Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 4 June 2025 at 9.35 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. Statutory Consultation: Relocation of St Clement’s School    
Co-chomhairleachadh Reachdail: Ath-shuidheachadh Sgoil Naoimh Cliamhainn

There is circulated Report No EDU/9/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to agree to proceed to statutory consultation, based on the proposal attached to the report at Appendix 1.

5. Statutory Consultation: Closure of Badcaul Primary School – Final Report    
Co-chomhairleachadh Reachdail: Dùnadh Bun-Sgoil a’ Bhad Chall – Aithisg Dheireannach

There is circulated Report No EDU/10/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to agree to recommend that the Highland Council discontinues education at Badcaul Primary School, transferring its catchment to that of Ullapool Primary School. Badcaul Primary has not been operational since January 2022, and there is no evidence that the school would be viable in the future.

6. Statutory Consultation: Merger of School Nurseries at Caol Primary School and St Columba’s Roman Catholic Primary School, to create a new pre-school provision serving both schools    
Co-chomhairleachadh Reachdail: Cur còmhla Sgoiltean-àraich aig Bun-Sgoil a’ Chaoil agus Bun-Sgoil Chaitligeach Cholm Cille, gus solar ùr ro-sgoile a chruthachadh a bhios a’ frithealadh an dà sgoil

There is circulated Report No EDU/11/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to agree to recommend to the Council that the school nurseries at Caol Primary School and St. Columba’s Roman Catholic Primary School are merged to create a new pre-school provision serving both schools.

7. Statutory Consultation: Closure of Kinlochewe Primary School – Final Report 
Co-chomhairleachadh Reachdail: Dùnadh Bun-Sgoil Cheann Loch Iù – Aithisg Dheireannach 

There is circulated Report No EDU/12/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to agree to recommend that the Highland Council discontinues education at Kinlochewe Primary School, transferring its catchment to that of Gairloch Primary School.  Kinlochewe Primary has not been operational since July 2022, and there is no evidence that the school would be viable in the future.

8. Statutory Consultation: Creation of Gaelic Medium Catchment Areas for Craighill Primary School and Tain Royal Academy    
Co-chomhairleachadh Reachdail: Cruthachadh Sgìrean-sgoile Foghlaim tron Ghàidhlig airson Bun-Sgoil Chnoc na Creige agus Acadamaidh Rìoghail Bhaile Dhubhthaich

There is circulated Report No EDU/13/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to agree to recommend to the Council the creation of Gaelic Medium catchment areas in line with the proposal set out at paragraph 1.2 above, namely, overlaying the current English Medium catchments of all primary schools within the Associated School Groups of Tain Royal Academy, Invergordon Academy, Dornoch Academy and Golspie High School.

9. Service Performance Reporting for Quarter 4 2024/25    
Aithris Coileanadh Seirbheis airson Ràith 4 2024/25

There is circulated Report No EDU/14/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and approve:-

i.   the Service’s performance and risk information;
ii.  the update on the Workforce for the Future Portfolio at section 9; and
iii. the actions taken following an internal audit of financial procedures in schools at section 10 of the report.

10. Improving Relationships and Behaviour in Schools Action Plan – Update    
Plana-gnìomha airson Dàimhean agus Modh-giùlain a Leasachadh ann an Sgoiltean – Cunntas às Ùr

There is circulated Report No EDU/15/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   consider and note the work ongoing nationally in supporting better relationships and behaviour in schools;
ii.  note the evidence base that supports the approach taken in Highland to address relational issues in our schools; and
iii. agree the actions being taken in Highland to ensure our practice is in line with national recommendations.

11. Education Update    
Cunntas às Ùr mu Fhoghlam

There is circulated Report No EDU/16/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.   the content of the report and the positive progress made in improving positive destinations for all;
ii.  the planned next steps on the development of the refreshed Raising Attainment Strategy; and
iii. the ongoing progress with the restructure of the Education and Learning Service.

12. Integrated Children’s Services Board Annual Report    
Aithisg Bhliadhnail Bòrd nan Seirbheisean Cloinne Amalaichte

There is circulated Report No EDU/17/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note and comment on the Integrated Children’s Services Board Annual Report which shares the work undertaken by the children’s services planning partnership 2024/25 in delivering the Highland Integrated Children’s Services Plan 2023/2026;
ii.  note the work of the delivery groups; and
iii. note work of the Whole Family Wellbeing Programme.

13. High Life Highland Progress Report    
Aithisg Adhartais High Life na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/18/25 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 31 March 2025, 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 Appendix B of the report; and
iii. the information on the music tuition service in Appendix C of the report.

14. Minutes of Educational Trust Fund Sub-Committee    
Geàrr-chunntas Fo-Chomataidh Maoin Urras an Fhoghlaim

The draft Minutes of the Educational Trust Fund Sub-Committee on 17 March 2025 are circulated for noting.