PKC Education Improvement Plan 2026-2027
Perth and Kinross Council · 16 September 2026
Back to Learning and Families Committee — 16 September 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequalities ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Learning and Families Committee Date of Meeting: 16 September 2026 Report Title: PKC Education Improvement Plan 2026-2027 Report Number: 26/247 Report Author: Rhona Munro, SAC and PEF Project Lead, (FBSCommittee@pkc.gov.uk) Organisational Lead: David Macluskey, Strategic Lead – Education and Learning ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide an update on progress against the Education Improvement Plan 2025-2026 (Report No. 25/213 refers), and to provide detail on the priorities set within the Education Improvement Plan 2026-2027. The new Plan covers the academic year from August 2026 to June 2027 and requires to be submitted to the Scottish Government by 30 September 2026. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendations 3. Background/Context 4. Proposals 5. Conclusion 6. Impact and Value Assessment 7. Appendices 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 2.1 Approves the Education Improvement Plan 2026-2027. 2.2 Requests that the Strategic Lead - Education and Learning submit the Plan to the Scottish Government by 30 September 2026.
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3. Background/Context 3.1 The statutory guidance ‘Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000’ (as amended 2016), states that education authorities must prepare and publish annual plans describing the steps they intend to take to enhance equity and support school improvement, with a view to achieving the strategic priorities of the National Improvement Framework (NIF). 3.2 It is a duty under the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 to submit this Plan to Scottish Ministers each year. The Plan for 2026-2027 must be submitted to the Scottish Government by 30 September 2026. 3.3 Guidance from the Scottish Government and Education Scotland identified that schools and local authorities should: • complete annual reporting as a record of progress towards meeting improvement priorities • collaborate with stakeholders – learners, parents, carers, communities and partners including local learning communities, to inform self-evaluation and identify priorities • consider local context and circumstances when identifying priorities 3.4 Guidance also identifies that progress towards the previously identified stretch aims for 2025-2026, as detailed in the Scottish Attainment Challenge Framework for Recovery and Accelerating Progress should be embedded within the Plan. 3.5 The NIF 2026 was published in December 2025 and set out key priorities for education in the year ahead. These are: • placing the human rights and needs of every child and young person at the centre of education • improvement in children and young people’s health and wellbeing • closing the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged children and young people • improvement in skills and sustained, positive school-leaver destinations for all young people • improvement in achievement, particularly in literacy and numeracy It also states the outcomes that are expected through the NIF: • a globally respected, empowered, and responsive education system with clear accountability at every level that supports children, young people, and adult learners to thrive. The system enables the development of
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their knowledge, skills, values, and attributes that give them the best opportunity to succeed and contribute to Scotland’s society and economy • young people experiencing the benefit of schools and early years settings working in excellent partnerships with wider children’s services and other partners, families, and communities, in line with the Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) approach • inclusive and relevant curriculum and assessment which gives young people the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to society, and shape a sustainable future, while celebrating and supporting progression for all • high levels of achievement across the curriculum for all learners, with action to close the poverty-related attainment gap • highly skilled teachers and school leaders driving excellent learning, teaching and assessment for all, especially those with additional support needs (ASN) • improving relationships and behaviour, and attendance, with increased engagement in learning and a culture of dignity and respect for all • an education system engaging in digital technology to enhance all aspects of learning and teaching, supported by a digitally-skilled workforce and tackling digital inequality 4. Proposals The Plan sets out the ambition of Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) Education and Learning (E&L) Service to improve attainment and achievement and reduce inequity by prioritising improvement in: • learning and teaching / curriculum • inclusive practice / ASN transformation • leadership of change and improvement The Plan focuses on supporting delivery of national legislation, policy, strategic priorities for education, including; Support for Learning: all Our Children and all their potential; GIRFEC; Best Start, Bright Future; tackling child poverty delivery plan; and Best Start - strategic early learning and school age childcare plan 2022 to 2026. 5. Conclusion 5.1 The Learning and Families Committee is requested to review the update on progress on the 2025-2026 Plan and to approve the Plan for 2026-2027.
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6. Impact and Value Assessment 6.1 The Impact Value Assessment (IVA) undertaken in relation to this report can be viewed on the Perth and Kinross Council website via the link: Education Improvement Plan. 6.2 The Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment (EFIA) undertaken in relation to this report can be viewed in the Equality and Fairness Impact Assessments area of the Perth and Kinross Council website. 7. Appendices 7.1 Appendix 1 - Education and Learning Review of 2025-2026 7.2 Appendix 2 - Education Improvement Plan 2026-2027