25 February 2026: Education Committee

A meeting of the Education Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 25 February 2026 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. Highland Qualifications Scotland Presentation Policy
Poileasaidh Buileachaidh Teisteanasan Alba na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/1/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to approve the Highland Qualifications Scotland Presentation Policy.

5. Learning Estate Strategy Update
Cunntas air Ro-innleachd na h-Oighreachd Ionnsachaidh

There is circulated Report No EDU/2/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

I.   note the progress on statutory and informal consultations as outlined in sections 5 to 7 of the report;
ii.  note the current position and next steps for Learning Estate Investment Programme projects as outlined in section 8 if the report; and
iii. agree the proposed timeline and scope for the June Learning Estate Strategy update report as outlined in section 9 of the report.

6. Highland Sports Strategy Update
Cunntas air Ro-innleachd Spòrs na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No EDU/3/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note progress to date;
ii.  note emerging strategic themes;
iii. agree to progress the preparation of the Sports Strategy with the overall objectives as set out in section 8 of the report, working closely with sportscotland and partners through a Community, Leisure, and Sports Board; and
iv.  agree that regular updates on progress are reported to this Committee, including a draft strategy for wider consultation and engagement.

7. Revenue Budget Monitoring Report – Q3 2025/26
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Buidseat Teachd-a-steach – R3 2025/26

There is circulated Report No EDU/4/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   scrutinise and approve the forecast financial position for Quarter 3 2025/26 as set out in the report and appendices;
ii.  consider and note the explanations provided for any material variances and actions taken or proposed; and
iii. consider and note the update provided regarding savings delivery.

8. Quarterly Performance Monitoring Report – Q3 2025/26
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Coileanadh Ràitheil – R3 2025/26

There is circulated Report No EDU/5/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   scrutinise and note the performance information for the Education Service;
ii.  note the change to Freedom of Information reporting to align with Chief Officer structure;
iii. note the changes to presentation of the Education Service data in sections 6-8 of the report in order to more clearly show alignment between Performance Indicators and Performance Plan commitments; and
iv.  note the inclusion of Statutory Performance Indicators outwith the Performance Plan to further support transparency and scrutiny of performance reporting.

9. Early Years Strategy
Ro-innleachd nan Tràth-bhliadhnaichean

There is circulated Report No EDU/6/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   scrutinise and approve the Early Years Strategy (Appendix 2 of the report);
ii.  note the three high-level strategic priorities for the period of the Strategy; and
iii. note the next steps.

10. ACEL (Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels) Attainment Update
Cunntas Buileachaidh a thaobh Coileanadh Ìrean a’ Churraicealaim airson Sàr-mhathais
 
There is circulated Report No EDU/7/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

In addition to the report, there will be a presentation by Laura Harper, Headteacher, Newton Park Primary School, and Shona MacDonald, Depute Headteacher, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Righ.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.  the Council’s commitment to improving attainment and achievement at all stages through strategic initiatives developed in collaboration with school staff detailed in Appendix 1 of the report; and
ii. note the content of the report, the positive outcomes for young people and the focus on improving further.

11. Gaelic Education
Foghlam Gàidhlig

There is circulated Report No EDU/8/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to note:-

i.   the commitment to Gaelic specific Career Long Professional Learning (CLPL) focused workstreams alongside partnership working with Education Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and other national bodies to strengthen professional learning pathways, develop high‑quality learning resources, and align work with national Gaelic education priorities;
ii.  the positive impact of recent school improvement, attainment and achievement focused actions to encourage continued monitoring and evaluation of Gaelic initiatives in schools and their impact and effectiveness; and
iii. the Scottish Government Gaelic Capital awards and their contribution to improving Gaelic curriculum outcomes for pupils.

12. Delivery Plan Update: Person Centred Solutions Board - Early Learning and Childcare Project
Cunntas air a’ Phlana Lìbhrigidh: Bòrd Fuasglaidhean Stèidhichte air an Neach – Pròiseact Tràth-ionnsachaidh is Cùraim-chloinne

There is circulated Report No EDU/9/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the report, including progress to date and next steps.

13. Promoting and Realising Children’s Rights
A’ Brosnachadh is a’ Buileachadh Chòraichean Chloinne

There is circulated Report No EDU/10/27 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.

The Committee is invited to:-

i.   note the requirements of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act (2024) and also how it impacts on the work of Elected Members;
ii.  agree to continue to consider children’s rights in all decisions made by the Education Committee; and
iii. note some of the work ongoing to ensure children’s rights are recognised and realised across Highland.

14. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

The following draft Minutes are circulated for noting:-

i.  Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers (Annual General Meeting) – 2 December 2025; and
ii. Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers (Ordinary Meeting) – 2 December 2025.

15. Membership of Sub-Committees
Ballrachd air Fo-Chomataidhean

The Committee is invited to agree that Mr R Cross be appointed to the Highland Alliance Group vacancies on the Educational Trust Fund Sub-Committee and the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers.

16. Appointment to Highland Football Academy Trust
Cur an Dreuchd gu Urras Acadamaidh Ball-coise na Gàidhealtachd

The Committee is invited to appoint a Member to replace Ms M Hutchison on the Highland Football Academy Trust.