needs of their school communities;
iii. approve the Learning, Teaching and Assessment Framework (Appendix 1 of the report); and
iv.  note the ongoing partnership through the Northern Alliance to develop further resources for school practitioners in learning, teaching and assessment.

10. Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) Update 
Cunntas air Ga Fhaighinn Ceart airson Gach Leanabh    

There is circulated Report No EDU/21/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.   the refreshed national GIRFEC guidance;
ii.  that revised guidance will be published for Highland in the coming weeks; and
iii. that training on expected practice in assessing, planning for and supporting children and young people will be arranged locally.

11. Statutory Consultation: Final Report into Gaelic Medium Catchment Consultation – Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, Dingwall and Nairn    
Co-chomhairleachadh Reachdail: Aithisg Dheireannach mu Cho-chomhairleachadh Sgìre-sgoile Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig – Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, Inbhir Pheofharain agus Inbhir Narann

There is circulated Report No EDU/22/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   consider the proposal set out within the Consultation Report (Appendix 2 of the report) and associated appendices;
ii.  consider the representations received (Appendices 4i-4x of the report); and the report from Education Scotland (Appendices 5 and 6 of the report); and
iii. agree to recommend to the Council the creation of Gaelic Medium catchment areas for Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, Dingwall Primary School, Millbank Primary School, Inverness Royal Academy, Dingwall Academy, and Nairn Academy, on the basis set out at paragraph 1.2 of the report.

12. Statutory Consultation Exercise – Request to Proceed to Consultation on replacing the School Nurseries at Caol Primary and St. Columba’s Roman Catholic Primary with a new setting serving both schools    
Eacarsaich Co-chomhairleachaidh Reachdail – Iarrtas a Dhol air Adhart gu Co-chomhairleachadh gus na Sgoiltean-àraich aig Bun-Sgoil a’ Chaoil agus Bun-Sgoil Chaitligeach Cholm Chille a Dhùnadh agus Suidheachadh Ùr a Chur nan Àite a Bhios a’ Frithealadh an Dà Sgoil

There is circulated Report No EDU/23/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to agree to proceed to statutory consultation on the basis of the Proposal Paper attached to the report (Appendix A).

13. Statutory Consultation – Establishment of a New Primary School for the Tornagrain Area    
Co-chomhairleachadh Reachdail – Stèidheachadh Bun-sgoil Ùir airson Sgìre Thòrr na Grèine

There is circulated Report No EDU/24/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to agree to proceed to statutory consultation on the proposal set out at Appendix 2 of the report, to establish a new primary school to serve the Tornagrain housing development, with a consequential amendment to the catchment area of Croy Primary School.

14. Minutes of Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers    
Geàrr-chunntas na Comataidh Barganachaidh Ionadail do Thidsearan

The draft Minutes of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers held on 5 June 2024 are circulated for noting.