Item 10 - Education Improvement Plan 2026–27
West Dunbartonshire Council · 16 September 2026
Back to Educational Services Committee — 16 September 2026 and its agenda
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Official WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Education Officer Committee: Educational Services Committee 16 September 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Subject: Education Improvement Plan 2026 – 27 1. Purpose 1.1 This report sets out the service priorities and plan to deliver improved outcomes for equity and excellence. 2. Recommendations 2.1 The Educational Services Committee is asked to note: (a) key service priorities for equity and excellence; (b) expectations for schools and early learning centres; and (c) planned approach to secure improvement in 2026/27. 3. Background 3.1 In line with national expectations, local authorities are required to produce annual improvement plans and reports aligned with the statutory National Improvement Framework (NIF). 3.2 In developing improvement plans for session 2026/27, national guidance advises that the Service, schools and early learning and childcare settings should identify improvement priorities that are focused, manageable and measurable, with clear links to the National Improvement Framework's overarching aims of excellence and equity. 3.3 Significant national reforms are reshaping Scotland’s education system. This long-term programme will review and improve curriculum, assessment, national qualifications and learner pathways. National policy continues to emphasise a curriculum that promotes equity through personalised pathways, flexible models and the removal of barriers to participation, including poverty, costs, attendance and engagement. 3.4 The Service has produced a plan that is aligned with the National Improvement Framework, national education reform agenda, and the Council's strategic priorities. The plan has been informed by feedback from stakeholders. ITEM 10
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Official 3.5 The Service Plan sets out an ambitious vision of excellent learning every day in every classroom and playroom, with a continued focus on improving outcomes and reducing inequalities. Since 2015, Scottish Attainment Challenge funding has played a significant role in supporting this ambition through targeted investment in approaches that promote excellence and equity 4. Main Issues 4.1 The 2026/27 West Dunbartonshire Council Excellence and Equity Improvement Plan is attached at Appendix 1. 4.2 The Plan summarises key achievements and challenges from 2025/26, reporting progress against service priorities and Stretch Aims. It also sets out clear expectations and actions across four improvement priorities: 1. Wellbeing, Inclusion and Equity for All. 2. Learning, Teaching, Attainment and Achievement. 3. Employability and Positive Destinations. 4. Curriculum, Creativity and Future-Ready Learning. 4.2.1 The four improvement priorities are designed to: 1. Remove barriers to learning, improve attendance, strengthen inclusion and reduce poverty-related attainment gaps. 2. Ensure consistently high-quality learning, teaching and assessment in every classroom and playroom. 3. Support every child, young person and practitioner to develop skills, confidence and experience pathways to success. 4. Deliver a motivating, relevant and personalised curriculum, underpinned by a learning estate that is modern, adaptable and fit for future needs. 4.3 Robust arrangements are in place to monitor progress against the delivery of the plan, targets, and outcomes. The Service Improvement Framework supports this through: • Governance provided by the Excellence and Equity Board, chaired by the Chief Education Officer. • Local authority quality assurance, self-evaluation, and performance review processes delivered by officers and school leaders. • School, Early Learning and Childcare (ELC), and local authority inspection evidence provided by His Majesty's Inspectors.
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Official • Partnership with Education Scotland Attainment Advisors: one focused on curriculum and one on equity. • Inter-authority collaboration and peer review through the West Partnership, ADES Quads, and the Collaborative Improvement Framework. 4.4 The Committee will receive regular updates on progress against priorities, outcomes and performance measures. 4.5 Sustaining progress and reducing inequalities will require a continued focus on equity and targeted improvement activity. This is especially important given the challenging financial climate and the phased reduction of Scottish Attainment Challenge funding since 2022. 5. People Implications 5.1 National reviews impact on local service delivery, as any changes determined nationally have a workload implication locally. Where national change projects are funded, income received can be utilised to ensure adequate staffing resource to deliver the change project. Where projects are unfunded, our capacity to deliver change is significantly limited, due to existing workload commitments and budget pressures 5.2 As previously reported to Committee, the phased reduction in Scottish Attainment Challenge funding through to 2026/27 will reduce staffing capacity across both central services and schools. Affected roles include central officers, attainment teachers, senior phase officers, community learning workers, pupil and family support workers, early years staff and senior school leaders, all of whom contribute to attainment, inclusion and continuous improvement. 5.3 Collectively, these developments require an agile and sustainable workforce strategy that maintains core service delivery while supporting national reform, improvement activity and the continued drive to improve outcomes for children and young people. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 While the Scottish Government has committed to continuing Strategic Equity Funding until March 2027, future funding arrangements beyond this date remain uncertain. This uncertainty presents a challenge for medium- to long- term planning and may impact the service's capacity to prepare for and implement forthcoming reforms to curriculum, assessment and qualifications
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Official 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 Without sufficient staffing capacity and sustainable funding arrangements, there is a risk that the pace and effectiveness of local implementation of national reform could be adversely affected. This may also impact the service's ability to sustain progress in delivering equity and excellence and securing improved outcomes for children and young people. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment 8.1 A full Equality Impact Assessment was submitted to Committee in March 2022 and identified that the decrease in funding will reduce capacity. Scope exists to mitigate impact with the development of the Strategy for Excellence and Equity 2023-2027. 9. Consultation 9.1 Legal Services and the Section 95 Officer have been consulted in relation to the content of this report. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 This report reflects the Council’s overarching priority to support our communities to thrive. Gillian Hamilton Chief Education Officer 1 September 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Person to Contact: Julie McGrogan, Senior Education Officer, Department of Education, Learning and Attainment, Council Offices, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton, G82 1QL Telephone No: 01389 737316 Email: julie.mcgrogan@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendix: Education Improvement Plan 2026 – 2027 Background Papers: Equality Impact Assessment – March 2022 Wards Affected: All wards