Agenda
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A meeting of the Education Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 26 August 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.
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 25 June 2026 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Education Committee.
4. Good News/Outstanding Achievements
Naidheachdan Matha/Coileanaidhean Air Leth
5. Statutory Consultation Exercise – Knockbreck Primary School (Skye): Request to Proceed to Consultation on Permanent Closure
There is circulated Report No EDU/23/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to agree to proceed to statutory consultation, in terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, on a proposal to discontinue education provision at Knockbreck Primary School (Skye) and re-assign the catchment area to Dunvegan Primary School, on the basis of the Proposal Paper attached as Appendix 2 of the report.
6. Education and Learning Improvement Plan 2025–2028 - Update
Plana Leasachaidh Foghlaim agus Ionnsachaidh 2025–2028 – Cunntas às Ùr
There is circulated Report No EDU/24/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
In addition to the report, there will be a presentation by Hannah Flavell, Head Teacher, Thurso High School.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. note the content of the report and progress made;
ii. agree the draft Education and Learning Report for 2025/26 and refreshed Plan for session 2026/27 (Appendix 1 of the report);
iii. note the summary of senior phase attainment, and that an in-depth analysis of the senior phase attainment for 2026 will be brought to Committee in November 2026; and
iv. note the next steps set out in section 9 of the report.
7. Inverness Catchment Review Update
Cunntas às Ùr air Ath-sgrùdadh Sgìre-sgoile Inbhir Nis
There is circulated Report No EDU/25/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. note the current school roll forecast position across Inverness Associated School Groups;
ii. note concerns that have been raised regarding catchment arrangements within parts of Inverness;
iii. agree that officers undertake further detailed analysis of primary and secondary catchment arrangements within Inverness Royal Academy and Millburn Academy Associated School Groups; and
iv. agree that the findings of the review be reported back to a further Members’ Seminar before bringing a report to Committee setting out options, implications and recommendations arising from the review.
8. Revenue Budget Monitoring Report Final Outturn 2025/26 & Quarter 1 2026/27
Fìor Shuidheachadh Deireannach Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Teachd-a-steach 2025/26 & Ràith 1 2026/27
There is circulated Report No EDU/26/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to:-
i. scrutinise and approve the 2025/2026 final end of year outturn (Appendix 1 & 1a of the report);
ii. scrutinise and approve the forecast financial position for the year 2026/2027 as set out in the report and Appendix 2 & 2a of the report;
iii. note the explanations provided for any material variances and actions taken or proposed; and
iv. note the update provided regarding savings delivery.
9. Eden Court Update
Cunntas às Ùr air Cùirt an Easbaig
There is circulated Report No EDU/27/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
In addition to the report, there will be a presentation by the Chief Executive of Eden Court.
The Committee is invited to note the contents of the report at Appendix 1 of the covering report.
10. Delivery Plan Monitoring and Progress Update - Person Centred Solutions Q1 2026/27
Cunntas às Ùr air a’ Phlana Lìbhrigidh: Cùram-roinne Fhuasglaidhean Stèidhichte air an Neach – Cunntasan às Ùr air Tràth-ionnsachadh is Cùram-chloinne agus Seirbheisean Measaidh Niùro-leasachaidh
There is circulated Report No EDU/28/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to note:-
i. the Delivery Project updates provided in the report; and
ii. the revised format of the report, which includes the use of portfolio board project dashboards from the Performance and Risk Management System (PRMS), with accompanying project narrative sections aligned to the content of these.
11. Quarterly Performance Monitoring Report – Q1 2026/27
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Coileanadh Ràitheil – R1 2026/27
There is circulated Report No EDU/29/26 by the Assistant Chief Executive – People.
The Committee is invited to note the performance information for the Education Service.
12. Minutes of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers
Geàrr-chunntas dhen Chomataidh Bharganachaidh Ionadail do Thidsearan
The draft Minutes of the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers on 9 June 2026 are circulated for noting.