Education Improvement Plan 2024 - 2025
Perth and Kinross Council · 28 August 2024
Back to Learning and Families Committee — 28 August 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Perth and Kinross Council Learning and Families Committee 28 August 2024 PERTH AND KINROSS EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2024/2025 Report by Strategic Lead - Education and Learning (Report No. 24/237) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide an update on progress against the Perth and Kinross Education Improvement Plan 2023-2024 (Report No. 23/224 refers), and to provide detail on the priorities set within the Education Improvement Plan 2024-2025 (the Plan). The new Plan covers the academic year from August 2024 to June 2025 and requires to be submitted to the Scottish Government by 30 September 2024. 2. RECOMMENDATION 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: Approves the Education Improvement Plan 2024/2025; and Requests the Strategic Lead (Education and Learning) submits the Plan to the Scottish Government by 30 September 2024. 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: Section 4: Background Section 5: Proposals Section 6: Further Considerations Appendices 4. BACKGROUND 4.1 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 Education: National Improvement Framework (NIF) and improvement plan 2024. 4.2 It is a duty under the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 to submit this plan to Scottish Ministers each year. The Plan for 2024-2025 must be submitted by 30 September 2024.
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4.3 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; these might include: Supporting pupil and staff health and wellbeing; Transitions at all levels; The impact of trauma in communities; Identifying potential gaps in learning; A renewed focus on closing the poverty related attainment gap and addressing any widening of inequalities of outcome experienced by children and young people; and Any steps taken to make the provision of education more resilient and quickly adaptable to future crises. 4.4 The ‘Achieving Excellence and Equity: National Improvement Framework and improvement plan 2024’ was published in December 2023 and set out the 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; and Improvement in attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy. 5. PROPOSALS 5.1 The Education and Learning Improvement Plan 2024-25 (Appendix 1) outlines the high-level areas for improvement for all education services. It supports delivery of the five key priorities of the NIF 2024. 5.2 Scottish Government guidance highlights that self-evaluations by schools and Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings, and the views of stakeholders, should inform the actions agreed. 5.3 The Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) Education Improvement Plan 2024-25 also aligns with the PKC Corporate Plan 2022-2027 and the Tayside Regional Improvement Plan 2023-2026. 5.4 The improvement actions support the commitments contained in the PKC Corporate Delivery and Improvement Plan 2024/25 (CDIP).
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5.5 The Plan reflects PKC’s vision for our children and young people ‘Improving Lives Together’ and will be delivered in alignment with Education and Learning core values of Ambition, Compassion and Integrity. It sets out the ambition of PKC’s Education Service to improving attainment and achievement and reducing inequity by prioritising improvement in: Learning and teaching alongside our curriculum. Inclusive practice and transformation around Additional Support Needs. Leadership of change and improvement. 5.6 This Plan is underpinned by the PKC Raising Attainment Strategy 2024 - 2027. 5.7 Some key achievements and performance against the commitments in the Education Improvement Plan 2023-2024 are outlined below. Positive progress towards our attainment stretch aims in leavers achieving one qualification at SCQF Level 5 and the proportion of 16-19 year olds participating in education, employment or training. Exceeding our 2023/24 stretch aim target in primary literacy and numeracy and closing the poverty related attainment gap for leavers achieving one qualification at Level 5 and Level 6 as well as their total tariff points. The Literacy Framework has been implemented supported by a programme of professional learning including Explicitly Teaching Text Types and the National Improving Writing Programme, which are demonstrating significant improvements. Writing across Primary 1, Primary 4 and Primary 7 has increased by 2% in 2024. Headteachers are using a self-evaluation tool to audit their practice in relation to parental involvement and engagement. This is encouraging self-reflection and supporting the identification of good practice case studies with Headteachers having heightened awareness of national documents which support parental involvement and engagement. 1,615 children are currently registered to use ‘kids clubs’ and ‘Wrap- around Care (WAC)’, an increase of 118 (8%) on 2022/23, supporting parents and carers to work or take up training. 5.8 Priorities for improvement for the academic year 2023-2024 were developed following analysis of attainment performance, data on equity gaps, information from parents, pupils and staff, and evidence of impact against the actions set out in the 2023-2024 Plan. These are referenced against the NIF priorities. 5.9 The overarching priority is to raise attainment and achievement and close the equity gap as set out in the PKC Raising Attainment Strategy 2024 - 2027. Some of the actions to achieve this are to: Create guidance around improvement of Quality of Teaching in a secondary context.
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Improve recruitment and retention in Early Years through a co-ordinated approach to developing the workforce, including the young workforce. Ensure 60 schools will have achieved their Digital Schools Award, therefore ensuring that Digital Learning is at the forefront of classroom practice and will positively impact learners’ attainment. Consider the requirement for Intensive Support Provisions (ISPs) in all Local Management Groups. Increase capacity for Quality Improvement Reviews over the year (8 primary schools identified and 3 secondary schools). Develop and launch GIRFEC (Getting it Right for Every Child) Guidance. 6. FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS 6.1 Progress in delivery of the Education Improvement Plan 2024/2025 will be monitored quarterly by the Raising Attainment Board and by the Education and Learning Senior Management Team. Author Name Designation Contact Details Rhona Munro SAC and PEF Project Leader FBSCommittee@ pkc.gov.uk 01738 475000 Approved Name Designation Date Sheena Devlin Strategic Lead - Education and Learning 17 August 2024
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ANNEX 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes/None Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement Yes Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial Yes Workforce Yes Asset Management (land, property, IST) N/A Assessments Equality Impact Assessment Yes Strategic Environmental Assessment N/A Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) N/A Legal and Governance Yes Risk Yes Consultation Internal Yes External Yes Communication Communications Plan Yes 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement 1.1 This section sets out how the proposals relate to the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Community Plan/Single Outcome Agreement in terms of the following priorities: (i) Giving every child the best start in life; (ii) Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens; (iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy; (iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives; and (v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations. This report relates to Objective No. (i) and (ii). Corporate Plan 1.2 This section sets out how the proposals relate to the achievement of the Council’s Corporate Plan Objectives: (i) Giving every child the best start in life; (ii) Developing educated, responsible and informed citizens; (iii) Promoting a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy; (iv) Supporting people to lead independent, healthy and active lives; and
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(v) Creating a safe and sustainable place for future generations. This report relates to Objective No. (i) and (ii). 1.3 The report also links to the Education and Learning Service`s Vision, Values and Priorities in respect of the following key Priority area: Learning and Achievement 2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 Any financial implications in taking forward the actions within the Education Improvement Plan will be met from the Education and Learning revenue budget. Workforce 2.2 The Head of Human Resources (HR) has been consulted, and HR colleagues work with the service to deliver on the ambitions contained within the Plan. Asset Management (land, property, IT) 2.3 The Strategic Lead for Information Technology (IT) has been consulted on any relevant IT Asset Management requirements. 3. Assessments 3.1 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Carrying out Equality Impact Assessments for plans and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties. The Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) undertaken in relation to this report is available as Appendix 2 and can also be viewed by clicking here. 3.3.1 The proposals have been considered under the Corporate Equalities Impact Assessment process (EqIA) with the following outcome: (i) Assessed as relevant and the following positive outcomes expected following implementation: Raise attainment and reduce equity gap. Improve health and wellbeing. Improve inclusion. Improve positive destinations.
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Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.2 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. 3.2.1 The proposals have been considered under the Act; however, no further action is required as it does not qualify as a PPS as defined by the Act and is therefore exempt. Sustainability 3.3 Under the provisions of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003, the Council has to discharge its duties in a way which contributes to the achievement of sustainable development. Under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 the Council also has a duty relating to climate change and, in exercising its functions must act: In the way best calculated to delivery of the Act’s emissions reduction targets. In the way best calculated to deliver any statutory adaption programmes. In a way that it considers most sustainable. 3.3.1 Not applicable. Legal and Governance 3.4 N/A 3.5 N/A Risk 3.6 A risk register is being compiled to support this Plan. 4. Consultation Internal 4.1 Consultation and engagement has taken place with Headteachers, Trade Unions and professional associations, parents and carers, over the course of the year. Their views have been sought on the main aspects of the Plan. The full Plan will be shared with key stakeholders in Term 1 of the next academic session in August 2024. External 4.2 This report will be shared with the Scottish Government for review. This report will also be shared with the Senior Regional Advisor from Education Scotland.
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5. Communication 5.1 A communication plan has been developed to support the engagement of key stakeholders and to communicate key messages to the wider public. This plan includes a mix of network and parent forums, sending out to all schools and settings, and the use of social media. 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS 2.1 The following background papers, as defined by Section 50D of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (and not containing confidential or exempt information) were relied on to a material extent in preparing the above report: • Change programme - The Promise • Additional Support for Learning review: action plan - November 2022 update - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) Education: National Improvement Framework and improvement plan 2024 - Scottish Government • Putting Learners at the Centre: Towards a Future Vision for Scottish Education - Scottish Government • Realising the Ambition - Education Scotland • Best Start, Bright Futures: tackling child poverty delivery plan 2022 to 2026 - Scottish Government • Cost of the School Day - Child Poverty Action Group • Scottish Attainment Challenge: framework for recovery and accelerating progress - gov.scot • Care Experienced Children and Young People Fund: operational guidance 2023 to 2024 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) 3. APPENDICES 3.1 Appendix 1 - Education and Learning Improvement Plan 2024-2025