| THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL EDUCATION,
CULTURE AND SPORT COMMITTEE |
| Minutes of Meeting of the Education,
Culture and Sport Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council
Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Thursday 11 August, 2005
at 10.30 a.m. |
| PRESENT |
|
|
Mr A Anderson
Mr A M Millar
Mr R Saxon
Mr T Jackson
Ms K MacNab
Mr W Mowat
Mrs A L Magee
Mr D Allan
Mrs J Urquhart
Mr R W Durham
Mrs M E Paterson
Mr D Chisholm
Ms A MacLean
Mrs I McCallum
Mr H Fraser
Mrs I Campbell |
Mr P Corbett
Mr R Balfour
Mrs M C Davidson
Mr W J Smith
Mr A Milne
Mrs M MacLennan
Mr J S Gray
Mr J N Matheson
Mr L Fraser
Mrs S Slimon
Mr T MacLennan
Dr M E M Foxley
Mr N M Clark
Rev A Sinclair
Mr J McDonald |
| NON-MEMBERS ALSO PRESENT: |
|
Mr D Mackay
Mr D C M Flear
Mr J H Green
Mr G M Smith
Mr S Mackay
Mr W J Ross
Mr A Torrance
Mr D W Briggs
Mrs V MacIver
Mr D W Briggs
Mr M Macmillan
Dr D Alston |
Mr B Barclay
Mr J Laing
Mrs H Carmichael
Mr J Ford
Mr R Lyon
Mr C L Goodman
Mrs G McCreath
Mr C King
Mr B Clark
Mrs O J Macdonald
Mr B J Murphy
Mr A R McFarlane Slack |
|
Officials in attendance:
Mr B Robertson, Director of
Education, Culture and Sport
Mr D MacDonald, Head of
Education Services, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr H Fraser, Head of Support
Services, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr I Murray, Head of
Community Learning and Leisure, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr R MacKenzie, Education,
Culture and Sport Finance Manager |
|
Mr C Phillips, Lifelong
Learning Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr B Hemming, Schools Estate
Strategy Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mrs J Graham, External
Funding Manager, Education, Culture and Sport
Mr R Campbell, Project
Manager, Property and Architectural Services
Mr J Allison, Principal
Administrator, Corporate Services
Miss J Maclennan, Committee
Administrator, Corporate Services
|
| Mr A Anderson in the Chair |
| BUSINESS An asterisk in the margin denotes a
recommendation to the Council. All decisions with no marking in the
margin are delegated to the Committee |
| PRELIMINARIES Rev A Sinclair opened the
meeting with prayer. |
| 1. |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr F R M Keith (OCD),
Mr A J Dick, Mrs J N Home (OCD) and Mr G Rimmel. |
| |
|
| 2. |
OUTCOME OF CONSULTATION ON
THE FUTURE OF CONON AND MARYBURGH PRIMARY SCHOOLS There had been
circulated Report No ECS44/05 dated 28 July, 2005 by the Director of
Education, Culture and Sport outlining the outcome of the statutory
consultation undertaken to consider the proposals to:
 | (i) amalgamate Maryburgh Primary School and Conon Primary School
and to build a new school on the existing Conon Primary School site;
or |
| (ii) amalgamate Maryburgh Primary School and Conon Primary
School and to build a new school on a new site yet to be identified
within the delineated areas covered by the two schools. |
Prior to debate, the Chairman reported that, arising from this
Consultation exercise, important lessons had been learnt. Consequently,
he felt the time was now right for a review to be undertaken on the
process which could include the independent chairing of formal public
consultation meetings and the best way to ensure that all stakeholders
understood the purpose, reasoning and criteria used for policies and
consultations.
Turning to the report, the Director made a presentation to Members,
based on that used at the public meetings, which outlined the
consultation process, the context within which the review had taken
place, the criteria which had been used and the projected rolls for
Conon and Maryburgh Primary Schools. There had been two informal
meetings with the Maryburgh and Conon communities, two formal statutory
meetings and an additional meeting with Members of the Ross and Cromarty
Area Committee plus community representatives. In formulating his
recommendation to amalgamate both schools and to build a new school on
the existing Conon Primary School site, the various alternative options,
together with the implications, had been taken into consideration as had
the Council’s policy to provide 21st Century Schools. The
cost of each proposal was detailed to Members as were factors such as
choice of site, timescales, staff and curriculum, community facilities
and pupil welfare. Generally, responses from Conon had been in favour of
amalgamation while those in Maryburgh were against, citing the impact
the amalgamation would have on the Maryburgh community as one of the
main reasons. However, he believed the status quo was untenable and that
there were educational benefits to be gained for future generations from
an amalgamation. It would also offer Best Value. He acknowledged that
there had been an indication in the past that Maryburgh was to have been
considered for a new school under the Private Public Partnership (PPP2)
agreement but, in order not to weaken the business case submitted to the
Scottish Executive, it had been necessary to remove it from the package
proposed by the Highland Council. Maryburgh Primary School was now in an
unacceptable condition and the proposal to amalgamate it with Conon
Primary, only 1.2 miles away, would address both this and the poor
condition of Conon school. He reminded Members of the criteria they had
established for entry into the Capital Plan. Although concerns over the
size of the amalgamated school had been raised, there were primary
schools with higher rolls and, nationally, it was well within the norm.
Other examples in Highland where amalgamation had worked well were also
highlighted. He did have some concerns in relation to transport and road
safety for pupils and it would be his recommendation that school
transport would be provided until such time as a Safer Routes to School
exercise had been completed and solutions put in place.
Mrs A MacLean, local Member, highlighted the considerable response to
the consultation. It was her belief however, that in order for a correct
decision to be arrived at, the consultation had to be meaningful and
there were people in Maryburgh who did not believe that this had been
the case. They had argued that their views had not been taken into
account and that, by the time the meeting was held in Maryburgh, the
decision had already been taken. A wide range of people in the Maryburgh
community had written in to express their views, including school
children whose views also had to be taken into account. She argued that
Best Value was not confined solely to cost and there were other options
that had not been considered. Maryburgh had been assured that if they
did not want an amalgamated school they would not have one forced upon
them. The people of Conon Bridge, in contrast, were supportive of the
proposal as long as the school incorporated community facilities; they
acknowledged, however, that Maryburgh had a right to fight to retain
their school.
During the course of discussion other Members concurred with the
views expressed by the local Member opposing the amalgamation and added
their views, as follows:-
| Maryburgh was an active and vibrant community with the school at
the centre; |
| The school had an enviable ethos with a high level of
attainment; |
| Maryburgh and Conon were two distinct and separate communities; |
| Other possible sites had all been eliminated while the Conon
Primary site was one of the furthest from Maryburgh; |
| Amalgamation would result in Conon Primary School being
demolished despite its Category B status and only having been built
in the 1970s and the suggested savings were therefore questioned; |
| Promises had been made previously to Maryburgh that they would
be given a new school; |
| The route to the new school from Maryburgh would be dangerous; |
| Some schools previously threatened with closure due to
decreasing rolls were now thriving; |
| There appeared to be a contradiction in policies which on the
one hand required community consultation but on the other
recommended against what communities wanted. |
Other Members addressed the following issues:-
| Financial resources were an important factor; |
| Any decision taken had to be defensible, especially on its
effect to the Capital Plan; |
| A 21st Century Schools Strategy had only recently
been approved and to disregard it now would have a detrimental
affect on other schools; |
| The on-going maintenance costs of both schools were likely, in
the long term, to exceed the costs of a new amalgamated school; |
| If a new school was provided solely for Maryburgh, with Conon
simply being upgraded, it was likely this too would prove more
expensive; |
| Under the Scottish Executive guidelines, it was unlikely that
any financial support would be provided to the Council for anything
other than a combined school; |
| There was a danger, if the amalgamation was rejected, that an
opportunity would be lost to teach pupils in a proper and
constructive learning environment; |
| The proposal offered a chance to improve circumstances for both
pupils in Conon and Maryburgh; |
| Maryburgh Primary was no longer fit for purpose and, although in
better condition, Conon Primary also required upgrading as a result
of bad design; |
| Amalgamations had worked well in other areas of the Highlands
and in many instances the communities were as vibrant, or even more
so, as they had ever been; |
| There were many benefits which could be achieved if a new school
was established, not least the provision of improved community
facilities; |
| The communities were adjacent to each other separated only by a
river and the comparison was made to Dingwall, lying only 2 miles
away, which had a population of 5000 served by one very successful
school; |
| In many areas pupils had to travel further than would be
necessary from Maryburgh to Conon but the problems associated with
road safety in the area were acknowledged and Safer Routes to
Schools measures should be carried out as soon as possible; |
| Although the Conon Primary site did fit many of the required
criteria, it was accepted by some that, from a community
perspective, it might not be ideal and an alternative site should be
considered which would be more acceptable to both communities. |
Responding to questions raised, the Director of Education, Culture
and Sport confirmed that it was possible that money would require to be
spent on Maryburgh Primary School at very short notice. In addition,
although it had worked successfully elsewhere, the option of retaining
the Victorian part of Maryburgh Primary School and building on an annex
would not prove suitable given the scale involved. It was pointed out
that the Scottish Executive had made it very clear that they would be
closely examining Councils’ Estate Strategies as a starting point for
allocations of funding and, in accepting Best Value was not just about
money, Audit Scotland too would look carefully at how the School
Building Improvement Fund was used. Regarding the revenue implications,
Members were provided with information on comparisons made in relation
to staff, travel, energy and rates costs of retaining two schools and
providing a larger amalgamated school and that they were both broadly
similar. However, a larger school would provide an improved teaching
environment and promoted post staff opportunities in line with current
requirements.
Thereafter, Mrs A MacLean, seconded by Mrs I McCallum, MOVED
that, in recognition of the views expressed during the consultation, the
Committee recommend to the Highland Council that Maryburgh Primary
School be refurbished and repairs made to Conon Primary School.
Mr R Durham, seconded by Mr W Mowat, moved as an AMENDMENT
that the Council approve the amalgamation of Conon and Maryburgh Primary
Schools on a new site to be determined, taking into account the Conon
Bridge Primary School as a base line comparator; and that the value of
the sale of the existing school sites be ring fenced as a contribution
to the development of the new school and community facilities and
subject to the necessary statutory consultation process.
On a vote being taken the outcome was as follows:- |
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|
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For the Motion |
| |
|
| |
Mr D Allan
Mrs M E Paterson
Mr D J Chisholm
Mrs A MacLean
Mrs I C McCallum
Mr P Corbett |
Mr R A C Balfour
Mr A Milne
Mrs M A MacLennan
Mr J N Matheson
Mr L Fraser |
| |
|
| |
For the Amendment |
| |
|
| |
Mr R Saxon
Mr T C Jackson
Ms K MacNab
Mr W A Mowat
Mrs A L Magee
Mrs J Urquhart
Mr A Anderson
Mr R W Durham
Mr A M Millar
Mr H Fraser |
Mrs I M Campbell
Mrs M C Davidson
Mr W J Smith
Mr J S Gray
Mrs S Slimon
Mr T J MacLennan
Dr M E M Foxley
Mr N M Clark
Mr J McDonald
Rev A Sinclair |
| |
|
| |
The Amendment was CARRIED
by 20 votes to 11. |
| |
Decision: |
| * |
The Committee, therefore,
agreed to RECOMMEND that: (a) the Council approve the
amalgamation of Conon and Maryburgh Primary Schools on a new site to be
determined taking into account the Conon Bridge Primary School site as a
base line comparator; and that the value of the sale of the existing
school sites be ring fenced as a contribution to the development of the
new school and community facilities and subject to the necessary
statutory consultation process; and
(b) following the current consultation process, further consideration
be given to:-
| (i) the possibility of using an independent chair at formal
consultation meetings on changes to educational provision; and |
| (ii) the need to ensure that Council Members and the public
clearly understood the policies being adopted by the Council with
regard to 21st Century Schools and the criteria used to
assess the provision required. |
|
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| 3. |
SUCCESSES
The Committee NOTED a list of recent successes, including the
following, and AGREED that their congratulations be conveyed to
those concerned:-
| Dornoch Academy pupils had been placed third in the G8
Speechmaking Competition in Perth in June returning home with a
trophy and medals. This was a close run competition with quality
entrants from many large schools across Scotland. |
| Kelsey MacDonald, Nairn Academy had gained her Scottish Honours
in golf, being selected for the under 16 squad and also possibly for
the under 18 squad. |
| Inverness High School had been one of twenty secondary schools
across Scotland to become the country’s first Schools of Ambition.
Each school chosen had committed to radical programmes of
development and would each receive substantial resources (minimum of
£100,000) to meet their plans with possible further support from the
private sector. |
| Thurso High School’s under 15 football team had won the North
Schools Cup final in May against Inverness High School. |
| At the COSLA Excellence Awards in June the Healthways Ross and
Cromarty project had won the Health Improvement Category; the Am
Baile Team had won the prestigious Scottish Executive "Delivering
Excellence Award" and Social Work Services team "Growing our Own"
had won the Securing a Workforce for the Future category. This had
been a unique achievement by any Council in scoring a hat trick of
successes at the COSLA Awards and, along with the Scottish Education
Inspirational Teacher award a week earlier to Moira MacKenzie of
Park Primary, completed an outstanding series of national accolades.
|
| Cauldeen Primary School’s recent successes had included a
"Highly Commended" in the Schools for All category at the Scottish
Education Awards, an Enhancement Award by Learning and Teaching
Scotland for Victorian Scotland and a request by the British Council
to showcase their eTwinning project work in London. |
| Pupils in classes one to four at Elgol Primary School had won
the Special Achievement Award in a national storytelling competition
run by the entertainment company Entara. The competition had been
open to more than 2,000 schools throughout Britain and the Republic
of Ireland, the prize being an exclusive day’s workshop with a
professional storyteller exploring the art of story making. |
| Team Highland had won 73 medals at the Special Olympics Great
Britain Games in Glasgow. A large percentage of medal winners were
competing in this event for the first time and rose well to the
challenges that they had faced competing against the best and more
experienced sportspeople in Britain and Europe. Special mention was
made off Liz Mappin and Susan Cowie in Athletics, Ionutsa MacLelland
and Calum Raeburn for swimming and David Mitchell for golf who all
had British best performances. Team Highland was grateful of the
support they had received from the Tulloch Group and the Highland
Council who had sponsored the Team. |
| Inverness Youth Dance Company and Durness Youth Heritage
Discovery Project had both successfully secured funding through the
national Young Roots programme enabling both groups to undertake
innovative projects to explore their local culture and heritage. |
| 2163 Excellence in Attendance Certificates had been sent out in
June for presentation to pupils with perfect attendance in session
2004/05. |
| Initial analysis of SQA results indicated that Highland pass
rates continued to exceed or equal national pass rates. Boys had
narrowed the gap between their performance and that of girls. The
overall pass rate in Standard grade was 99% compared to a national
rate of 97%. Higher results had shown a slight drop of 1% in the
number of pupils gaining one to three awards but with an increase of
1% in the number of pupils gaining five awards. One fifth year pupil
had achieved six passes at A Grade, each passed at the highest
standard. All nine pupils at the National Centre of Excellence in
traditional Music in Plockton who sat the Advanced Higher in Music
gained A passes. |
|
| 4. |
RECESS POWERS
The Committee NOTED that the Recess Powers granted by the Council
at its meeting on 23 June, 2005 had not been exercised in relation to
the business of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee.
|
| 5.
|
REVENUE BUDGET There
had been circulated the following reports on Revenue Expenditure:-
(a) Revenue Budget - Un-audited Final Outturn 2004/05
Report No ECS45/05 dated 2 August, 2005 by the Director of Education,
Culture and Sport on the outturn for the Education, Culture and Sport
Service for the year ended 31 March, 2005. The report showed that the
non devolved sector of the Service was £0.369m over-spent while the
devolved sector was £1.369 underspent with an overall underspend of £1m.
Following discussion where emphasis was placed on the need to ensure
expenditure was managed across all areas to avoid large variances, the
Committee NOTED the year end position and AGREED
continuation of the policy of expenditure restraint and income
maximisation as necessary.
(b) Education, Culture and Sport Revenue Expenditure 2005/06 -
Monitoring
Report No ECS46/05 dated 2 August, 2005 by the Director of Education,
Culture and Sport on Revenue Expenditure on the Education, Culture and
Sport Service for the period 1 April to 30 June, 2005 and the projected
year end position. At this time the report showed a projected overspend
of £0.374m (0.20%) in the non devolved sector.
After discussion where the effect of energy costs on the budget were
explained, the Committee NOTED the contents of the report and
AGREED the actions which were outlined to bring the Education,
Culture and Sport Budget in on target. |
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| 6. |
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
There had been circulated the following reports on Capital
Expenditure:-
(a) Capital Programme 2004/05 – Outturn and Capital Expenditure
2005/06 - Monitoring
Report No ECS47/05 dated 3 August, 2005 by the Director of Education,
Culture and Sport on the final outturn for the Education, Culture and
Sport Service Capital Programme for 2004/05 and providing information on
the capital expenditure for the period 1 April to 30 June, 2005. The
report also dealt with other capital issues associated with the award of
contract for adaptation to Kingussie High School and the extension of
the lease for the Library Support Unit building in Inverness.
The Director of Education, Culture and Sport explained the
significant underspend was partly due to a delay in land purchases for
the new Public Private Partnership Schools but this had been completed
for the majority of sites shortly after the closure of the year end
financial accounting. Nevertheless, a review of measures would be
undertaken to avoid such instances reoccurring in future. Alternative
procurement methods would also be investigated to ascertain to ensure
maximum benefit was achieved.
The Committee:-
| (i) NOTED the content of the report; |
| (ii) AGREED to homologate the decision to award the
contract for work at Kingussie High School associated with the lift
installation and additional works; and |
| (iii) APPROVED the lease for the Library Support Unit
building for the next 5 years on the terms identified in the report. |
(b) Education, Culture and Sport Service Capital Plan 2005/06 to
2009/10
Report No ECS48/05 dated 3 August, 2005 by the Director of Education,
Culture and Sport outlining the current status of the agreed Capital
Plan; the existing pressures and slippage associated with the Plan and
identifying the existing resources available to the Service and
proposals for a bid to the Budget Working Group for enhanced
flexibility. It also detailed proposals for specific, named projects to
be included in the Plan through to 2009/10 and for a further report to
be prepared once the outcome of the bid to the Budget Working Group was
known. In addition, a presentation was made to Members explaining these
points in more detail.
In discussion, points raised included the following:-
| Further information was required on the need for improved sport
facilities in Caithness; |
| Assurances were sought that Bower Primary and Wick and Thurso
High Schools were still included in the Capital Plan although it was
recognised that progress with them also depended on successful bids
to the Budget Working Group. Once the outcome of these bids were
known, it would be possible for these projects to be allocated to
specific years within the Plan; |
| The importance of continuing discussions regarding the Caithness
Horizons project was emphasised; |
| Following the visits by the Portfolio Holders’ Group to
Education properties in Ross and Cromarty and Lochaber, it was
requested that consideration be given to undertaking a similar trip
in Caithness and Sutherland; |
| The Service had addressed numerous issues in various schools but
there were still many which needed investment in either the short or
medium term and, to allow them to progress, it was requested that
fresh scoping exercises were undertaken, particularly for those
schools identified in previous reviews; |
| Inverness High School was in need of attention and although
applications had been made for external financial assistance towards
the costs of some repairs, e.g. the replacement of windows, any
support was likely to have conditions attached; |
| Working with communities when projects were progressed to ensure
the community as a whole was enhanced was important;. |
| The importance of ensuring strong bids to the Budget Working
Group was emphasised given that there would be competing demands
from other Services. In the case of the full upgrade of Lochaber
High School the alternative costs of rebuilding a secondary school
should be highlighted together with the likely serious functional
problems that would arise; |
| By incorporating much needed community facilities into the
proposal, a stronger case could be presented in respect of a bid in
relation to Lochaline Primary School; |
| Prior to the submission of bids to the Budget Working Group,
Area Portfolio Holders should be consulted on the content to ensure
all aspects were covered, including any local elements that might
have a bearing on the bid. |
The Committee NOTED detailed points raised by Members and the
content of the report on Community Learning and Leisure facilities and
the 2007 Highland Year of Culture and AGREED:-
| (i) the revision of the Capital Plan; |
| (ii) the development of a full upgrade of Lochaber High School
through a Flexible Funding allocation bid to the Budget Working
Group; |
| (iii) Thurso, Plockton, Farr, Wick, Charleston and Inverness
High School be the secondary school priorities from the Core Capital
Allocation; |
| (iv) the development of outline proposals for Culloden Academy
and Inverness Royal Academy through a bid to the Budget Working
Group; |
| (v) subject to success in the bid at (ii) above releasing
funding within the capital programme, the development of a combined
Maryburgh/Conon Primary School, or substitute; |
| (vi) to progress consultation for the development of Caol/Banavie,
or substitute, depending on the outcome of any future statutory
consultation; |
| (vii) a new school be built at Lochaline Primary School when
funding was available; |
| (viii) to a bid of £7.4 million per annum from 2007/08-2009/10
being made to the Budget Working Group to support the Lochaber High
School refurbishment, Secondary Schools, Primary Schools, CLL
Facilities and Energy efficient buildings; |
| (ix) a Budget Working Group Corporate Bid be developed by the
Education, Culture and Sport Service 2007 team to support Legacy
Projects; |
| (x) that those primary schools identified in the PPP 2 long list
in 2001 be the subject of a further scoping study, namely Deshar,
Bower, Uig and Kilmuir Primary Schools; and |
| (xi) a future report with a final programme be submitted to a
future meeting once the outcome of bids to the Budget Working Group
were known. |
|
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| 7. |
HIGHLAND FESTIVAL
There had been circulated Report No ECS49/05 dated 5th July,
2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport informing Members
of the current status of the Highland Festival and outlining the
negotiations that had taken place with the Board/Management Committee of
the Festival regarding the possibility of Highland 2007 organising the
Highland Festival for 2006 and 2007.
The Committee NOTED that, as Highland 2007 had declined to run
the Highland Festival in 2006 and 2007, this item was withdrawn. |
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| 8. |
VILLAGE HALL DEVELOPMENTS
There had been circulated Report No ECS50/05 dated 1 August, 2005 by the
Director of Education, Culture and Sport inviting the Committee to
consider contributing capital funding to three hall developments and to
sponsor applications to other funding sources on their behalf.
Members were informed that the Scottish Executive had withdrawn its
Capital Grants Scheme and this had particularly affected the Tarbat Hall
project. The Council were continuing to work with the organisers to meet
the ERDF eligibility threshold in time for the September bidding round
and this was echoed by the local Member who pointed out the efforts the
community was making to ensure everything was in place to allow an
application for ERDF to go forward.
Having NOTED that a levy of 1.5% was imposed on successful
ERDF applications, the Committee also AGREED to contribute:-
| (i) an additional £20,000 to Raasay Hall and sponsor an ERDF
application; |
| (ii) £50,000 to Boat of Garten Hall and sponsor an ERDF
application; and |
| (iii) £50,000 to Tarbat Hall and sponsor other applications as
appropriate if a viable funding package could be achieved. |
|
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| 9. |
PROPOSED REVIEW OF PROVISION
– LADY LOVAT PRIMARY SCHOOL In the event of a vote and in terms of
Standing Order 13.2, Mr C King had applied for and been granted a local
Member vote.
There had been circulated Report No ECS51/05 dated 3 August 2005 by
the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which recommended that, in
terms of the Council’s agreed procedures, a consultation process should
commence on addressing capacity and accommodation issues in Lady Lovat
Primary School.
Although the HMIe report had praised the quality of education offered
at the school, important weaknesses in accommodation had been
highlighted. Local informal consultation had taken place and a local
Steering Group had been formed to look at accommodation and capacity
issues at the school and it was now felt appropriate to move forward to
a formal consultation on a review of educational provision.
Members having been assured that the consultation would involve all
those who would be affected by the potential changes, the Committee
AGREED:-
| (i) that a consultation be undertaken on the future of Lady
Lovat Primary School; and |
| (ii) in order that locally based consultation could commence,
consultation papers be drawn up for the consideration of the
Lochaber Area Committee, in consultation with the Chairman and
Vice-Chairman of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee. |
|
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| 10. |
EDUCATION PROVISION IN
SCORAIG There had been circulated Report No ECS52/05 dated 1
August 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport giving
details of current educational provision in the area.
Members were informed secondary education had hitherto been the
responsibility of the independent Scoraig Teaching Group Committee with
running costs supported by a grant from Highland Council. Arising from
discussions with the Group and parents, there was now a wish for the
Highland Council to take responsibility for secondary education with the
Director of Education, Culture and Sport supporting in principle the
establishment of a 5-14 school. Pupils would be transferred to Ullapool
High School or be home-educated for the final years of secondary
education. The projected rolls for a 5-14 school were detailed, together
with anticipated costs, and it was explained that to deliver the 5-14
curriculum it would be necessary to rent part of the community building
which would require work to ensure its suitability.
The Committee APPROVED the proposal to establish a 5-14 school
on Scoraig as from 15 August 2005. |
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| 11. |
BBC LIBRARIES PARTNERSHIP
There had been circulated Report No ECS53/05 dated 1 August 2005 by the
Director of Education, Culture and Sport regarding the proposal by the
BBC to establish a new partnership with libraries throughout the UK. The
planned three year agreement between the BBC and Libraries would allow
for better planning and joint delivery to meet shared goals. If the
Highland Council entered into the partnership agreement the first
campaign to be launched would be Reading and Writing (RaW) aimed at
improving Adult Learners’ literacy skills.
In welcoming the proposals for the BBC and Libraries Partnership, the
Committee also AGREED:-
| (i) participation as an authority at the enhanced level with the
flexibility to participate in local libraries at minimum, medium or
enhanced level as appropriate; and |
| (ii) the Highland Council’s participation in the Partnership
Regional Steering Group. |
|
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| 12. |
SPECIALIST TEACHERS IN
PRIMARY SCHOOLS There had been circulated Report No ECS54/05 dated
25 May, 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on the
current position with regard to specialist teachers in primary schools,
including visiting teachers, and which offered proposals for the
improved co-ordination and deployment of specialist teachers to support
learning and teaching in the primary school.
In commenting on specific actions proposed, reference was made to the
McCrone Agreement which had reduced pupil contact time of primary
teaching staff from 25 hours per week to 23½ hours in school session
2004/05 and would reduce this further to 22½ hours with effect from
August 2006. The report emphasised the need to look at specialist
teachers in a more coherent way. Also, in relation to the delivery of
physical education as part of the Active Schools Programme and the
"Sport 21" report, the Scottish Executive had approved funding of
£100,000 towards the costs of supporting a PE Pilot Project in school
session 2005/06 and it was hoped the pilot would inform the development
of strategies to deliver 2 hours of quality PE to every child each week.
The Committee NOTED:-
| (i) the proposals for improved co-ordination and deployment of
specialist teaching staff in primary schools; |
| (ii) a further report would be prepared in Spring 2006 in order
to update Members on the monitoring and evaluation of these
developments; |
and AGREED:-
| (iii) the review of the role of the established visiting teacher
staff prior to session 2006/07. |
|
| |
|
| 13. |
MINUTES OF MEETINGS
The Committee dealt with the following Minutes of Meetings, copies of
which had been circulated as follows:-
| (i) APPROVED Minutes of Meeting of the Duncraig Castle
Working Group held on 21 June, 2005; and |
| (ii) NOTED Minutes of Meeting of the Education Transport
Appeals Committee held on 27 July, 2005. |
The meeting ended at 3.40 p.m., the Committee having adjourned for
lunch at 12.50 p.m. and the meeting having resumed at 1.45 p.m. |
| |
|
|
