Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 27 August 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. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is invited to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 26 June 2025 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Education Committee.

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

5. Revenue Budget Monitoring Report Final Outturn 2024/25 & Quarter 1 2025/26
Fìor Shuidheachadh Deireannach Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Buidseit Teachd-a-steach 2024/25 & Ràith 1 2025/26

There will follow Report No EDU/19/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

6. High Life Highland Memorandum and Articles of Association
Meòrachan agus Artaigilean Co-cheangailte High Life na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/20/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to agree to amend the Memorandum and Articles of Association as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

7. Raising Attainment Strategy Update
Cunntas às Ùr air an Ro-innleachd airson Buileachadh a Thogail

There is circulated Report No EDU/21/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the content of the report and progress made;
ii. note the draft Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy (RAAS) 2025-2028 (Appendix 1 of the report);
iii. note that action to implement the RAAS will arise from the annual Education & Learning Improvement/National Improvement Framework Plan to be brought forward to Committee in November 2025;
iv. note the summary of senior phase attainment at section 7 of the report, and that an in-depth analysis of the senior phase attainment for 2025 will be brought to Committee in November 2025; and
v. agree a Members’ seminar to be arranged in advance of the November Committee.

8. Scottish Languages Bill Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Bhile nan Cànan Albannach

There is circulated Report No EDU/22/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the report; and
ii. agree the next steps outlined in section 9 of the report.

9. Employability Service Update
Cunntas às Ùr mun t-Seirbheis So-fhastachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/23/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i. the No One Left Behind policy and financial agenda which is supporting the design and development of a unique Highland employability service. This includes the commitment to offer Specialist Employability Support for people with more intensive support needs, alongside an increasing focus on tackling child poverty through supporting parents out of poverty through increasing household income;
ii. the three-year Highland Employability Partnership Strategic Plan (2025-28) and Annual Operational and Investment Plans for 2025-26; and
iii. the implementation of a hybrid delivery model to support a mixed economy of provision and enable capacity-building and sustainability within the employability system.

10. Education Workforce Planning Progress Report
Aithisg Adhartais Planadh Sgioba-obrach Foghlaim

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

The Committee is invited to note:-

i. the Education workforce planning progress report and action plan; and
ii. the positive outcomes from the report, including:-
a. implementation of the My Highland Future Portfolio which will support workforce development and offer more career-focused opportunities;
b. 108 Community Learning and Development staff were transferred from High Life Highland into Education & Learning via TUPE;
c. progress in moving staff from fixed-term to permanent contracts in non-teaching roles, 221 moved in August 2024 and a further 156 due to move in August 2025;
d. the staff turnover rate for both Teaching and Non-Teaching staff decreased in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24;
e. Senior Management restructure and recruitment completed;
f. 100 probationer teachers were employed — an increase of 27 from the 2023/24 academic year; and
g. 20 staff completed Scottish Government’s ‘Into Headship’ programme in the last session - for teachers working in, or aspiring to, leadership roles in Scottish primary or secondary schools.

11. Performance Monitoring and Delivery Plan Update – Q1 2025/26
Cunntas às Ùr mu Sgrùdadh Coileanaidh agus mun Phlana Lìbhrigidh – R1 2025/26

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

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note:-

i. the Service’s performance and risk information; and
ii. the Delivery Plan progress information.

12. Eden Court Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Chùirt an Easbaig

There is circulated Report No EDU/26/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to note the contents of the report at Appendix 1 of the covering report.

13. Education Bill: Update
Bile an Fhoghlaim: Cunntas às Ùr

There is circulated Report No EDU/27/25 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to note the briefing report.

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 on 3 June 2025 are circulated for noting