Agenda Document Pack - Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee - 01/06/2026
Perth and Kinross Council · 1 June 2026
Back to Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee — 1 June 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Ambition | Compassion | Integrity Our vision is for a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality Council Building 2 High Street Perth PH1 5PH 25/05/2026 A hybrid meeting of the Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee will be held in the Council Chamber on Monday, 01 June 2026 at 13:00. If you have any queries please contact Democratic Services on (01738) 475000 or email Committee@pkc.gov.uk. THOMAS GLEN Chief Executive Those attending the meeting are requested to ensure that all notifications are silent on their device and other devices are in silent mode. Please note that the meeting will be broadcast online and recorded. The recording will be publicly available on the Council’s website following the meeting. Members: Councillor John Rebbeck (Convener) Councillor Steven Carr (Vice-Convener) Councillor Michelle Frampton (Vice-Convener) Bailie Chris Ahern Councillor Dave Cuthbert Councillor Caroline Shiers Councillor Alan Watt Page 1 of 58
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Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee Monday, 01 June 2026 Agenda Members are reminded of their obligation to declare any financial or non- financial interest which they may have in any item on this agenda in accordance with the councillors’ code of conduct. 1 WELCOME AND APOLOGIES/SUBSTITUTES 2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 3 MINUTE OF MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LEARNING AND FAMILIES COMMITTEE OF 10 NOVEMBER 2025 FOR APPROVAL (copy herewith) 5 - 6 4 STANDARDS AND QUALITY IN SCHOOLS, LEARNING COMMUNITIES AND PRE-SCHOOL CENTRES/DAY CARE OF CHILDREN Report by Strategic Lead - Education and Learning (copy herewith 26/150) 7 - 36 5 SUMMARY REPORT ON CARE INSPECTORATE AND EDUCATION SCOTLAND INSPECTIONS Report by Strategic Lead - Learning and Families (copy herewith 26/151) 37 - 48 6 INSPECTION OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE BY THE CARE INSPECTORATE Report by Strategic Lead - Children, Families and Justice (copy herewith 26/152) 49 - 58 Page 3 of 58
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Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee Minute of Hybrid Meeting of the Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee held on Monday 10 November 2025 at 1.00pm. Present: Councillors J Rebbeck, S Carr, M Frampton, L Barrett, D Cuthbert, J Duff (substituting for Bailie C Ahern) and C Shiers. In Attendance: D Macluskey, Strategic Lead – Education and Learning; E Moran (Education and Learning); J Ballantine, Headteacher, Pitcairn Primary School and S Cowmeadow, Headteacher, Tulloch Primary School; and K Molley, A Brown and M Pasternak (all Legal and Governance). Apologies: Bailie C Ahern. Councillor J Rebbeck, Convener, Presiding. 1. Welcome and Apologies The Convener welcomed all those present to the meeting and an apology was noted as above. 2. Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest made in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. 3. Minute of Previous Meeting The minute of meeting of the Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee of 1 September 2025 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. Standards and Quality in Schools, Learning Communities and Pre- School Centres/Day Care of Children There was submitted a report by the Strategic Lead – Education and Learning (25/302) setting out the key findings following inspections of schools and nurseries by Education Scotland/His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) and of early learning and childcare (ELC) settings undertaken by the Care Inspectorate in the day care of children. Resolved: The contents of Report 25/302, be noted. 3 Page 5 of 58
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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: Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee Date of Meeting: 1 June 2026 Report Title: Standards and Quality in Schools, Learning Communities and Pre-school Centres/Day Care of Children Report Number: 26/150 Report Author: James Chiles, Performance & Improvement Officer (FBSCommittee@pkc.gov.uk) Organisational Lead: David Macluskey, Strategic Lead – Education and Learning ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 This report sets out the key findings following inspections of schools and nurseries by Education Scotland/His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) and of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings undertaken by the Care Inspectorate in the day care of children. Reporting is of inspections reported since the Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee on 10 November 2025. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendation 3. Background/Main Issues 4. Recently Published Reports 5. Performance Summary 6. Conclusion 7. Impact Value Assessment 8. Appendices 2. Recommendation It is recommended that the Sub-Committee: 2.1 Considers and comments as appropriate on the contents of the report. 4 Page 7 of 58
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3. Background/Main Issues 3.1 Education Scotland/HMIE Inspections 3.1.1 As required for the National Improvement Framework, HMIE will report on and provide grades for the following Quality Indicators (QIs) as part of full model inspections: • QI 1.3 – leadership of change; • QI 2.3 – learning, teaching and assessment; • QI 3.1 – ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion; and • QI 3.2 – raising attainment and achievement. Short model inspections focus on QIs 2.3 and 3.2. 3.2 ELC Inspections 3.2.1 ELC settings are subject to inspections from the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland and can experience joint inspections where both scrutiny bodies evaluate the quality of the provision. Due to higher levels of scrutiny in the ELC sector, it has been agreed nationally that an ELC setting which has been inspected by the Care Inspectorate will not receive an inspection by Education Scotland within 18 months. 3.2.2 The quality framework for daycare of children, childminding and school-aged childcare is framed around four key questions. Each of these include a number of QIs for actual inspection which are: • How good is our care, play and learning? • How good is our setting? • How good is our leadership? • How good is our staff team? The final key question is: What is our overall capacity for improvement? This requires a global judgement based on evidence and evaluations from all the other key areas but is not evaluated specifically. 3.2.3 Each QI is graded on a 6-point scale in which 1 = unsatisfactory, 2 = weak, 3 = adequate, 4 = good, 5 = very good and 6 = excellent, and the overall key question evaluation is based on the lowest QI rating if more than one is completed. Following the publication of Funding follows the child and the national standard for early learning and childcare providers: principles and practice, all ELC settings must gain evaluations of good or better to be able to provide funded ELC in partnership with the local authority. Page 8 of 58
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3.2.4 Recommendations and requirements may follow an inspection. • Recommendations: statements that set out actions the care service provider should take to improve or develop the quality of the service; and • Requirements: statements which set out what is required of the care service provider to comply with relevant legislation. 3.2.5 Care service providers must submit an action plan to the Care Inspectorate addressing any requirements and recommendations identified. Progress against the action plan is monitored by the Care Inspectorate through annual return and self-assessment forms submitted by the care service provider, and through subsequent inspection. 4. Recently Published Reports 4.1 Education Scotland/HMIE Inspections 4.1.1 Since the Executive Sub-Committee of Learning and Families Committee on 10 November 2025, the following reports have been published by Education Scotland1 • Comrie Primary and Nursery School Comrie Primary and Nursery School was inspected in September 2025 by Education Scotland. Education Scotland will make no further visits in connection with this inspection. The evaluations against the QIs are shown in Appendix 1. At the time of the 2025 pupil census, the school had 101 primary school children and 15 nursery school children enrolled. The primary school had a staffing complement of 6.68 full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers. The detailed summarised inspection findings for Comrie Primary School Nursery and Comrie Primary School are available on the Education Scotland website. • Moncreiffe Primary School Moncreiffe Primary School was inspected in November 2025 by Education Scotland. Education Scotland will make no further visits in connection with this inspection. The evaluations against the QIs are shown in Appendix 2. At the time of the 2025 pupil census, the school had 146 primary school children enrolled. The primary school had a staffing complement of 9.56 FTE teachers. The detailed summarised inspection findings for Moncreiffe Primary School is available on the Education Scotland website. 1 As at 31 January 2026 Page 9 of 58
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4.2 Care Inspectorate Inspections - Day Care of Children 4.2.1 A total of 3 inspections have been undertaken and published2 by the Care Inspectorate since the Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee on 10 November 2025. 4.2.2 For the 12 indicators inspected; 5 received a ‘Very Good’ grading and 7 received ‘Good’ grading. 4.3 Care Inspectorate Inspections - Kids Clubs 4.3.1 A total of 3 Kids Club inspections published3 by the Care Inspectorate since the Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee on 10 November 2025. 4.3.2 For the 12 indicators inspected; 2 received a ‘Very Good’ grading, 6 received ‘Good’ grading and 4 received a ‘Adequate’ grading. 4.4 Care Inspectorate Inspections - Childminding Services 4.4.1 A total of 1 Childminding inspection published4 by the Care Inspectorate since the Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee on 10 November 2025. 4.4.2 For the 4 indicators inspected; 3 received a ‘Very Good’ grading and 1 received ‘Good’ grading. 5. Performance Summary 5.1 Education Scotland/HMIE 5.1.1 This section provides a summary of the performance of ELC settings and schools since August 2016 in inspections undertaken by Education Scotland. Since August 2016, the inspection model has changed with QI 1.1 Self-Evaluation for Self-Improvement no longer being evaluated. 5.1.2 32 ELC providers, 45 primary schools and 5 secondary schools have been inspected since the beginning of academic session 2016/17. 5.1.3 Table 1 below gives a summary of the evaluations for each QI for all ELC, primary and secondary school inspections. 2 As at 31 January 2026 3 As at 31 January 2026 4 As at 31 January 2026 Page 10 of 58
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Table 1: Number of QI Evaluations - 2016/17 to date. ELC QI Grading 1.3 Leadership of change 2.3 Learning, teaching & assessment 3.2 Securing children’s progress 3.1 Ensuring wellbeing, equality & inclusion 1.1 Self-evaluation for self- improvement All QIs Excellent - - - - - - Very Good 6 8 9 8 - 31 Good 11 12 14 12 1 50 Satisfactory 5 7 4 2 1 19 Weak - 1 3 - - 4 Unsatisfactory - - - - - - Total 22 28 30 22 2 104 Primary Schools QI Grading 1.3 Leadership of change 2.3 Learning, teaching & assessment 3.2 Raising attainment & achievement 3.1 Ensuring wellbeing, equality & inclusion 1.1 Self-evaluation for self- improvement All QIs Excellent 1 - - 1 - 2 Very Good 8 6 10 9 3 34 Good 10 20 23 14 - 60 Satisfactory 6 12 8 1 1 25 Weak - 1 2 - - 3 Unsatisfactory - - - - - - Total 25 39 43 25 4 136 Secondary Schools QI Grading 1.3 Leadership of change 2.3 Learning, teaching & assessment 3.2 Raising attainment & achievement 3.1 Ensuring wellbeing, equality & inclusion 1.1 Self-evaluation for self- improvement All Qis Excellent - - - - - - Very Good - 1 - - - 1 Good - - 2 1 - 3 Satisfactory 3 3 2 1 - 9 Weak - 1 1 1 - 3 Unsatisfactory - - - - - - Total 3 5 5 3 0 16 5.1.4 In Perth and Kinross, there is an expectation that ELC provision and schools meet “good” evaluations in all QIs. This is higher than the national “satisfactory” expectation. Therefore, where a school or ELC setting receives less than a “good” evaluation, the Quality Improvement Officer for the school/setting works with the Headteacher/Manager to develop an action plan which will secure improvement in the areas of identified need. 5.1.5 Benchmarking data for ELC, primary and secondary inspections up to May 2025 using national and comparator authority information is shown in Appendix 3. Page 11 of 58
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5.1.6 For all ELC QIs evaluated from 2016/17 to date, 78% were graded as ‘good’ or better. 5.1.7 For all primary school QIs evaluated from 2016/17 to date, 77% were graded as ‘good’ or better. 5.1.8 For all secondary school QIs evaluated from 2016/17 to date, 25% were graded as ‘good’ or better. 5.2 Care Inspectorate 5.2.1 This section provides a summary of the performance of ELC settings in inspections carried out by the Care Inspectorate. A total of 13 Day Care services across Perth and Kinross have been inspected by the Care Inspectorate and reported to the Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee since the beginning of the financial year 2025/26. 5.2.2 Table 2 below gives a summary of the evaluations for each Key Question. A summary list of inspections, as well as benchmarking over a longer time period (since financial year 2021/22) against national and comparator data, can be found in Appendix 4. This also includes an analysis of overall evaluation statistics to give the current position of inspections. Table 2: Number of Evaluations Received in Perth and Kinross 2025/26 to Date. QI Grading How good is our care, play and learning How good is our setting How good is our staff team How good is our leadership All QIs Excellent 0 0 0 0 0 Very Good 7 6 5 4 22 Good 5 5 7 8 25 Adequate 1 2 1 1 5 Weak 0 0 0 0 0 Unsatisfactory 0 0 0 0 0 Total 13 13 13 13 52 5.2.3 There is an expectation that ELC providers meet “good” evaluations in all QIs. Therefore, where an ELC provider receives less than a “good” evaluation, the Service Manager and Quality Improvement Officer for the ELC establishment works with the Headteacher/Manager/Leader to develop an action plan which will secure improvement in the areas of identified need. 6. Conclusion 6.1 Inspection reports provide further information on the standards and quality in Perth and Kinross schools, nurseries and funded partners providing ELC. This report sets out the outcomes of Education Scotland and Care Inspectorate reports of schools and ELC settings inspected and published since last reported to the Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee on 10 November 2025. Page 12 of 58
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The overall performance of schools and ELC settings in inspections is strong, and where necessary, action plans put in place provide evidence of continuous improvement. 7. Impact and Value Assessment 7.1 This report has been classified as being an operational report and as such does not require a full Impact and Value Assessment. 8. Appendices 8.1 Appendix 1 - Inspection Report: Comrie Primary and Nursery School 8.2 Appendix 2 - Inspection Report: Moncreiffe Primary School 8.3 Appendix 3 - Summary of Education Scotland Inspections 8.4 Appendix 4 - Summary of Care Inspectorate Day Care of Children Inspections Page 13 of 58
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1 | Comrie Primary School and Nursery Class, Perth and Kinross Council, 5342627 © Crown Copyright 25 November 2025 Dear Parent/Carer In September 2025, a team of inspectors from Education Scotland visited Comrie Primary School and Nursery Class. During our visit, we talked to parents/carers and children and worked closely with the headteacher and staff. The nursery class was inspected as part of Education Scotland’s pilot inspection phase using the Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors. The inspection team found the following strengths in the school’s work. • Across the school and nursery, there are positive relationships between staff, children and families built on effective supportive and nurturing approaches. Children are proud of their school and welcoming to visitors. • In both the school and nursery, staff, partners and the wider community work together to enhance children`s learning experiences. Together, they support children well to develop important skills and knowledge and experience success. • All staff, including support staff, provide a wide range of opportunities for children to develop their skills and interests. Staff are responsive to children’s interests, actively promoting inclusive experiences and ensuring that no child is overlooked. The following areas for improvement were identified and discussed with the headteacher and a representative from Perth and Kinross Council. • Staff in the school and nursery need to work together to agree and implement effective approaches to planning learning and teaching. This should include planning learning experiences that are better matched to the needs and interests of all children. • Across the school and nursery, continue to develop approaches to assessment. This should support staff to raise children’s attainment and help children make the best possible progress. Appendix 1 4 Page 15 of 58
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2 | Comrie Primary School and Nursery Class, Perth and Kinross Council, 5342627 © Crown Copyright We gathered evidence to enable us to evaluate the school’s work using four quality indicators from How good is our school (4th edition). Quality indicators help schools, local authorities and inspectors to judge what is working well and what needs to be improved. Following the inspection of each school, the Scottish Government gathers details of our evaluations to keep track of how well Scottish schools are doing. Here are Education Scotland’s evaluations for Comrie Primary School Quality indicators for the primary stages Evaluation Learning, teaching and assessment satisfactory Raising attainment and achievement good Descriptions of the evaluations are available from: How good is our school? (4th edition), Appendix 3: The six-point scale We gathered evidence to enable us to evaluate the ELC’s work using three quality indicators from the Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors. As this inspection is part of Education Scotland’s pilot inspection phase using the Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors, these quality indicators have not been graded. Quality indicators for the nursery class Curriculum Learning, teaching and assessment Wellbeing, inclusion and equality A more detailed document called Summarised Inspection Findings (SIF) will be available on the Education Scotland website at: Comrie Primary School | Inspection Report | Education Scotland Page 16 of 58
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3 | Comrie Primary School and Nursery Class, Perth and Kinross Council, 5342627 © Crown Copyright What happens next? We are confident that the school has the capacity to continue to improve and so we will make no more visits in connection with this inspection. Perth and Kinross Council will inform parents/carers about the school’s progress as part of its arrangements for reporting on the quality of its schools. Catriona Smith HM Inspector Page 17 of 58
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1 | Moncreiffe Primary School, Perth and Kinross Council, 5340020 © Crown Copyright 20 January 2026 Dear Parent/Carer In November 2025, a team of HM Inspectors of Education visited Moncreiffe Primary School. During our visit, we talked to parents/carers and children and worked closely with the headteacher and staff. The inspection team found the following strengths in the school’s work. • The highly effective leadership of the headteacher. She fosters a culture of where expectations are high and staff work well together as a team. This is leading to significant improvements in children’s learning, behaviour and wellbeing. • Children who are confident, enthusiastic, and proud to be part of the school. They work very well together, demonstrating kindness, respect, and a strong sense of responsibility. They contribute meaningfully to school life through a wide range of leadership responsibilities. • Staff who provide engaging and supportive learning experiences that promote children’s readiness to learn and enable them to engage purposefully in their learning. • Staff who place children’s wellbeing at the centre of the school’s work. They create a nurturing, inclusive, and caring environment where positive relationships and children’s rights are promoted well. The following areas for improvement were identified and discussed with the headteacher and a representative from Perth and Kinross Council. • Staff should continue to develop and implement consistent approaches to feedback. Feedback should be clearly linked to next steps in learning and support children to reflect effectively, helping them understand themselves better as learners. • Staff should ensure that all children consistently experience their full entitlement to a broad and progressive curriculum. • Improve attainment in literacy and numeracy and across the curriculum, ensuring all children experience sufficient challenge in their learning. Appendix 2 4 Page 19 of 58
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2 | Moncreiffe Primary School, Perth and Kinross Council, 5340020 © Crown Copyright We gathered evidence to enable us to evaluate the school’s work using four quality indicators from How good is our school (4th edition). Quality indicators help schools, local authorities and inspectors to judge what is working well and what needs to be improved. Following the inspection of each school, the Scottish Government gathers details of our evaluations to keep track of how well Scottish schools are doing. Here are HMIE’s evaluations for Moncreiffe Primary School Quality indicators Evaluation Leadership of change very good Learning, teaching and assessment good Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion good Raising attainment and achievement satisfactory Descriptions of the evaluations are available from: How good is our school (4th edition) Appendix 3: The six-point scale A more detailed document called Summarised Inspection Findings (SIF) will be available on the HMIE website at: Moncreiffe Primary School | Inspection Report | His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland What happens next? We are confident that the school has the capacity to continue to improve and so we will make no more visits in connection with this inspection. Perth and Kinross Council will inform parents/carers about the school’s progress as part of its arrangements for reporting on the quality of its schools. Lorraine Shaw HM Inspector On behalf of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland Page 20 of 58
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Appendix 3: Summary of Education Scotland Inspections National and Comparator Authority1 Benchmarking 2016/17 to 2025/26 Pre-School Inspections 1 Comparator Local Authorites are Aberdeenshire, Argyll & Bute, Highland, Scottish Borders and Stirling. No comparator data currently available for 2024/25. 4 Page 21 of 58
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Primary Inspections Secondary Inspections Page 22 of 58
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Inspections from 2016/17 to date Pre-School Inspections Academic Year Name of School/Partner Provider Type Inspectio n Date Publication Date Leadership of change Learning, teaching and assessment Securing h ’ progress Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion Self- evaluation for self- improvement 2016/17 Dunning Stepping Stones Full Feb-17 Mar-17 Good Good Good Good - 2016/17 Glenlyon Primary School Full Mar-17 May-17 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good - 2016/17 Coupar Angus Primary School Follow Through Mar-17 Jun-17 - - - - - 2016/17 St Dominic's RC Primary School Full Sep-16 Nov-16 Good Good Good Very Good - 2017/18 Fossoway Pre-School Group Full May-17 Aug-17 Satisfactory Satisfactory Good Satisfactory - 2017/18 Alyth Primary School Short Jan-18 Apr-18 - - Good - Satisfactory 2017/18 Robert Douglas Memorial School Full Feb-18 Apr-18 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good - 2017/18 Honeypot Children's Nursery – Luncarty Full Feb-18 May-18 Good Good Good Good - 2017/18 The Wendy House Full May-18 Jul-18 Very Good Good Good Very Good - 2017/18 Balbeggie Primary School Full May-18 Aug-18 Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Good - 2017/18 Paint Popts Nursery Full Mar-18 Aug-18 Satisfactory Good Good Good - 2017/18 Arngask Primary School Short Jun-18 Sep-18 - - Good - Good 2018/19 Letham Primary School Full Sep-18 Oct-18 Satisfactory Weak Weak Good - 2018/19 Kinross Primary School Full Oct-18 Jan-19 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good - 2018/19 Newhill Primary School Full Jan-19 Mar-19 Good Good Good Very Good - 2018/19 Goodlyburn Primary School Full Apr-19 Jun-19 Good Satisfactory Satisfactory Good - 2018/19 Methven Primary School Short May-19 Sep-19 - Very Good Very Good - - 2019/20 Braco Primary School Short Oct-19 Dec-19 - Very Good Very Good - - 2019/20 Inchture Primary School Full Dec-19 Feb-20 Good Good Good Good - Page 23 of 58
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Academic Year Name of School/Partner Provider Type Inspectio n Date Publication Date Leadership of change Learning, teaching and assessment Securing h ’ progress Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion Self- evaluation for self- improvement 2019/20 North Muirton Primary School Short Nov-19 Mar-20 - Satisfactory Weak - - 2019/20 St Madoes Primary School Full Feb-20 Mar-20 Good Good Good Good - 2019/20 Letham Primary School Follow Through Mar-20 Jun-20 - - - - - 2022/23 Crieff Primary School Short Nov-22 Jan-23 Good Good Good Good - 2022/23 S N ’ Ep p P m School Full Dec-22 Jan-23 - Satisfactory Weak - - 2022/23 Auchtergaven Primary School Full Apr-23 Jun-23 - Satisfactory Satisfactory - - 2022/23 Invergowrie Primary School Full Mar-23 May-23 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good - 2022/23 Craigclowan Preparatory School and Pre-School Full Jan-23 Mar-23 Very Good Good Very Good Very Good - 2023/24 Craigie Primary School Short Jun-23 Sep-23 - Very Good Very Good - - 2024/25 Kinloch Rannoch Primary School Full May-24 Sep-24 Good Very Good Very Good Good - 2024/25 Stanley Primary School Full Jan-25 Mar-25 Good Good Good Good - 2024/25 Guildtown Primary School Full Mar-25 May-25 Good Good Good Good - 2024/25 Tulloch Primary School Full May-25 Sep-25 Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory - 2025/26 Comrie Primary School Follow Through Sep-25 Nov-25 - - - - - Primary Inspections Academic Year Name of School Type Inspectio n Date Publication Date Leadership of change Learning, teaching and assessment Raising attainment and achievement Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion Self- evaluation for self- improvement 2016/17 Glenlyon Primary School Full Mar-17 May-17 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good - Page 24 of 58
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Academic Year Name of School Type Inspectio n Date Publication Date Leadership of change Learning, teaching and assessment Raising attainment and achievement Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion Self- evaluation for self- improvement 2016/17 Muthill Primary School Short Feb-17 Apr-17 - - Very Good - Very Good 2016/17 Coupar Angus Primary School Follow Through Mar-17 Jun-17 - - - - - 2016/17 Ruthvenfield Primary School Full Oct-16 Dec-16 Very Good Very Good Very Good Good - 2016/17 St Dominic's RC Primary School Full Sep-16 Nov-16 Good Good Good Very Good - 2017/18 Grandtully Primary School Short Sep-17 Oct-17 - - Very Good - Very Good 2017/18 Portmoak Primary School Full Sep-17 Nov-17 Excellent Very Good Very Good Excellent - 2017/18 Alyth Primary School Short Jan-18 Apr-18 - - Satisfactory - Satisfactory 2017/18 Robert Douglas Memorial School Full Feb-18 Apr-18 Good Good Good Very Good - 2017/18 Balbeggie Primary School Full May-18 Aug-18 Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Good - 2017/18 Arngask Primary School Short Jun-18 Sep-18 - - Very Good - Very Good 2018/19 Letham Primary School Full Sep-18 Oct-18 Satisfactory Satisfactory Weak Good - 2018/19 Kinross Primary School Full Oct-18 Jan-19 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good - 2018/19 Newhill Primary School Full Jan-19 Mar-19 Good Good Good Good - 2018/19 Cleish Primary School Short Mar-19 May-19 - Good Very Good - - 2018/19 Goodlyburn Primary School Full Apr-19 Jun-19 Good Good Satisfactory Very Good - 2018/19 Burrelton Primary School Short May-19 Jun-19 - Very Good Very Good - - 2018/19 Logiealmond Primary School Full May-19 Sep-19 Good Good Good Good - 2018/19 Glendelvine Primary School Short Jun-19 Sep-19 - Good Good - - 2018/19 Methven Primary School Short May-19 Sep-19 - Satisfactory Satisfactory - - 2019/20 Braco Primary School Short Oct-19 Dec-19 - Good Good - - 2019/20 Inchture Primary School Full Dec-19 Feb-20 Very Good Good Good Very Good - 2019/20 North Muirton Primary School Short Nov-19 Mar-20 - Weak Weak - - Page 25 of 58
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Academic Year Name of School Type Inspectio n Date Publication Date Leadership of change Learning, teaching and assessment Raising attainment and achievement Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion Self- evaluation for self- improvement 2019/20 St Madoes Primary School Full Feb-20 Mar-20 Satisfactory Satisfactory Good Good - 2019/20 Letham Primary School Follow Through Mar-20 Jun-20 - - - - - 2021/22 North Muirton Primary School Follow Through Jan-22 - - - - - 2022/23 Crieff Primary School Full Nov-22 Jan-23 Very Good Good Good Good - 2022/23 S N ’ Ep p P m School Short Dec-22 Jan-23 - Satisfactory Satisfactory - - 2022/23 Auchtergaven Primary School Full Apr-23 Jun-23 - Satisfactory Satisfactory - - 2022/23 Invergowrie Primary School Full Mar-23 May-23 Satisfactory Satisfactory Good Good - 2022/23 Pitlochry High School2 Full Apr-23 Jun-23 Satisfactory Satisfactory Good Good - 2022/23 Rattray Primary School Full Feb-23 Apr-23 Very Good Good Good Good - 2023/24 Craigie Primary School Short Jun-23 Sep-23 - Good Good - - 2023/24 Abernyte Primary School Full Oct-23 Dec-23 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good - 2023/24 Collace Primary School Full Nov-23 Jan-24 Good Good Good Good - 2023/24 S N ’ Ep p P m School Follow Through Jan-24 Apr-24 - - - - - 2024/25 Kinloch Rannoch Primary School Full May-24 Sep-24 Good Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory - 2024/25 Inch View Primary School Follow Through June-24 Sep-24 - Good Good - - 2024/25 Kirkmichael Primary School Short Oct-24 Nov-24 - Good Good - - 2024/25 Stanley Primary School Full Jan-25 Mar-25 Satisfactory Satisfactory Good Good 2024/25 Meigle Primary School Full Feb-25 Mar-25 Good Good Good Very Good - 2 Graded as All Through school – results are the same for Primary & Secondary. Page 26 of 58
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Academic Year Name of School Type Inspectio n Date Publication Date Leadership of change Learning, teaching and assessment Raising attainment and achievement Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion Self- evaluation for self- improvement 2024/25 Guildtown Primary School Full Mar-25 May-25 Good Good Good Good - 2024/25 Blackford Primary School Short Apr-25 Jun-25 - Good Good - - 2024/25 Tulloch Primary School Full May-25 Sep-25 Good Good Good Very Good - 2024/25 Pitcairn Primary School Short Jun-25 Sep-25 - Satisfactory Good - - 2025/26 Comrie Primary School Full Sep-25 Nov-25 - Satisfactory Good - - 2025/26 Moncreiffe Primary School Full Nov-25 Jan-26 Very Good Good Satisfactory Good - Secondary Inspections Academic Year Name of School Type Inspection Date Publication Date Leadership of change Learning, teaching and assessment Raising attainment and achievement Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion Self- evaluation for self- improvement 2018/19 Perth High School Full Nov-18 Jan-19 Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory - 2019/20 Perth Grammar School Short Nov-19 Jan-20 - Satisfactory Weak - - 2021/22 Perth Grammar School Follow Through Dec-21 - - - - - 2022/23 Pitlochry High School3 Full Apr-23 Jun-23 Satisfactory Satisfactory Good Good - 2023/24 Perth Academy Full Nov-23 Mar-24 Satisfactory Weak Satisfactory Weak - 2024/25 Perth Academy Follow Through Feb-25 May-25 - - - - - 2024/25 Kinross High School Short Mar-25 Apr-25 - Very Good Good - - 3 Graded as All Through school – results are the same for Primary & Secondary. Page 27 of 58
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Appendix 4: Summary of Care Inspectorate Day Care of Children Inspections National and Comparator Authority Benchmarking 2021/22 to date (Comparator and National Data as of 31 January 20261) 1 All data supplied by Care Inspectorate Data Store and covers published inspections to 31/01/2026. This includes PKC Partner Provider settings for PKC and non-Local Authority supplied settings for Comparator Authorities/ National. 4 Page 29 of 58
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Overall, most ELC settings perform well. PKC perform consistently better than comparator authorities, and at national level when inspected by Care Inspectorate. Most inspections are good or better for all Quality Indicators. We are scoring above our comparator authorities and at national level. A continued focus on embedding the Experiences and Spaces Document and Family Mealtime Experience audit are both having a very positive impact on the grading for How good is our setting. The ELC Leadership programme continues to support the How good is our Leadership grading with a focus on the high standard of Quality Assurance, robust Self Evaluation and Improvement Planning. It should be noted that the Early Years Team are currently working with a number of settings to take forward action plans to address the outcomes of these inspections. Where evaluations are adequate or weak, a ‘team around the setting’ approach is taken in order to secure improvements. Currently, action plans are in for 4 settings which are supported by relevant officers. These are regularly monitored and reviewed with a final report on improvements being presented to parents. Inspections in Financial Year 2021/22 and Later under the new grading system *New inspections since the last Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning & Families Committee ≠Partner Providers who have come out of partnership since their inspection Gradings which are reported in full by exception (Unsatisfactory, Weak and Excellent) are shown in bold. Follow-up inspections and pilot inspections receive no gradings but are included in the table for completeness. Local Authority Service Name Inspection Date How good is our care, play and learning How good is our setting How good is our staff team How good is our Leadership Abernethy Primary Nursery Class 06/03/2024 Very Good Good Good Good Alyth Primary School Nursery 26/06/2023 Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Arngask Primary School Nursery Class 09/06/2025 Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Auchtergaven Primary School Nursery 06/03/2025 Good Good Very Good Good Balbeggie Nursery 09/12/2024 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Balhousie and North Muirton ELC 04/03/2022 Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Blair Atholl Primary School Nursery 29/09/2023 Very Good Good Very Good Very Good Breadalbane Academy 20/02/2024 Good Good Very Good Very Good Comrie Primary School Nursery 02/05/2023 Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Coupar Angus Primary School Nursery 13/09/2022 Good Very Good Good Very Good Dunbarney Primary School Nursery 25/05/2022 Good Good Very Good Good Page 30 of 58
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Errol Primary School Nursery 27/09/2022 Good Very Good Good Very Good Errol Primary School Nursery 23/11/2023 Good Very Good Very Good Good Fossoway Primary School Nursery 09/03/2023 Good Good Very Good Very Good Glenlyon Primary School Nursery 29/09/2023 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Goodlyburn and City of Perth Early Childhood Centre 06/03/2023 Very Good Weak Good Adequate Goodlyburn and City of Perth Early Childhood Centre 07/02/2024 Very Good Good Very Good Very Good Guildtown Primary School Nursery 22/11/2021 Very Good Very Good Good Very Good Inch View Primary School Nursery and Wrap Around Care Service 22/03/2023 Good Good Good Good Inchture Primary School Nursery 20/03/2023 Very Good Very Good Excellent Very Good Invergowrie Primary School Nursery 27/03/2025 Very Good Good Good Very Good Kinross Primary School Nursery 06/05/2025 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Kirkmichael Primary School Nursery 09/09/2023 Good Good Very Good Very Good Letham Primary School Early Childhood Centre 21/02/2023 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Logierait Primary School Nursery 06/05/2022 Very Good Very Good Good Very Good Longforgan Primary School Nursery 09/06/2022 Very Good Very Good Good Very Good Luncarty Nursery Class and Wrap Around Care 28/02/2022 Good Good Adequate Good Luncarty Nursery Class and Wrap Around Care 04/11/2022 Very Good Very Good Good Very Good Milnathort Primary School Nursery 26/04/2022 Very Good Very Good Good Very Good *Moncreiffe Primary School Nursery 03/11/2025 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Murthly Primary School Nursery 15/05/2023 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Newhill Primary School Nursery 12/05/2022 Very Good Very Good Good Very Good Oakbank Primary School Nursery 16/06/2022 Very Good Very Good Good Very Good Oakbank Primary School Nursery (Pilot) 11/03/2025 - - - - Our Lady’s RC Primary Nursery 02/05/2024 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Pitlochry High 17/11/2022 Good Very Good Good Very Good Rattray Early Childhood Centre 09/12/2022 Good Very Good Good Very Good Riverside Primary School 22/04/2022 Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Robert Douglas Memorial Primary School Nursery 18/11/2022 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Royal School of Dunkeld Primary School Nursery 25/11/2022 Very Good Good Very Good Very Good Page 31 of 58
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St. John’s Academy Nursery Class 14/03/2024 Very Good Very Good Good Good St. Ninian’s Episcopal Primary School Nursery 15/12/2021 Very Good Good Very Good Good The Community School of Auchterarder 31/05/2023 Good Good Good Very Good Tulloch Primary School Nursery 07/11/2023 Good Good Good Good Viewlands Primary Nursery School 19/05/2025 Very Good Good Very Good Good Local Authority Kid’s Clubs Service Name Inspection Date How good is our care, play and learning How good is our setting How good is our staff team How good is our Leadership Alyth Out of School Care Group 27/09/2024 Good Good Good Good *Blair Kids Club 13/11/2025 Very Good Very Good Good Good Kinnoull Kids Club 08/12/2023 Very Good Good Very Good Good Langtoon Kids Club 19/06/2024 Good Good Adequate Good *Langtoon Kids Club 11/09/2025 Good Good Good Good Milnathort Kids Club 24/02/2025 Good Good Very Good Good *Scone Kids Club 17/09/2025 Adequate Adequate Adequate Adequate St John’s Kids Club 20/03/2024 Good Very Good Good Good Village Kids Club 19/04/2024 Good Very Good Good Very Good Viewlands Kids Club 14/06/2024 Good Good Good Good Partner Providers Service Name Inspection Date How good is our care, play and learning How good is our setting How good is our staff team How good is our Leadership ABC Day Nursery 12/05/2023 Weak Adequate Adequate Unsatisfactory ABC Day Nursery 13/09/2023 Adequate Adequate Adequate Adequate ABC Day Nursery 12/02/2024 Weak Weak Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory ABC Day Nursery 12/06/2024 Adequate Adequate Adequate Adequate ABC Day Nursery (followup) 06/12/2024 - - - - ABC Day Nursery 27/05/2025 Good Good Good Very Good Page 32 of 58
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Apple Tree Nursery 04/09/2024 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Ardvreck Nursery 23/08/2022 Good Very Good Good Good Auchlone Nature Kindergarten 25/04/2023 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Bridge of Earn Nursery 05/03/2024 Good Good Very Good Very Good Bright Starts Nursery 20/05/2022 Adequate Good Adequate Adequate Bright Starts Nursery 23/05/2023 Good Good Good Good Busy Bees Nursery 22/11/2021 Very Good Good Very Good Good Cheeky Monkeys 23/05/2023 Good Good Good Good Cheeky Monkeys 26/02/2025 Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Cornerstones Nursery 26/04/2021 Good Good Good Good Cornerstones Nursery 25/07/2024 Very Good Good Very Good Very Good Country Bumpkins 17/10/2023 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Craigclowan Preparatory School Pre School 13/11/2024 Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Daisy Chain Nursery School Perth LTD 23/09/2022 Adequate Adequate Adequate Weak Daisy Chain Nursery School Perth LTD 26/05/2023 Good Good Good Good Daisy Chain Nursery School Perth LTD 02/12/2024 Good Good Good Good Doodlebugs Day Nursery (Aberuthven) 26/05/2023 Good Good Very Good Adequate Doodlebugs Day Nursery (Aberuthven) 18/09/2024 Good Good Very Good Good Doodlebugs Day Nursery (Bridge of Earn) 26/01/2024 Good Good Good Very Good Fair City Munchkins Day Nursery 05/08/2022 Adequate Good Good Good Fair City Munchkins Day Nursery 13/09/2023 Good Very Good Very Good Very Good FossoPLAY Outdoor Nursery 03/05/2022 Very Good Very Good Good Very Good Here4you Childminding 12/09/2023 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Honeypot Children’s Nursery – Almondbank 06/07/2023 Good Good Very Good Good Honeypot Children’s Nursery - Luncarty 24/08/2023 Good Very Good Good Good Humpty Dumpty Community Nursery 22/05/2024 Very Good Very Good Good Very Good Inchture Wraparound Childcare 20/01/2025 Good Good Good Good Just 4 Kidz 02/07/2021 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Just 4 Kidz 24/09/2024 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Lauriston Nursery @ Kinross 06/10/2022 Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Lauriston Nursery @ Kinross 18/09/2024 Good Very Good Very Good Good Linda Anderson 10/11/2023 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Page 33 of 58
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Little Scallywags Nursery 14/12/2021 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Little Steps Childcare 21/09/2021 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Little Steps Childcare 09/05/2024 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good *Little Steps Childcare 23/10/2025 Good Very Good Good Good Maria’s Childminding Service 22/06/2023 Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Morag Fielding 14/12/2023 Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Morrison's Academy Nursery 01/06/2022 Good Good Good Good Muirton Community Nursery 09/11/2023 Good Very Good Very Good Good Paddingtons Nursery 16/07/2024 Good Good Good Good Perth College Nursery 08/11/2021 Very Good Good Very Good Good Puddleduck Nursery 04/03/2025 Good Adequate Good Good Rosemount Nursery School Ltd 13/09/2021 Very Good Good Very Good Very Good *Snowdrops Childminding 02/09/2025 Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Swansacre Playgroup 06/02/2023 Good Good Good Very Good The Red Squirrel Children’s Nursery 06/03/2024 Good Good Very Good Good Thrive Childcare and Education Corner House Perth 23/06/2022 Adequate Adequate Adequate Adequate Thrive Childcare and Education Corner House Perth 02/08/2023 Adequate Good Adequate Adequate Thrive Childcare and Education Corner House Perth 13/06/2024 Weak Adequate Weak Adequate Thrive Childcare and Education Corner House Perth 26/11/2024 Adequate Adequate Adequate Adequate *Thrive Childcare and Education Corner House Perth 18/11/2025 Good Good Good Good Valerie Chatila 14/08/2024 Very Good Good Very Good Very Good Wild Sparks Outdoor Nursery 23/09/2024 Good Good Very Good Good Page 34 of 58
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Current Position This chart summarises the proportion of settings that have a Good or better rating, based on the latest inspection for each indicator, and therefore reflects the current gradings of Early Learning and Childcare services in PKC. Page 35 of 58
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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: Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee (Scrutiny and Performance Committee (25 March 2026)) Date of Meeting: 1 June 2026 Report Title: Summary Report on Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland Inspections Report Number: 26/151 Report Author(s): James Chiles, Performance & Improvement Officer, (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 overview of the performance of Education and Learning services inspected and reported on over the past year by the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland, since the previous report of this type in 2025, and to set out the service’s approach to implementing improvement actions arising out of inspection. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendation 3. Background 4. Summary of Inspections 5. Conclusion 6. Impact Value Assessment 7. Appendices 2. Recommendation It is recommended that the Sub-Committee: 2.1 Scrutinises and comments as appropriate on the contents of the report. 5 Page 37 of 58
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3. Background 3.1 Care Inspectorate 3.1.1 Regulated care services in Scotland are inspected by the Care Inspectorate using a range of quality frameworks, each with key questions and quality indicators. Services are measured against the National Health and Social Care Standards. 3.1.2 Where inspected, each key question and contributing quality indicator is graded on a six-point scale as follows: 1. Unsatisfactory 2. Weak 3. Adequate 4. Good 5. Very Good 6. Excellent 3.1.3 The updated quality framework for daycare of children, childminding and school-aged childcare has been in place for inspections carried out since 1 June 2022. 3.1.4 The framework is framed around four key questions. Each of these include a number of quality indicators for actual inspection which are: • How good is our care, play and learning? • How good is our setting? • How good is our leadership? • How good is our staff team? The final key question is: What is our overall capacity for improvement? This requires a global judgement based on evidence and evaluations from all the other key areas but is not evaluated specifically. 3.1.5 The Care Inspectorate conducts unannounced inspections for all regulated services as the main inspection method, unless there are practical reasons that this is not appropriate. There are longer intervals between inspections for better performing services and a greater focus on risk-based inspections for poorly performing and high-risk services, such as those which provide 24-hour residential care. 3.1.6 Following an inspection, the Care Inspectorate publishes a report that may set out a series of: • Recommendations: statements that set out actions that the care service provider should take to improve or develop the quality of the service; and • Requirements: statements which set out what is required of the care service provider to comply with relevant legislation. Page 38 of 58
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3.1.7 Care service providers must submit an action plan to the Care Inspectorate addressing any requirements and recommendations identified. Progress against the action plan is monitored by the Care Inspectorate through annual return and self-assessment forms submitted by the care service provider and through subsequent inspection. 3.2 Education Scotland 3.2.1 Education Scotland inspects and reports on the quality of education in Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings, primary schools, secondary schools, special schools, community learning and development services, colleges, and residential educational provision. 3.2.2 ELC settings are subject to inspection by both the Care Inspectorate, and Education Scotland. There are overlaps between the two inspection frameworks, and sometimes inspections are carried out on a joint basis, but in general, Care Inspectorate inspections focus on the care aspects of service provision, and Education Scotland have a focus on Education and Learning. 3.2.3 For ELC inspections, the joint Quality improvement framework for the early learning and childcare sectors framework is used. For school inspections, a selection of the How good is our school? (HGIOS4) quality indicators are evaluated on a six-point scale. 3.2.4 A short letter is provided to report the inspection, highlighting strengths and aspects for development, and includes a table indicating the quality indicator evaluations against the six-point scale. The inspection evidence gathered during the inspection is published online as a document called the Summarised Inspection Findings. 3.3 Analysis of Inspection Outcomes 3.3.1 There are a number of factors which make the analysis of the inspection gradings complex. These factors include: • Improvements and changes to the inspection models and quality frameworks is such that it is not possible to make direct comparisons across each year; • The number of inspections carried out within the local authority area varies from year to year; • The selection of quality indicators and themes can vary from inspection to inspection; and • Partnerships with private providers may change between inspections, meaning that some included inspection results may be for services which are no longer partner providers. Page 39 of 58
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4. Summary of Inspections 4.1 Services Providing Day Care for Children 4.1.1 This section presents an overview of the performance of services providing day care for children inspected over the past year where Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) is the registered provider, and for services registered as funded partners; this includes childminders with funded childcare places. 4.1.2 A total of 15 inspections were carried out and published by the Care Inspectorate since the last presentation of this report in 2025. The Care Inspectorate inspection reports are reported to the Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee by exception, where any grading has been awarded an evaluation of unsatisfactory, weak, or excellent. In the last year, no services have been reported for receiving unsatisfactory, weak, or excellent gradings. 4.1.3 Of the 56 gradings awarded, 91% were ‘good’ or better, compared to 88% last year), whilst 38% were ‘very good’ or better, which is a decrease from the 46% achieved last year. 4.1.4 Appendix A (Summary of performance, services providing day care of children inspected by the Care Inspectorate), provides further details and interpretation of the overall figures on an annual basis, as well as comparator and national benchmarks, and a summary of the current position for all settings. 4.2 ELC Settings and Schools – Education Scotland Inspections 4.2.1 This section presents an overview of the performance of PKC ELC settings, including partner providers, and schools, inspected by Education Scotland and reported to the Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee. 4.2.2 A total of 8 inspections were carried out and published by Education Scotland since the last presentation of this report in 2025, which included 2 primary inspections, 2 joint inspections of a nursery and primary setting, 1 secondary inspection and 1 follow-up report on a secondary setting. 4.2.3 A combined summary of achievement (2016/17 to date) as well as performance against comparator local authorities and Scotland as a whole, is shown in Appendix B (Overview and Comparison of Education Scotland Inspections 2016/17 - 2025/26 by Performance Indicator). PKC consistently outperforms both the comparator group of local authorities and the Scotland average across both the primary school and ELC sectors. Performance for secondary inspections is generally lower than the Scotland average, and similar to or slightly below our comparator authorities. Page 40 of 58
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4.2.4 Areas for improvement, identified during an inspection, are addressed through a School Action Plan. Progress against the plan is monitored and a report prepared for parents/carers (and is also shared with the PKC Area Lead Officer) within one year of the report being published. 4.2.5 Inspection reports are scrutinised by members of the Executive Sub- Committee of the Learning and Families Committee. 5. Conclusion 5.1 The analysis of the gradings and reports by the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland provide positive confirmation that the standards and quality in our services remain high and set a clear agenda for continuous improvement. 6. Impact and Value Assessment 6.1 This report has been classified as being an operational report and as such does not require a full Impact and Value Assessment. 7. Appendices 7.1 Appendix A: Summary of performance, services providing day care of children inspected by the Care Inspectorate 7.2 Appendix B: Overview and Comparison of Education Scotland Inspections 2016/17 - 2025/26 by Performance Indicator. Page 41 of 58
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Appendix A: Summary of performance1, services providing day care of children inspected by the Care Inspectorate2 3 Table A1: Summary of performance – April 2025 to date4 Number of services inspected = 54 Quality Themes Care, Play and Learning Setting Staff Team Leadership Total Excellent 0 0 0 0 0 - Very Good 5 5 7 4 21 38% Good 8 7 6 9 30 54% Adequate 1 2 1 1 5 9% Weak 0 0 0 0 0 - Unsatisfactory 0 0 0 0 0 - Total 14 14 14 14 56 CHART A1: Performance April 2025 to date: PKC, Comparator Authorities and Scotland 1 Note that rounding of percentage figures may mean totals reported elsewhere differ slightly. 2 Note that comparator and national proportions include all services for day care of children whereas Perth and Kinross figures only represent local authority and partner provider services (it is not possible to distinguish these in national statistics). It also restates previous gradings when quality themes are not assessed in every inspection. 3 Comparator local authorities are Argyll and Bute, Aberdeenshire, Stirling, Scottish Borders and Highland Council. Comparator and national proportions currently available until November 2025. 4 Inspected, published and reported to Learning and Families Executive Sub-Committee. 5 Page 43 of 58
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CHART A2: Performance 2016/17 to 2024/25: PKC, Comparator Authorities and Scotland Commentary: National and comparator figures show PKC out- performing comparator and national benchmarks at both Good and Better and Very Good or Better levels. Note: Vertical axis adjusted to emphasise differences. * Quality Indicators changed on 01/06/2022 by Care Inspectorate. Current Position The charts above illustrate the aggregated individual results of inspections over several years. Some settings will be inspected more than once during this period, and some Quality Indicators are not covered in every inspection. The accumulated result of all these inspections is the current position of all Early Learning and Childcare services in Perth & Kinross - shown in the charts below. These summarise the proportion of settings that currently have a Good or better rating, based on the latest inspection for each indicator. CHART A3: Current Quality Ratings – Perth and Kinross Page 44 of 58
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Appendix B: Overview and Comparison of Education Scotland Inspections1 2016/17 – 2025/26 (to date) by Performance Indicator Table B1: ELC Settings Overview by Performance Indicator Number of Pre-Schools inspected = 32 (2 Follow Through, 24 Full and 6 Short Inspections) QI Grading Leadership of change Learning, teaching & assessment Securing Children's Progress Ensuring wellbeing, equality & inclusion Self- evaluation for self- improvement All Quality Indicators Excellent - - - - - - Very Good 6 8 9 8 - 31 Good 11 12 14 12 1 50 Satisfactory 5 7 4 2 1 19 Weak - 1 3 - - 4 Unsatisfactory - - - - - - Total 22 28 30 22 2 104 Chart B1: ELC Settings Comparison by Performance Indicator23 1 Inspected, published and reported to Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families. 2 Comparator Authorities are Argyll and Bute, Aberdeenshire, Stirling, Scottish Borders and Highland Council. 3 Comparator and National data currently only available up to December 2023. 5 Page 45 of 58
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Table B2: Primary Overview by Performance Indicator Number of Primary Schools inspected = 45 (4 Follow Through, 28 Full and 13 Short Inspections) QI Grading Leadership of change Learning, teaching & assessment Raising attainment & achievement Ensuring wellbeing, equality & inclusion Self- evaluation for self- improvement All Quality Indicators Excellent 1 - - 1 - 2 Very Good 7 6 10 9 3 35 Good 10 19 22 13 - 64 Satisfactory 6 11 7 1 1 26 Weak - 1 2 - - 3 Unsatisfactory - - - - - - Total 24 37 41 24 4 130 Chart B2: Primary Comparison by Performance Indicator Page 46 of 58
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Table B3: Secondary Overview by Performance Indicator Number of Secondary Schools inspected = 5 (1 Follow Through, 3 Full and 1 Short Inspection) QI Grading Leadership of change Learning, teaching & assessment Raising attainment & achievement Ensuring wellbeing, equality & inclusion Self- evaluation for self- improvement All Quality Indicators Excellent - - - - - - Very Good - 1 - - - 1 Good - - 2 1 - 3 Satisfactory 3 3 2 1 - 9 Weak - 1 1 1 - 3 Unsatisfactory - - - - - - Total 3 5 5 3 - 16 School Inspection Date Inspection Type Perth High School November 2018 Full Perth Grammar School November 2019 Short Perth Grammar School November 2021 Follow Through Pitlochry High School April 2023 Full Perth Academy November 2023 Full Kinross High School February 2025 Short Perth Academy February 2025 Follow Through Follow Through inspections do not result in new gradings and are intended to follow up on recommendations from a previous inspection. Chart B3: Secondary Comparison by Performance Indicator Page 47 of 58
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Table B4: Inspection results since last report Sector School Inspection Type Leadership of change Learning, teaching and assessment Raising attainment and achievement Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion Nursery Guildtown Primary School Full Good Good Good Good Nursery Tulloch Primary School Full Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Primary Guildtown Primary School Full Good Good Good Good Primary Tulloch Primary School Full Good Good Good Very good Primary Blackford Primary School Short - Good Good - Primary Pitcairn Primary School Short - Satisfactory Good - Secondar y Kinross High School Short - Very good Good - Secondar y Perth Academy Follow Through - - - - Page 48 of 58
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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: Executive Sub-Committee of the Learning and Families Committee Date of Meeting: 1 June 2026 Report Title: Inspection of Services for Children and Young People by the Care Inspectorate Report Number: 26/152 Report Author(s): Dawn Millar, Operational Manager (FBSCommittee@pkc.gov.uk) Organisational Lead: Arun Singh, Strategic Lead – Children, Families and Justice ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 This report sets out the key findings following the unannounced inspection of Perth and Kinross Council’s Woodlea Cottage. This inspection was carried out in October 2025 and was published in November 2025 and evaluated how the service supports children and young people’s rights, wellbeing and safety. Details of which can be found in Appendix 1. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendation 3. Background/Context 4. Main Issues/Inspection Overview 5. Service Response to Area for Improvement Identified 6. Conclusion 7. Impact Value Assessment 8. Appendix 2. Recommendation 2.1 Considers and comments as appropriate on the contents of the report 6 Page 49 of 58
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3. Background/Context 3.1 The Care Inspectorate (also known as Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland - SCSWIS) was created by the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. The Act sets out general principles for the Care Inspectorate’s inspection and improvement functions. These are: • The safety and wellbeing of all persons who use, or are eligible to use, any social service are to be protected and enhanced; • The independence of those persons is to be promoted; • Diversity in the provision of social services is to be promoted with a view to those persons being afforded choice; and • Good practice in the provision of social services is to be identified, promulgated and promoted. 3.2 The Act places duties on the Care Inspectorate to make arrangements which will secure continuous improvement, to ensure user focus and to co-operate with other specified scrutiny bodies. 3.3 Since April 2008, regulated care services in Scotland have been inspected using a framework of quality themes and quality statements. Services have been given grades based on the findings at each inspection and the written reports and grades are made public via the Care Inspectorate’s website. 3.4 Services are measured against the National Care Standards and quality themes. These are: • Quality of Care and Support; • Quality of Environment or Information; • Quality of Staffing; and • Quality of Management and Leadership. 3.5 Each quality theme is graded on a 6-point scale in which 1 = unsatisfactory, 2 = weak, 3 = adequate, 4 = good, 5 = very good and 6 = excellent. 3.6 In addition to a visit to each service, inspectors consider evidence from a range of sources when judging a service’s performance since it was last graded, including: • Upheld complaints and whether identified issues have been resolved; • Notifiable incidents and how the service has dealt with them; • Feedback from people who use the service and carers; • Evidence that previous action plans have been implemented; and • Information in the annual return. 3.7 The Care Inspectorate conducts unannounced inspections for all regulated services as the main inspection method unless there are practical reasons that this is not appropriate. There are longer intervals between inspections for better performing services and a greater focus on risk-based inspections for poorly performing and high-risk services, such as those which provide 24-hour residential care. Page 50 of 58
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3.8 Following an inspection, the Care Inspectorate may set out a series of: • Areas for Improvement: statements that set out actions the care service provider should take to improve or develop the quality of the service. • Requirements: statements which set out what is required of the care service provider to comply with relevant legislation. 3.9 Care service providers must submit an action plan to the Care Inspectorate addressing any recommendations identified. Progress against the action plan is monitored by the Care Inspectorate through annual return and self-assessment forms submitted by the care service provider, and through subsequent inspection. 4. Main Issues/Inspection Overview 4.1 This report presents the findings of the 2025 inspection, which is the most recent inspection of Woodlea Cottage by the Care Inspectorate. The previous inspection took place in July 2023. 4.2 The 2023 inspection focused on two Quality Indicators, “How well do we support children and young people's rights and wellbeing?” and “Children and young people are safe, feel loved and get the most out of life.” The service was graded as 4 (good) for both indicators with no areas for improvement or requirements identified. 4.2.1 The 2025 inspection was an unannounced inspection which took place on 28, 30 and 31 October 2025. Visits to the service took place between 11:55 and 19:10, 09:45 and 17:10 and 09:35 and 17:10 respectively. The report was published in November 2025. 4.3 The inspection was carried out by one inspector from the Care Inspectorate and focused on one Quality Indicator “How well do we support children and young people's rights and wellbeing?”. 4.4 The process of inspection saw the inspector review information about the service including previous inspection findings, registration information, information submitted by the service and intelligence gathered since the last inspection. In making their evaluations of the service they reviewed survey responses from five family members, ten staff and nine external professionals. They spent time observing care of three children and young people. They spoke with two family members, eight staff and managers and one visiting professional. They observed practice and reviewed written policies and procedures. 4.4.1 This Quality Indicator was assessed as 4 (good). The inspection identified strong, nurturing relationships between staff and children, effective and individualised risk management, very minimal use of restrictive practices, highly personalised care routines, and effective medication management. Page 51 of 58
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4.4.2 No requirements or recommendations were identified from this inspection. 4.4.3 One area for improvement was identified in relation to staff support and supervision, linked to the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS 3.14) and the SSSC Codes of Practice. This was: • To support staff welfare and enable them to carry out their role safely and effectively and provide the best quality care for young people, the provider should ensure the staff support and development framework is fully implemented. This should include, but is not limited to, regular staff supervision. 5. Service Response to Area for Improvement Identified 5.1 It was acknowledged that in the 12 months leading up to the inspection the service’s staffing levels were below quota due to a vacancy and 2 staff members on long term sick leave. These staffing levels had an impact on the service’s ability to offer a full-service provision, resulting in cancellations. 5.2 In response to the Care Inspectorate’s identified area for improvement, the service has strengthened staff support, supervision and development arrangements, with regular supervision reinstated and clearer expectations for frequency and recording. 5.3 Management records have been devised to support consistent oversight and quality assurance, alongside a review of the positive behaviour management framework to ensure staff have clear, trauma-informed guidance and confidence in practice. 6. Conclusion 6.1 The 2025 Care Inspectorate inspection provides assurance that Woodlea Cottage is delivering a good standard of care and support for children and young people with complex needs, with clear and proportionate improvement activity underway. 7. Impact and Value Assessment This report has been classified as being an operational report and as such does not require a full Impact and Value Assessment. 8. Appendix Appendix 1 - Woodlea Cottage Care Home Service, November 2025 Page 52 of 58
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WWoodlea Cottoodlea Cottageage Care Home Service Perth Type of inspection: Unannounced Completed on: 6 November 2025 Service provided by: Service provider number: Perth & Kinross Council SP2003003370 Service no: CS2009236865 Appendix 1 6 Page 53 of 58
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About the service Woodlea Cottage is a care home service. It provides short breaks of no more than 28 consecutive days for a maximum of five children and young people aged between five and 18 at one time. Children and young people using the service have severe, complex and multiple factors leading to significant and enduring additional support needs The premises was purpose-built in 2010. All areas accessed by young people using the service are on the ground floor. They include a main open-plan living and dining room with adjacent kitchen and an annexe with an additional open-plan kitchen, living and dining room. All bedrooms are for single occupancy and most have shared use of an adjacent shower or bathroom, two of which have ceiling hoists. There is a separate self-contained area with a bedroom, living room and kitchenette. There is also a utility room and medical room. Development of a sensory room is underway. At the rear of the building is a fenced garden with a playroom and outdoor equipment. The premises can be accessed by wheelchair. Woodlea Cottage is situated in a residential area about a mile and a half from the city centre, which has local services and facilities such as shops, schools and parks. About the inspection This was an unannounced inspection which took place on 28, 30 and 31 October 2025. Visits to the service took place between 11:55 and 19:10, 09:45 and 17:10 and 09:35 and 17:10 respectively. The inspection was carried out by one inspector from the Care Inspectorate. To prepare for the inspection we reviewed information about this service. This included previous inspection findings, registration information, information submitted by the service and intelligence gathered since the last inspection. In making our evaluations of the service we: • reviewed survey responses from five family members, ten staff and nine external professionals • spent time observing care of three children and young people visiting Woodlea during the inspection and spoke with two family members • spoke with eight staff and managers • observed practice and daily life • reviewed documents • spoke with a visiting professional. Inspection rInspection reporteport Inspection report for Woodlea Cottage page 2 of 6 Page 54 of 58
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Key messages • Staff familiarity with young people and effective risk management contributed to keeping them safe. • Alternative responses to children experiencing distress minimised the use of restrictive practices and physical restraint. Managers should now consider how they can support staff confidence in implementing a positive behaviour management approach. • Children and young people benefitted from positive and nurturing relationships with the staff caring for them. They had strongly individualised care and routines. • Significant events should be notified more consistently to the Care Inspectorate. • Whilst there were early signs of improvement, the service had experienced a very challenging period of staff absences, the impact of which had been felt by managers, the staff team and young people and their families. From this inspection we evaluated this service as: In evaluating quality, we use a six point scale where 1 is unsatisfactory and 6 is excellent How well do we support children and young people's rights and wellbeing? 4 - Good Further details on the particular areas inspected are provided at the end of this report. Inspection rInspection reporteport Inspection report for Woodlea Cottage page 3 of 6Page 55 of 58
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How well do we support children and young 4 - Good people's rights and wellbeing? We evaluated this key question as good. This means that the service had important strengths which taken together, clearly outweighed areas for improvement. Staff were familiar with their professional responsibilities, though gaps in protection training should be addressed, and this should be extended to all ancillary staff. Risk management plans were effective, strongly individualised and regularly reviewed to keep them up to date. These contributed to keeping young people safe. Improved recording of all stages of the assessment and decision-making process would support good practice in this area. There had been very minimal use of restrictive practices by staff, including no instances of physical restraint, for some time. Alternative strategies for responding to young people in distress reduced the potential for compromising their dignity and wellbeing. The provider's decision to discontinue staff training in the use of restraint and physical intervention reflected this approach. We found no evidence of adverse outcomes as a result, though following staff feedback, concluded that a clearer framework of practice in relation to positive behaviour management would support a trauma-informed approach and promote staff confidence. We signposted the manager to Care Inspectorate guidance to ensure that all significant events are formally notified to us. Most incident records demonstrated appropriate, sensitive responses to young people by staff. They also showed evidence of management oversight and identification of learning to prevent recurrence. Young people's positive relationships with staff meant they could enjoy and make the most of their stays. Low staff turnover was a contributory factor in this. Comments about staff included: 'lovely', 'can't fault them'; 'amazing'. However, the service was just emerging from a prolonged and challenging period of staff absences. Staff had worked additional hours or changed working arrangements, and whilst most felt well supported, they had not had access to regular, planned supervision during this time (see area for improvement 1). Managers had on occasions provided direct care, which had constrained their capacity for quality assurance and improvement activities, though it should now be possible to resume these. There had also been heavier than usual reliance on supply staff and frustrating delays in recruitment. Despite their efforts, the provider had been unable to avoid cancelling or changing a number of short breaks. This had had a negative impact on the young people and families affected, though it was difficult to quantify this. A request for more short breaks also featured in some of the feedback we received. Improvements to and maintenance of the environment contributed to positive experiences for young people. Staff prepared the setting with individual needs and preferences in mind, though there was scope for softening and enhancing some areas. Children's routines were strongly individualised and reflected their preferences to maximise enjoyment of their visits. Staff sought feedback from parents during reviews and listened to suggestions, adapting plans accordingly. The service was considering further ways of using technology to improve communication with parents to enhance their experiences of the service. Effective management of medication contributed to positive health outcomes for young people. A wide range of training was available to support staff to provide high quality care, but more up-to-date training records are needed so managers can monitor this more easily. Inspection rInspection reporteport Inspection report for Woodlea Cottage page 4 of 6 Page 56 of 58
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In discussion with parents, staff identified some proportionate goals for children to work towards during their visits, to develop a range of skills. Plans were child-centred and contained a wealth of information to guide staff in providing familiar, beneficial routines. Staff should now explicitly evaluate progress at each review, and continue to ensure recording practice fully reflects the service's respectful ethos. To maximise positive outcomes, some plans should also be more proportionate to need, and be underpinned by SMART principles (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound). Areas for improvement 1. To support staff welfare and enable them to carry out their role safely and effectively and provide the best quality care for young people, the provider should ensure the staff support and development framework is fully implemented. This should include, but is not limited to, regular staff supervision. This is to ensure that care and support is consistent with the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) which state that ‘I have confidence in people because they are trained, competent and skilled, are able to reflect on their practice and follow their professional and organisational codes’ (HSCS 3.14). This is to ensure that staff support is consistent with the SSSC Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers and Employers. Complaints There have been no complaints upheld since the last inspection. Details of any older upheld complaints are published at www.careinspectorate.com. Detailed evaluations How well do we support children and young people's rights and wellbeing? 4 - Good 7.1 Children and young people are safe, feel loved and get the most out of life 4 - Good Inspection rInspection reporteport Inspection report for Woodlea Cottage page 5 of 6Page 57 of 58
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To find out more This inspection report is published by the Care Inspectorate. You can download this report and others from our website. Care services in Scotland cannot operate unless they are registered with the Care Inspectorate. We inspect, award grades and help services to improve. We also investigate complaints about care services and can take action when things aren't good enough. Please get in touch with us if you would like more information or have any concerns about a care service. You can also read more about our work online at www.careinspectorate.com Contact us Care Inspectorate Compass House 11 Riverside Drive Dundee DD1 4NY enquiries@careinspectorate.com 0345 600 9527 Find us on Facebook Twitter: @careinspect Other languages and formats This report is available in other languages and formats on request. Tha am foillseachadh seo ri fhaighinn ann an cruthannan is cànain eile ma nithear iarrtas. Inspection rInspection reporteport Inspection report for Woodlea Cottage page 6 of 6 Page 58 of 58