Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 21 November 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
Chief Officer – Legal and Corporate 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. Supporting the Education of Children from Armed Forces Families
A’ Toirt Taic do dh’Fhoghlam Chloinne bho Theaghlaichean nam Feachdan Armaichte

There is circulated Report No EDU/25/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

In addition to the report, there will be a presentation by Lou Kinnear, Promoting Positive Relationships Coordinator.

The Committee is invited to note:-
i.   the information about the service that the Military Liaison Group (Education) provides;
ii.  the potential impact of challenges and barriers that may be faced by children and young people from Armed Forces families; and
iii. the support, resourcing and training that the Military Education Group (Education) provides which can be signposted to families, educators, and communities.

5. Highland Youth Convener Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Neach-gairm Òigridh na Gàidhealtachd

Lauren McKittrick, Highland Youth Convener, will deliver a presentation sharing her action plan for the year ahead and an update on the progress she has made since taking up the Youth Convener role in September.

6. Senior Phase Attainment and Scrutiny (Session 2023-24)
Buileachadh is Sgrùdadh na Gàidhealtachd (Seisean 2023-24) ann am Frèam Creideis & Theisteanasan na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No EDU/26/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note Highland’s Senior Phase Attainment for session 2023/24;
ii.  agree that the Raising Attainment Action Plan will be revised to ensure all secondary schools and partners are working collaboratively to develop improvements and evidence progress and impact; and
iii. note that the delivery and impact of the revised Raising Attainment Action Plan will be monitored by a Raising Attainment Board which will provide direction, guidance and governance for the work required.

7. Service Performance Reporting and Quarter 2 Monitoring – 1 July 2024 to 30 September 2024
Toradh Deireannach Teachd-a-steach Ràith 1 & Ro-aithris Ràith 2

There is circulated Report No EDU/27/24 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. High Life Highland Progress Report
Aithisg Adhartais High Life na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/28/24 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 2024, including HLH’s contributions to the implementation of the Highland Council Corporate Plan in Appendix A of the report;
ii.  the general updates provided in part 2 of the report; 
iii. that HLH continues to deliver Public Service Obligations on behalf of the Highland Council as set out in the Service Delivery Contract; and
iv.  the information on HLH’s contributions to the national “Physical activity for health: framework”.

9. High Life Highland (HLH) Service Delivery Contract Review
Ath-sgrùdadh Cùmhnant Lìbhrigeadh Seirbheis High Life na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/29/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.   that the HLH Board was consulted on the report, in draft, at a special meeting held on 25 October 2024 and feedback from the Board is reflected in the report; 
ii.  the arrangements for properties and vehicles associated with the adult learning and youth work services in Appendix 1 of the report; 
iii. that the performance reporting required of HLH by the Council has been updated as a result of the Service Delivery Contract review and has been included in the revised contract in Appendix 2 (to follow) of the report; 
iv.  that the service level agreements which specify the services the Council provides to HLH to allow it to operate will be reviewed by Council and HLH officers over the course of the coming year; and 
v.   that specialist legal advice on the overall arrangement/legal framework has been sought by both organisations and the arrangement continues to meet all legal requirements; and 
vi.  agree the revised Service Delivery Contract in Appendix 2 of the report subject to final legal checks following comment by both the HLH Board and the Education Committee at this meeting.

10. Briefing Paper - Education (Scotland) Bill
Pàipear Brath-ullachaidh – Bile Foghlaim (Alba)

There is circulated Report No EDU/30/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to note the contents of the report, which provides an overview of the key proposals in the Education (Scotland) Bill and outlines potential impacts on governance, qualifications, and education inspection.

11. National Improvement Framework (NIF) Annual Report
Aithisg Bhliadhnail an Fhrèam-obrach Leasachaidh Nàiseanta

There is circulated Report No EDU/31/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.   the Education and Learning Annual Report 2023-2024 (Appendix 1 of the report);
ii.  the steps being taken to secure continuous improvement in session 2024/25 (Appendix 1 of the report); and
iii. that the progress report and Improvement Plan has been submitted to the Scottish Government, in line with the Local Authority’s statutory requirements.

12. Community Learning and Development Annual Report – October 2023 to September 2024
Aithisg Bhliadhnail Ionnsachadh agus Leasachadh Coimhearsnachd – Dàmhair 2023 gu Sultain 2024

There is circulated Report No EDU/32/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to note the progress, including key delivery achievements, made in year three of the Highland Community Learning and Development Plan 2021-2024.

13. Educational Trusts
Urrasan Foghlaim 

There is circulated Report No EDU/33/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the work undertaken on behalf of Elected Members (the Trustees) to update the various trust schemes;
ii. approve the formation of the Educational Trust Fund Sub-Committee, to meet twice a year to receive trust reports and make decisions on grants, bursaries, and scholarships; and
iii. approve the proposed remit, as set out in section 8.4 of the report, and membership (to be tabled at the meeting) of the Sub-Committee.

14. Statutory Consultation: Request to proceed to statutory consultation on the proposed closure of Kinlochewe Primary School
Co-chomhairleachadh Reachdail: Iarrtas a dhol air adhart gu co-chomhairleachadh reachdail mu mholadh Bun-Sgoil Cheann Loch Iù a dhùnadh

There is circulated Report No EDU/34/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to agree to proceed to statutory consultation on the basis of the Proposal attached to the report.

15. Statutory Consultation: Request to proceed to statutory consultation on the creation of a Gaelic Medium catchment area for the new Tain Primary School
Co-chomhairleachadh Reachdail: Iarrtas a dhol air adhart gu co-chomhairleachadh reachdail airson sgìre-sgoile Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig a chruthachadh airson Bun-Sgoil ùr Bhaile Dhubhthaich

There is circulated Report No EDU/35/24 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to agree to proceed to statutory consultation on the basis of the Proposal attached to the report.

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

The revised membership, in accordance with the political formula, will be tabled at the meeting.