Mr A Anderson

Mr A M Millar

Mr R Saxon

Mr T Jackson

Mr W Mowat

Mr D Allan

Mrs J Urquhart

Mrs M E Paterson

Mrs A MacLean

Mrs I McCallum

Mr H Fraser

Mr P Corbett

Mr R A C Balfour

Mr A Milne

Mrs M A MacLennan

Mr A J Dick

Mr J S Gray

Mrs J N Home

Mr J N Matheson

Mr L Fraser

Mr G Rimell

Mr T MacLennan

Dr M E M Foxley

Mr N Clark

Rev A Glass

Mr J McDonald

Mr J H Green

Mrs R Finlayson

Mrs V MacIver

Mr D W Briggs

Mr W Fulton

Mr C King

Mr B Clark

Officials in attendance:

Mr B Robertson, Director of Education, Culture and Sport

Mr H Fraser, Head of Support Services, Education, Culture and Sport

Mr D MacDonald, Head of Education 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 G Watson, Community Development Manager, Education, Culture and Sport

Mr B Hemming, Schools Estate Strategy Manager, Education, Culture and Sport

Mr L Young, Area Education Manager, Skye and Lochalsh

Miss M McCarrell, McCrone Development Officer, Education, Culture and Sport

Ms M Forsyth, Business Development Officer, Education, Culture and Sport

Mr R Campbell, Project Manager, Property and Architectural Services

Mr J Allison, Principal Administrator, Corporate Services

The Committee NOTED a list of recent successes, including the following, and AGREED that their congratulations be conveyed to those concerned:-

- Representatives of Lyreco and the Chairman presented the prizes to the winners, the runners-up and to teachers representing the schools which had taken part in the annual Lyreco Design Competition. The Committee also thanked Lyreco for their sponsorship of the competition and attendance at the meeting.

- A launch ceremony had taken place for the Active Schools Programme to mark the completion of the network of 26 full-time Primary Active School Co-ordinators who would help deliver safe and enjoyable activities to children to raise physical activity levels and promote healthy lifestyles in the Highlands.

- A £1.34 million sports facility comprising a fenced synthetic turfted pitch and sports changing pavilion was officially opened in Nairn by Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland.

- At St Joseph’s Primary School, Inverness

Duncan Grant, P7, now held all the under-12 badminton titles in Scotland

Colin Baillie, Visiting PE Teacher was awarded a Best Health Campaigner Trophy for his contribution to the promotion of health activities for Early Years pupils.

£640 had been received from Awards for All to continue with the expansion of the Homework Club and Art Club.

- At Kingussie High School

- Fynn Sterrit, S6, travelled to Australia in December to take part in the Australia 420 Sailing National Championships. He had also been invited to join the Highland Institute of Sport.

- Fergus Leith, S5, had been selected for the British Snowboarding Development Team and would be training in Switzerland ahead of competing in the European Davis Cup at Davos in December.

- Shona Ross, S1, had been selected to represent Great Britain at a European Sailing Championship in the Netherlands at Easter.

- Ruari McIntyre, S5, had been selected for the Scottish Junior Ski Team.

- A group of musicians, formed at the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music at Plockton High School, had won the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award for 2006.

- Dornoch Academy had represented Scotland in a one day visit to Auschwitz.

- The all weather pitch at Charleston Academy had been completed and was to be officially opened in January.

- Croy Primary had won a competition and had an extract from their enterprise project "A History of Croy" published in a book called A Sense of Place.

- In December, ERDF Grants completed the funding required for £1.5 million worth of new hall developments in Highland at Raasay and Boat of Garten.

- The Prince’s Trust had been awarded a Big Lottery Fund grant of £124,499 to fund a Rural Development Officer and start-up costs for youth cafes in Highland.

-25 Inverness High School pupils and 16 adults had a very successful October holiday expedition to Uganda where they worked in a local orphanage and visited several charities as well as a secondary school.

- At the recent European eTwinning Awards in Linz, Austria, the Cauldeen Primary School project "Talking through Time", together with their partner school in Malta, was awarded the first European Award in the "Best School Collaboration" category.

There had been circulated Report No ECS1/06 dated 10 January 2006 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport on Revenue Expenditure on the Education, Culture and Sport Service for the period from 1 April to 30 November 2005 and the projected year end position.

The Committee NOTED:-

1. the improvement in the projected deficit;
2. the instructions regarding budget management which had been issued to all Education, Culture and Sport Budget Holders; and
3. that work in relation to producing robust year-end projections for individual schools was being undertaken.

There had been circulated Report No ECS2/06 dated 11 January 2006 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport setting out expenditure on the Education, Culture and Sport Service for the period 1 April to 30 November 2005 as per the revised Capital Plan of 11 August 2005.

Having been informed that some slippage was anticipated, the Committee:-

NOTED the report; and

There had been circulated Report No ECS3/06 dated 9 January 2006 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport setting out strategic priorities that would face the Service in 2006.

The Director provided additional background information on each of the priorities set out in the Service Plan. One of the main challenges was the 2007 Highland Year of Culture which would require careful planning to ensure it was delivered effectively. In addition, the implications arising from the Parental Involvement Bill would affect the Service together with the development of the policy initiative for the 29 Community School groups. There would also be a need to look at educational provision given shifting demographics and other factors such as budget issues.

There had been circulated Report No ECS4/06 dated 9 January 2006 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport providing Members with an overview of the progress which Highland schools had made in improving the Standards and Quality of Education over the three year period of the Service Plan 2002/05. It also included the annual report on the National Priorities for Education for school session 2004/05 and identified action points for the Service Plan 2005 to 2008.

Comparative figures for other similar local authorities were provided as well as national data. The report set out Improvement themes under five categories, namely, Achievement for All, Participation and Inclusion, Health and Wellbeing, Structure and Resources and Performance Management. It took into account key issues the Service would face in the next two years, what the Service aimed to do, where it had succeeded, identified what action was still required and specified the plan that would take the Service forward.

In discussion, the following points were raised:-

- the importance of ensuring standards were maintained;

- Members were assured that the Scottish Executive carried out an annual survey of attainment, the last one concentrating on English, which provided comparative data for Highland;

- Local Authorities themselves were also looking at networks to measure themselves against benchmark data;

- representation should be made to the Scottish Executive on ensuring part of the core curriculum was dedicated solely to physical activity and that it did not concentrate predominantly on examination results;

- one of the aims of the curriculum review was to achieve a better balance between desk and activity based learning and some of the changes in vocational courses had already done that;

- steps would also be taken to achieve the national target of two hours of physical activity per child per week

- the importance of providing Enterprise Education to pupils was stressed;

- all teachers needed to be encouraged to progress, not just Chartered Teachers through annual professional reviews with each teacher where appropriate staff development activity could be identified.

- procedures to reduce truancy were being actively explored and detailed discussions had taken place with the Children’s Panel to find ways of working with them;

- concern was expressed at those parents who took their children on holiday during the school term particularly at important educational stages and in Highland two weeks were set aside in the Autumn to allow parents to take their children on holiday outwith the main tourist season.

Having commended the Service for the achievements made through the hard work and dedication of its staff, the Committee NOTED the Standards and Quality Report 2002/05 and AGREED:-

1. the actions proposed to seek further improvement in key identified areas of the Report; and
2. copies of the Report be distributed to School Boards, schools and libraries and placed on the Council’s website for information.

There had been circulated Report No ECS5/06 dated 6 January 2006 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided Members with details of developments in relation to vocational courses and training in schools and the role of Careers Scotland in supporting staff in schools and providing career guidance to pupils. Ms C Eagle, Director of Careers Scotland with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Mr M Mennie, Assistant Principal of North Highland College and Ms K Whittle, Head of School, Health and Social Studies at Inverness College were also in attendance.

Members were informed of the introduction of the pilot Scottish Progression Awards and the Skills for Work courses, the content and aims of each course being detailed. Particular attention was drawn to the work carried out in partnership with external bodies and the involvement of colleges in moving forward developments in vocational training. Good collaboration took place with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) although there were some areas where this could be improved. Work experience had been generally successful but it was important to ensure all schools provided the same degree of opportunity. Issues such as Health and Safety and Child protection needed to be addressed and an Officers’ Working Group had been set up with this remit.

Career Guidance also played an important role and ensured young people were in a position to develop their own plans for future employment. Careers information was complex and had changed with developments in career opportunities and improvements in the quality of information could still be made. It was recognised better information was required at local, regional and national level. A joint proposal from the Education, Culture and Sport Service and Careers Scotland had been made to the Minister for Education and Young People to address issues on the future skills required. In addition, a joint sub-group was progressing the development of a community based one day workshop which would be piloted during the current school session in the Badenoch and Strathspey area and would be open to all pupils from P6 to S2, their parents, employers and businesses. Efforts had been made to work closely with the Careers Scotland to promote UHI Degree courses to encourage young people to remain in Highland.

In discussion, points raised included the following:-

- Careers Guidance should be a lifelong process;

- training was also required to equip individuals with the skills to manage and develop their careers throughout their working life;

- a co-ordinated approach to training and careers guidance;

- providing information to young people much earlier would assist them in choosing appropriate courses of study;

- gathering and disseminating information in relation to future career opportunities was important;

- it was important that skill opportunities existed both in schools and in later life;

- routes back into training needed to be developed;

- the success of the Skills City project and the need to keep it relevant should be emphasised; and

 -a balance needed to be struck between ensuring there was a market for the career paths chosen by individuals while not dampening their enthusiasm.

The Committee:-

NOTED the range of vocational courses available to young people in Highland and the co-operation between Careers Scotland, the colleges and the Education, Culture and Sport Service in delivering a wide rage of vocational courses and career guidance to pupils in Highland schools; and

There had been circulated Report No ECS6/06 dated 14 December 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport providing background on the current arrangements for school residence provision for pupils living in the communities of Kyleakin and Drumfearn to Calligarry in South Sleat served by the A851.

Based on historic entitlements, currently 35 pupils used residence provision at Portree High School. Those from the communities of Kyleakin and Drumfearn and the Sleat peninsula also had the option of daily travel. Significant improvements had now been made to many roads in the area and the A851 would, by summer 2006, be mostly of a high quality double track standard thus reducing travelling time to Portree from the communities of Drumfearn to Calligarry. Accordingly, the proposal to remove school residence entitlement from the community of Kyleakin and from the communities from Drumfearn to Calligarry served by the A851 was suggested. Eligibility for pupils from the Ord, Tarskavaig and Achnacloich communities and Tormore and Aird of Sleat would continue.

The Committee AGREED that:-

1. that a non-statutory consultation be undertaken on removing School Residence eligibility from the community of Kyleakin and the communities from Drumfearn to Calligarry served by the A851; and
2. in order locally based consultation could commence, consultation papers be drawn up in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee for the consideration of the Skye and Lochalsh Area Committee.

There had been circulated Report No ECS7/06 dated 21 December 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport which provided background on the current arrangements for Gaelic Medium and English Medium education provision for pupils living in the Sleat area of Skye and which recommended that, in terms of the Council’s agreed procedures, a statutory consultation be carried out on the establishment of a dedicated Gaelic school at Sleat Primary School with English Medium education for pupils from the current delineated area of Sleat Primary School being provided in the future in Broadford Primary School.

The Sleat peninsula was a very active Gaelic speaking area and representations had been received asking the Council to consider the establishment of a dedicated Gaelic school at Sleat Primary. The school had a declining mainstream English Medium roll and in 2006/07 it was unlikely any English Medium pupils would enrol. In contrast, the numbers attending the Gaelic Medium unit and nursery had steadily increased.

In discussion, the need for accuracy in the consultation document was emphasised and it was suggested that instead of categorically stating that there were no likely enrolments for Primary One pupils in English Medium at Sleat Primary, it should be amended that the Council had no knowledge of any interest. It was important that all views were taken into consideration even if some of these were in the minority. However, in responding to parental demand, it was important to avoid too many composite classes or children travelling long distances. The success of Gaelic Medium education was acknowledged and it was proposed that the Council consider changing its policies accordingly.

The Committee AGREED that:-

1. a statutory consultation be undertaken on designating Sleat Primary School as a dedicated Gaelic school;
2. a statutory consultation be undertaken on changing the designated area of Broadford Primary School to include those pupils wishing to access English Medium provision within the area currently served by Sleat Primary School; and
3. in order for locally based consultation to commence, consultation papers be drawn up for the consideration of the Skye and Lochalsh Area Committee, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee.

There had been circulated Report No ECS8/06 dated 20 December 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport outlining the outcome of the statutory consultation undertaken in relation to proposals to change provision of education in Lady Lovat Primary School to consider the proposal to:-

1. the status quo remaining (Option A);
2. transferring all Gaelic Medium pupils to Mallaig Primary School in August 2006 (Option B);
3. transferring English Medium pupils to Mallaig Primary School and Lady Lovat Primary becoming a dedicated Gaelic Medium School (Option C); or
4. retaining Gaelic Medium provision in Lady Lovat for pupils from Arisaig and Morar and introducing Gaelic Medium provision in Mallaig for pupils living in the delineated area of Mallaig Primary School (Option D).

The Director explained 13 pupils were currently taught in English Medium and 37 pupils in Gaelic Medium in Lady Lovat Primary. The projected rolls for both Mallaig and Lady Lovat Primaries were detailed and showed that Mallaig Primary’s roll was expected to fall over the next few years. He referred to the excellent report Lady Lovat Primary had received from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education but which had highlighted serious accommodation issues. Following discussions with local interest groups, the Council had agreed to consult formally on issues relating to accommodation and capacity at Lady Lovat Primary. The four options available were detailed to Members and the advantages and disadvantages of each were explained. Little support had been received for retaining the status quo (Option A) or splitting the Gaelic Medium unit (Option D). The proposal for Lady Lovat Primary becoming a dedicated Gaelic School (Option C) had been favoured by most Gaelic Medium parents but he pointed out that this would have resource implications and would require the Capital Plan to be amended. It would, however, be a major step forward in providing the Council’s first entirely Gaelic Medium School. The transfer of all Gaelic medium pupils to Mallaig Primary (Option B) had been supported by the Lochaber Area Committee and the analysis of capital costs had shown it to be the most cost effective. Two classrooms were available at Mallaig Primary. Members were assured the use of these for Gaelic Medium provision would have no impact on delivery of the curriculum. Roll projections for Gaelic Medium education suggested that two classrooms would be sufficient. Taking all this into account, it was therefore recommended that the Committee:-

1. note the outcome of the formal consultation process as detailed in the report;
2. note the recommendation of the Lochaber Area Committee; and
3. agree that all Gaelic Medium pupils transfer to Mallaig Primary School as set out in option B of the statutory consultation document.

Mr C King, local Member, pointed out that currently 25 Gaelic Medium pupils travelled past Mallaig Primary en route to Lady Lovat Primary. Transferring the Gaelic Medium unit to Mallaig Primary would not only reduce travelling time for the pupils concerned but it would also strengthen Mallaig Primary’s position and support the language. He accepted the importance of keeping all Gaelic Medium pupils together and highlighted that there were two classrooms available at Mallaig. While concerns had been raised at the potential loss of the school’s IT and Music rooms and that Lady Lovat Primary might close, it was important that assurances were given that resources would not be lost and that, under the current administration, there were no plans to close Lady Lovat Primary. A visit by the Director, local Member and the Area Portfolio Holder would help to allay these fears.

Mr King’s views were supported by a number of other Members who pointed out that, by introducing Gaelic Medium education to Mallaig Primary, many of the pupils involved would be moving to their local school. It also provided an opportunity to explore the integration of Gaelic and English Medium units with a view towards establishing a bi-lingual school at Mallaig. There were also issues of achieving sustainability, not only in terms of reducing transport but by integrating both the English and Gaelic Medium elements together.

It was recognised that either option would result in a significant change to both schools. Policy issues regarding the provision of Gaelic Medium education needed to be addressed and it was highlighted that it was because of accommodation issues that Gaelic Medium was being removed from Lady Lovat Primary. It was essential to ensure that the Gaelic Medium Unit could be accommodated at Mallaig Primary given that three classrooms were used at Lady Lovat, the housing planned in the Morar area and the tight constraints of the Mallaig Primary site would prevent additional building from taking place. If Gaelic Medium education remained in Lady Lovat Primary, with English Medium pupils transferring to Mallaig Primary, it would demonstrate the Council’s commitment to Gaelic education and provide an opportunity to put into practice issues from its Gaelic Development Plan. The majority of respondents to the consultation had favoured this option and it was important that these views were taken on board.

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED:-

1. the outcome of the formal consultation process as detailed in the report; and
2. the recommendation of the Lochaber Area Committee.

With regard to the third recommendation, Mr A Anderson, seconded by Mr N Clark, MOVED that all Gaelic Medium pupils transfer to Mallaig Primary School as set out in Option B of the statutory consultation document but with Mallaig Primary School then being considered as a bi-lingual school and the situation being reviewed two years after the implementation of the change.

Mr H Fraser, seconded by Mrs M Paterson, moved as an AMENDMENT that English Medium pupils transfer to Mallaig Primary School and Lady Lovat Primary become a dedicated Gaelic Medium School as set out in Option C of the statutory consultation document.

Mr R Saxon

Mt T C Jackson

Mr W A Mowat

Mr D Allan

Mr A Anderson

Mrs I McCallum

Mr A M Millar

Mr A J Dick

Mrs J N Home

Mr J N Matheson

Mr L Fraser

Mr C King

Mr T J MacLennan

Mr N M Clark

Mr J McDonald

Mrs J Urquhart

Mrs M E Paterson

Mr H Fraser

Mr A Milne

There had been circulated Report No ECS9/06 dated 10 January 2006 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport laying out the proposed design of the Cultural Pledge.

A presentation was made to Members of the process of developing the Cultural Pledge, together with the logistics and costs involved. Details as to what might be provided were given as was how this could be delivered. The funding required was explained and proposal for addressing the shortfall that currently existed were outlined. The Cultural Pledge would be promoted through the main Highland 2007 Year of Culture Programme, printed leaflets for schools, a web based update menu and branding. There were challenges to be addressed but, in meeting these, a legacy would remain in place beyond 2007.

There had been circulated Report No ECS10/06 dated 9 January 2006 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport outlining progress in implementing the Highland Archive Strategy. The report informed Members of the submission of a Stage 1 bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the hub Highland Archive Centre and sought approval to procure the design team and to undertake the next steps identified.

Members were shown indicative drawings of the Central Archive at the Bught Park site, Inverness. The Registration Service would be co-located in the building which would house archives on the ground floor with research facilities on the first floor. It was hoped building would commence in 2007 with the facility open during 2009, the "Year of Homecoming". A design team was required to submit the Stage 2 bid for Heritage Lottery Funding in time for December 2006.

During discussion, Members expressed the view that this project was a key priority. The importance of providing adequate storage for archives both centrally and in the Areas was emphasised and it was vital to ensure material for the archives was collected. Comment was, however, made that a more inspirational design for the building should be found.

The Committee:-

NOTED:

1. current progress towards the implementation of the Highland Archive Strategy; and
2. the submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund of a Stage 1 application for the Highland Archive Centre; and

AGREED:

1. the process to procure the design team should begin immediately;
2. the Highland Archive Centre be the Service’s priority for 2007 Legacy Funding for submission to the Budget Working Group; and
3. to request that an imaginative design be developed for the building.

There had been circulated Report No ECS11/06 dated 9 January 2006 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport advising Members of a Scottish Executive consultation paper "Parental Involvement – Head Teacher and Depute Head Teacher Appointments Procedures", detailing a draft response to the Scottish Executive with regard to the consultation and suggesting that draft Highland proposals be prepared for discussion with parent bodies.

The current procedures for the appointment of Head Teacher and Depute Head Teacher posts were explained together with the changes proposed in the Parental Involvement Bill. The aim was for parents to be more involved by adopting a more flexible approach than existed under current School Board regulations. The proposals were generally welcomed but some areas of concern were highlighted. These included the lack of senior Council officer involvement in Head Teacher appointments bearing in mind the locus of the Council as legal employer. There were also financial implications arising from the proposals which required to be properly funded.

In discussion, Members emphasised the need for the Council’s response to indicate clearly the areas of concern. The lack of elected member involvement was also highlighted and it was important that they had the same rights as parents on an Appointment Panel and the same involvement in the shortleeting process. The consultation with Parent Councils on matters such as the advertising strategy did have merits but it would also prolong the process.

The Committee AGREED:-

1. to authorise the Director of Education, Culture and Sport to submit the response to the Scottish Executive on behalf of the Highland Council but with the responses being adjusted to remove ambiguity; and
2. that draft proposals on a new Highland Scheme for the appointment of Head Teacher and Depute Head Teacher posts be prepared over the next few months and discussed with parent bodies in the Spring.

There had been circulated Report No ECS12/06 dated 21 December 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport setting out the background to the current arrangements for management of smaller primary schools with a pupil roll of less than 146.

Members were advised that 135 Primary Schools were managed by class committed Head Teachers. Leadership and management roles of the Head Teacher’s duties had increased and therefore it was questionable if the traditional pattern of management of smaller primary schools remained appropriate. In addition, school rolls were declining, there were fewer applications for Primary Head posts and 50% of teaching staff would retire in the next 10 years. Also, Chartered Teacher Status meant that teachers with the relevant qualifications were paid more to remain in the classroom. Members had previously agreed a pilot management model for 15 Cluster schools and these had been well received. Three Cluster schools had also been inspected by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education who had commented positively on the arrangement. Accordingly, it was proposed that Cluster Schools be established but Members were assured consultation would take place in all cases where such an arrangement was considered. Management time would be calculated on an agreed formula and each school would also have a Care and Welfare post created from within existing resources.

In discussion, it was confirmed that genuinely special circumstances of small schools, such as Eigg Primary, would be considered on their merits to ensure that educational provision was not destabilised. Cluster groupings would also only be considered when the opportunity arose to do so. If Members were so minded, the pilot Cluster schools arrangements would be formalised but communities would be consulted before any action was taken. The benefits the model had shown were welcomed but, in persuading parents of the merits of the proposal, it was important it was approached correctly.

The Committee NOTED the progress made with the Cluster Primary School Management Model and AGREED that:-

1. the policy of establishing cluster primary schools as appropriate geographically and following consultation as set out in the report be adopted;
2. the necessary steps be taken to formalise management arrangements in the current pilot schools; and
3. discussion take place with the teaching and non teaching unions and the Head of Personnel as appropriate in order to finalise detailed arrangements.

There had been circulated Report No ECS13/06 dated 9 January 2006 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport informing Members that the Highland Adult Literacy Partnership was required to submit a plan for 2006-2008 and which proposed links with other literacy work within Education, Culture and Sport.

The Committee:-

APPROVED the Highland Adult Literacy and Numeracy strategic plan 2006-2008; and

There had been circulated Report No ECS14/06 dated 20 December 2005 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport setting out a revised Action Plan from the Highland Community Learning and Development (CLD) Strategy Partnership.

There had been circulated Report No ECS15/06 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport, concerning the request for a report made at the Committee’s meeting on 22 September 2005, giving information on schools providing swimming lessons, pupils who could swim by the end of primary school and suggesting action to ensure that almost all children in Highland start secondary school being able to swim.

Although 91.19% of pupils could swim by the end of primary school, it was important measures were taken to target non swimmers. Members were assured that a staged approach was adopted in many schools to ensure that by age 12 most pupils could swim. Access and transport, however, appeared to be two problem areas and it was suggested that the way in which pool time was allocated to schools be reviewed to ensure optimum use. Alternative means of financing transport also required investigation and the suggestion was made that Secondary School mini-buses could be lent to smaller primary schools. It was recognised that swimming did place additional pressure on the curriculum and there were also road safety considerations to take into account where pupils were within walking distance of pools.

The Committee AGREED that:-

1. further work be completed to examine good practice of intervention programmes with a view to expanding them into other swimming programmes and that continued monitoring of primary swimming programmes take place on an annual basis by the active school co-ordinators;
2. the Highland Council swimming syllabus be fully implemented in all primary swimming programmes; and
3. the very small number of schools which did not participate in the lessons investigate ways in which they could participate so that all children within the Council’s 184 schools were given the opportunity to receive swimming lessons.

There had been circulated Report No ECS16/06 dated 10 January 2006 by the Director of Education, Culture and Sport detailing discussions which had been held between Raddery School Limited and the Council, following the company’s decision to wind up, regarding a proposal to form a trust with the objective of promoting the education and care of children with special needs for an area of benefit extending to the whole of the Highlands. The report also drew attention to the process of renouncing the lease, the terms of the Raddery Trust and sought agreement to the appointment of the Chairman of the Education, Culture and Sport to represent the Education, Culture and Sport Committee’s interests on the newly formed "Raddery Trust".

The Committee:-

NOTED the contents of the report; and