Scottish Attainment Challenge
Argyll and Bute Council · 24 August 2023
Back to Community Services Committee — 24 August 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION 24 AUGUST 2023 SCOTTISH ATTAINMENT CHALLENGE 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 This paper provides the Committee with an update on the refreshed Scottish Attainment Challenge (SAC) which is supported by funding through the Attainment Scotland Fund, the aims of which are to address the challenges of the poverty-related attainment gap. 1.2 The Attainment Scotland Fund is made up of a number of funding streams totalling £1billion. This targeted funding includes the Strategic Equity Fund (SEF) and Pupil Equity Fund (PEF) which Argyll and Bute receive and will be the focus of this paper. 1.3 The paper will include the draft authority ‘core’ stretch aims 2023-26 (Appendix 1), 2023-24 Scottish Government Pupil Equity Funding allocations for Argyll and Bute schools eligible to receive PEF funding (Appendix 2) and an overview of the Argyll and Bute Strategic Equity Funding Plan 2023-26 (Appendix 3),
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION 24 AUGUST 2023 SCOTTISH ATTAINMENT CHALLENGE 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 The refreshed Scottish Attainment Challenge, launched in March 2022, continues to build on the existing policy that has been in place since 2015. The main aim of the policy is to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerate progress in closing the poverty related attainment gap. 2.2 The policy’s mission is to ‘use education to improve outcomes for children and young people impacted by poverty, with a focus on tackling the poverty related attainment gap’. 2.3 The Scottish Government require all local authorities to set new ‘stretch aims’ as part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge. These stretch aims are required to set out ambitious aims for progress by the end of the three-year period of 2023/24 – 2025/26, accompanied by interim annual aims detailing an outline trajectory for progress as outlined in their guidance Framework for Recovery and Accelerating Progress. These should include 5 ‘core’ aims and an additional ‘plus’ aim. This paper will detail the progress the Education Service has taken in meeting our 2022-2023 stretch aims and in developing new draft stretch aims for 2023-2026 period. 2.4 £1 billion of funding has been committed by the Scottish Government over the current parliamentary term to support the realisation of this policy. This is delivered through a number of funding streams including; Strategic Equity Funding, Pupil Equity Funding and Care Experienced Children and Young People funding. 2.5 This paper provides the Committee with updated information on the continued intention of the Scottish Government, as part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge, to disperse £1,365,575 in Pupil Equity Funding and £282,615 in Strategic Equity Funding for the 2023-24 session. It also includes our Strategic Equity Funding Plan 2023-26 as an appendix.
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3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that the Community Services Committee: a) Commends the very good progress towards achieving the 2022-2023 stretch aims and the draft stretch aims developed for period 2023-2026 as required by the Scottish Attainment Challenge. b) Notes the update on 2023 Scottish Government Pupil Equity and Strategic Equity Funding. c) Notes the provision of strategic guidance at Scottish Government and Authority levels to support the implementation of the Pupil Equity Funding and Strategic Equity Funding. d) Agrees with the content of the Argyll and Bute Strategic Equity Funding Plan ‘SEF plan 2023- 26 : Tackling the Poverty Related Attainment gap in Argyll and Bute’ e) Agrees that a further update on the Scottish Attainment Challenge will be presented to a future meeting of the Community Services Committee. 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 The first five years of the Scottish Attainment Challenge saw progress in closing the poverty-related attainment gap across Scotland. With the disruption to learning as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic we have seen an impact on attainment of children, with those affected by poverty impacted at disproportionately higher levels. 4.2 The Framework for Recovery and Accelerating Progress (the Framework) aims to: • Mitigate the impact of poverty on children’s outcomes by tackling the poverty-related attainment gap; • Set high expectations through annual, locally identified stretch aims to ensure progress in recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic; • Build on the investment in the Scottish Attainment Challenge to make a greater difference, more quickly for children and young people; • Build consistency on processes used across the country to build a more accurate national picture; • Drive improved outcomes for children and young people impacted by poverty;
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• Ensure elements of local planning and decision making while driving strategic direction. 4.3 The mission of the Framework is to contribute to improved outcomes for children and young people recognising the importance of attainment, achievement and health and wellbeing. The ‘core plus’ model of stretch aims reflects this. 4.4 All Local Authorities are expected to set stretch aims for the following five measures and report on these annually to Scottish Government. Progress on our 2022-2023 stretch aims and the draft aims currently in development for 2023-2026 are contained in Appendix 1. a) achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels (literacy combined and numeracy combined); b) the proportion of school leavers attaining 1 or more pass at all SCQF level 5 based on the “Summary Statistics for Attainment and Initial Leaver Destinations” publication; c) the proportion of school leavers attaining 1 or more pass at all SCQF level 6 based on the “Summary Statistics for Attainment and Initial Leaver Destinations” publication; d) the proportion of 16-19 olds participating in education, employment or training based on the Annual Participation Measure produced by Skills Development Scotland; and e) a locally identified aim for health and wellbeing, to be measured using local datasets. 4.5 In setting the authority ‘core’ stretch aims close, collaborative work has been undertaken with the authority’s link Education Scotland Attainment Advisor and officers across the central education team. This included examining national and local data across the identified core aims to develop a realistic and ambitious target for 2025-2026. A wider consultation process to include school leaders and representatives from professional associations will be conducted prior to submission being made to the Scottish Government by 31st September 2023. 4.6 An additional ‘plus’ aim is included in the model with authorities choosing an aim specific to their own context and datasets. The aim needs to detail: • What is the change for learners? • How much change? • Who is target group? • By when? • How will be tracked and measured? 4.7 In this regard Officers will continue to work collaboratively with the authority’s link Education Scotland Attainment Advisor and the Educational Psychology team in measuring and improving the strong
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work already taking place across a number of schools in regards to the programme ‘Our Children Their Nurturing Education’. 4.8 Alongside the authority stretch aims, developed to closely interrogate the reduction of the poverty-related attainment gap, schools who are eligible will continue to receive Pupil Equity Funding for the remainder of this parliamentary session. Reportable school level allocations are reported in Appendix 2. 4.9 Schools are allocated PEF funding directly and this is to be used to provide targeted support for children and young people (and their families if appropriate) affected by poverty. School leaders plan for the use of Pupil Equity Funding through the existing School Improvement Planning processes which includes a template for reporting on expenditure, outcomes and measures for PEF funding. 4.10 National Operational Guidance is provided by the Scottish Government to support school leaders in the use of PEF. This national guidance is further supported by the Argyll and Bute PEF information pack and newly developed Argyll and Bute Framework and online ‘PEF Hub’ which further details processes, procedures and good practice in effective and targeted use of PEF and facilitates a shared space for school leaders to moderate ongoing work in this area. 4.11 Head Teachers report annual through their Standards and Quality Reports the impact of the use of PEF within their school. 4.12 Strategic Equity Funding continues to support all 32 local authorities to invest in approaches to achieving the mission of the Scottish Attainment Challenge. This funding is part of the Scottish Government’s Attainment Scotland Fund and is distributed equitably based on Children in Low Income Families data for the 2019/20 financial year. SEF allocations have been confirmed over the four year period from 2022/23 to 2025/26 financial years to enable clarity to support strategic planning over the four year period. Argyll and Bute will receive £ 282, 615 for session 2023-2024 through SEF funding. 4.13 An Education Officer for the Scottish Attainment Challenge has been appointed for a 23 month seconded period from April 2023-March 2025 using SEF funding. This Officer is supporting all schools in their identification of need and their drive to close their attainment gaps in their analytical use of data and targeted use of school-specific PEF funding. In close partnership with the authority’s link Education Scotland Attainment Advisor, and in conjunction across the Performance and Improvement Team, the Education Officer tracks progress towards achieving the stretch aims and engages with schools in analysis and quality assurance of attainment. 4.14 Planning for the spend of SEF funding for 2023-2024 includes continued funding for the recently appointed Education Officer: Scottish
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Attainment Challenge, Education Support Officer: Literacy, Numeracy Lead, Nurture teachers and training and resource costs relating to literacy and numeracy. Detail of the SEF funding plan 2023-26 is contained within Appendix 3. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 The refreshed Scottish Attainment Challenge and associated funding streams focuses on and accelerates targeted improvement activity to reduce the poverty related attainment gap. It is also intended to support and complement the broader range of initiatives and programmes to ensure that all of Scotland’s children and young people reach their full potential. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy – Attainment Scotland Funding through the Scottish Attainment Challenge supports the central purpose of the Scottish Government and the delivery of national outcomes. Supporting delivery on the Long Term Outcomes 3 and 4. 6.2 Financial – Potential financial implications given the limited nature of funding in ensuring the avoidance of ongoing liabilities or redundancy costs which are unfunded. 6.3 Legal – The Council requires to meet their statutory duties as prescribed in the ‘Standards in Scotland’s etc., Act 2000’ 6.4 HR – Potential HR implications given the time limited nature of the funding in ensuring the avoidance of ongoing HR liabilities or redundancy costs which are unfunded. 6.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: 6.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – The Scottish Attainment Challenge is aimed at reducing inequalities. 6.5.2 Socio-economic Duty - 6.5.3 Islands - none 6.6 Climate Change - none 6.7 Risk – Potential reputational risk to the Council by failing to deliver the statutory requirements of the revisions arising within the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc., Act 2000. 6.8 Customer Service – none
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Douglas Hendry - Executive Director with responsibility for Education Councillor Yvonne McNeilly – Policy Lead for Education 30th July 2023 For further information contact: Brendan Docherty Education Manager – Performance and Improvement Brendan.Docherty@argyll-bute.gov.uk APPENDICES Appendix 1 – Argyll and Bute Stretch Aims: Progress in 2022-2023 and Draft Stretch Aims for 2023-2026 Appendix 2 – Pupil Equity Fund allocations 2023-2024 Appendix 3 – Argyll and Bute Strategic Equity Funding Plan 2023-2026
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Appendix 1 APPENDIX 1: Provisional 3 Year Stretch aims 2023-2026 In partnership with our Attainment Advisor, we have devised provisional stretch aims as detailed below. These will be subject to change following consultation with stakeholders and finalisation of our ACEL, attendance and leavers’ data for session 2022-23. We will build on progress made this year by ensuring a relentless focus on closing the poverty related attainment gap whilst raising the bar for all. This will include universal and targeted support for schools based on their attainment data with the aim of building staff capacity at all levels. Literacy (P 1/4/7 Combined) Stretch Aim Overall SIMD Q1 SIMD Q5 GAP (Q1-Q5) Confirmed ACEL Data 2022 (DEC) 62.4% 53% 80% 27.4pp Interim Stretch Aim 2023/24 71% 70% 81% 11pp Final Stretch Aim 2025-26 76% 75% 85% 10pp Numeracy (P 1/4/7 Combined) Stretch Aim Overall SIMD Q1 SIMD Q5 GAP (Q1-Q5) Confirmed ACEL Data 2022 (DEC) 72.7% 68.1% 85.9% 17.8pp Interim Stretch Aim 2023/24 78% 73% 89.5% 16.5pp Final Stretch Aim 2025-26 83% 78% 91% 13pp
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School Leavers with 1 or more pass at ALL SCQF Level 5 Overall SIMD Q1 SIMD Q5 GAP (Q1-Q5) Confirmed Data 2021-22 (Feb 2023) 90.93% (VC 91.32%) 83.61% (VC 86.23%) 98.04% (VC 98.43%) 14.43pp Stretch Aims 2023/24 91.5% 85% 98.5% 13.5pp Interim Improvement between 2023 and 24 0.57pp 1.39pp 0.46pp 0.93pp Final Stretch Aim 2025/26 93% 89% 100% 11pp School Leavers with 1 or more pass at ALL SCQF Level 6 Overall SIMD Q1 SIMD Q5 GAP (Q1-Q5) Confirmed Data 2021-22 (Feb 2023) 65.99% (VC 69.37%) 54.10% (VC 59.05%) 82.35% (VC 92.75%) 28.25pp Interim Stretch Aims 2023/24 67% 57% 84% 27pp Interim Improvement between 2023 and 24 0.51pp 2.9pp 1.65pp 1.25pp Final Stretch Aim 2025/26 72% 64% 89% 25pp
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Participation Measure - 16-19 year olds in Education, Training and Employment Overall Q1 Q5 Gap (Q1 –Q5) Confirmed SDS Data 2021-22 (Aug 2022) 93.9% 89.1% 95.5% 6.4pp Snapshot Data SDS May 2023 92.7% 87.1% 94.2% 7.1pp Confirmed SDS Data 2022-23 (Aug 2023) TBC TBC TBC TBC Interim Stretch Aims 2023/24 93.5% 89.5% 96% 6.5pp Interim Improvement between 2023 and 24 0.8pp 2.4pp 1.8pp 0.6pp Final Stretch Aim 2025/26 95% 92.5% 97% 4.5pp HWB – Attendance in Primary - Free School Meal registered and Non Free School Meal Registered Overall FSM registered Non FSM registered GAP (FSM/non FSM) Confirmed Data May 2023 92.71% 88.86% 93.43% 4.57pp Interim Stretch Aims 2023/24 93.5% 89.5% 93.5% 4pp Interim Improvement between 2023 and 24 0.79pp 0.64pp 0.07pp 0.57pp Final Stretch Aim 2025/26 94.5% 92% 96% 4pp
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HWB – Attendance in Secondary - Free School Meal registered and Non Free School Meal Registered Overall FSM registered Non FSM registered GAP (FSM/non FSM) Confirmed Data May 2023 88.33% 81.24% 89.46% 8.23pp Interim Stretch Aims 2023/24 90% 82% 89.5% 7.5pp Interim Improvement between 2023 and 24 1.67pp 0.76pp 0.04pp 0.72pp Final Stretch Aim 2025/26 92% 87% 94% 7pp
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School 2023/24 Alloc Top Ups 2023/24 Alloc+TopUps 2022/23 C/F Achahoish Primary School -£ -£ -£ -£ Ardrishaig Primary School 11,025£ -£ 11,025£ 3,736£ Arinagour Primary School -£ -£ -£ -£ Arrochar Primary School 6,125£ -£ 6,125£ 3,403£ Barcaldine Primary School -£ -£ -£ -£ Bowmore Primary School 9,800£ -£ 9,800£ -£ Bowmore Primary School Gaelic Unit 1,225£ -£ 1,225£ 2,208£ Bunessan Primary Gaelic Unit -£ -£ -£ -£ Bunessan Primary School -£ 1,080£ 1,080£ 1,457£ Campbeltown Grammar School 39,200£ -£ 39,200£ 49,991£ Cardross Primary School 8,575£ 65£ 8,640£ 3,695£ Carradale Primary School -£ 1,080£ 1,080£ 370£ Castlehill Primary School 28,175£ -£ 28,175£ 8,789£ Clachan Primary School -£ -£ -£ -£ Colgrain Primary School 39,200£ -£ 39,200£ 2,608£ Craignish Primary School -£ -£ -£ -£ Dalintober Primary School 62,475£ -£ 62,475£ 33,071£ Dalmally Primary School 4,900£ -£ 4,900£ 1,335£ Dervaig Primary School -£ 3,240£ 3,240£ 1,332£ Drumlemble Primary School 2,450£ -£ 2,450£ 223£ Dunbeg Primary School 14,700£ -£ 14,700£ 5,903£ Dunoon Grammar School 91,875£ -£ 91,875£ 3,950£ Dunoon Primary School 51,450£ 390£ 51,840£ 38,713£ Easdale Primary School 4,900£ -£ 4,900£ 3,864£ Furnace Primary School 4,900£ -£ 4,900£ 6,825£ Garelochhead Primary School 12,250£ -£ 12,250£ 901£ Gigha Primary School 3,675£ -£ 3,675£ 3,046£ Glassary Primary School 4,900£ -£ 4,900£ 10,033£ Glenbarr Primary School -£ -£ -£ -£ Hermitage Academy 53,900£ -£ 53,900£ 51,994£ Hermitage Primary School 36,750£ -£ 36,750£ 15,042£ Innellan Primary School 7,350£ 210£ 7,560£ 7,582£ Inveraray Primary School 4,900£ 3,740£ 8,640£ 5,846£ Iona Primary School -£ -£ -£ -£ Islay High School 9,800£ -£ 9,800£ 996£ John Logie Baird Primary School 26,950£ 4,370£ 31,320£ 16,781£ Keills Primary School 2,450£ -£ 2,450£ 1,369£ Kilchattan Primary School -£ 1,080£ 1,080£ 685£ Kilchrenan Primary School 2,450£ -£ 2,450£ 2,450£ Kilcreggan Primary School 13,475£ -£ 13,475£ 8,823£ Kilmartin Primary School 1,225£ 935£ 2,160£ 3,231£ Kilmodan Primary School -£ 1,080£ 1,080£ 692£ Kilninver Primary School 4,900£ -£ 4,900£ 1,640£ Kirn Primary School 67,375£ -£ 67,375£ 9,174£ Lismore Primary School -£ -£ -£ -£ Lochdonhead Primary School -£ -£ -£ -£ Lochgilphead High School 24,500£ 340£ 24,840£ -£ Lochgilphead Primary School 41,650£ -£ 41,650£ 25,180£ Lochgoilhead Primary School 3,675£ 645£ 4,320£ -£ Lochnell Primary School 14,700£ -£ 14,700£ 12,025£ Luss Primary School 2,450£ -£ 2,450£ 1,102£ North Bute Primary School 9,800£ -£ 9,800£ 2,577£ Oban High School 100,450£ -£ 100,450£ 2,799£ Park Primary School 22,050£ 1,710£ 23,760£ 7,334£ Parklands School 7,350£ 1,290£ 8,640£ 2,265£ Port Charlotte Primary School 2,450£ 2,950£ 5,400£ 1,388£ Port Ellen Primary School 8,575£ 2,225£ 10,800£ 3,869£ Rhu Primary School 13,475£ 1,645£ 15,120£ -£ Rhunahaorine Primary School 8,575£ -£ 8,575£ 4,636£ Rockfield Gaelic Primary School 6,125£ -£ 6,125£ 1,161£ Rockfield Primary School 53,900£ 6,580£ 60,480£ 13,277£ Rosneath Primary School 35,525£ -£ 35,525£ 6,074£ Rothesay Academy 34,300£ -£ 34,300£ 16,664£ Rothesay Primary School 78,400£ -£ 78,400£ 39,541£ Salen Primary School 2,450£ 790£ 3,240£ -£ Salen Primary School Gaelic Unit 1,225£ 2,015£ 3,240£ 7,036£ Sandbank Primary School 14,700£ 2,580£ 17,280£ 3,447£ Sandbank Primary School Gaelic Unit 9,800£ -£ 9,800£ 16,905£ Small Isles Primary School -£ -£ -£ -£ St Andrew's Primary School 23,275£ -£ 23,275£ 18,177£ St Columba's Primary School 26,950£ -£ 26,950£ 6,964£ St Joseph's Primary School 35,525£ 1,195£ 36,720£ 23,378£ St Mun's Primary School 33,075£ -£ 33,075£ 14,501£ Strachur Primary School 4,900£ -£ 4,900£ 1,897£ Strath of Appin Primary School 2,450£ 790£ 3,240£ 2,714£ Strath of Appin Primary School Gaelic Unit -£ -£ -£ -£ Strone Primary School 4,900£ -£ 4,900£ 1,106£ Tarbert Academy 2,450£ 790£ 3,240£ 1,581£ Tarbert Primary School 12,250£ -£ 12,250£ 9,034£ Taynuilt Primary School 6,125£ 355£ 6,480£ 6,056£ Tayvallich Primary School 2,450£ -£ 2,450£ 2,985£ Tighnabruaich Primary School 14,700£ -£ 14,700£ -£ Tiree High School 4,900£ 1,580£ 6,480£ 5,868£ Tiree Primary School 1,225£ 935£ 2,160£ -£ Tiree Primary School Gaelic Unit 1,225£ -£ 1,225£ 1,225£ Tobermory High School 2,450£ 2,950£ 5,400£ 5,023£ Tobermory Primary School 6,125£ 355£ 6,480£ 4,446£ Toward Primary School 1,225£ 935£ 2,160£ 2,069£ Ulva Primary School -£ -£ -£ -£ TOTAL 1,314,425£ 48,990£ 1,363,415£ 583,993£ PEF ALLOCATIONS + C/F 2023‐24 Appendix 2