Education Service Review
Argyll and Bute Council · 26 November 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 26 November 2025 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL EDUCATION SERVICE 26 NOVEMBER 2025 EDUCATION SERVICE REVIEW 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 As reported at the Council budget meeting in February 2025, it was agreed that a review of the Education Service would be undertaken, in line with the one undertaken within Roads and Infrastructure Services (RIS). 1.2 Scottish Education is currently undergoing a significant period of reform and this situation is reflected in Argyll and Bute. Given the many challenges currently faced by the Education Service it is essential to ensure that our service design and delivery model is both efficient and effective. Our goal is to achieve improved outcomes for our children and young people, while also providing best value and supporting the Council’s ongoing financial savings requirements. 1.3 The purpose of this report is to advise members on the findings of the independent review of the Education Service, which was conducted between May to September 2025, including details of the ten strategic recommendations made. 1.4 Members are invited to:- i. Note the outputs from the Education Review, set out in the review report detailed at appendix A ii. Note that Officers will now take forward the development of recommendations of the report, under the direction of the Project Board. iii. Agree that the efficiencies identified at section 4.8 of the report be considered as part of the council’s revenue budget process for 2026/27. iv. Agree that reports on (a) all matters of a policy nature which require approval by members, and (b) the progress of the review in general are summitted to the Community Services Committee, which discharges the powers and duties of the Council as education authority. v. Approve funding of up to £150k to be made available from the Strathclyde Pension Fund Gain Earmarking set aside for spend to save or transformation to support the implementation of the review findings, including any further external resource required.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL EDUCATION SERVICE 26 NOVEMBER 2025 EDUCATION SERVICE REVIEW 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 As reported at the Council budget meeting in February 2025, it was agreed that a review of the Education Service would be undertaken, in line with the one undertaken within Roads and Infrastructure Services (RIS). 2.2 Given the many challenges currently faced by the Education Service it is essential to ensure that our service design and delivery model is both efficient and effective. Our goal is to achieve improved outcomes for our children and young people, while also providing best value and supporting the Council’s ongoing financial savings requirements. 2.3 The purpose of this report is to advise members on the findings of the independent review of the Education Service, which was conducted between May to September 2025, including details of the ten strategic recommendations made. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 Members are invited to:- i. Note the outputs from the Education Review, set out in the review report detailed at appendix A ii. Note that Officers will now take forward the development of recommendations of the report, under the direction of the Project Board iii. Agree that the efficiencies identified at section 4.8 of the report be considered as part of the council’s revenue budget process for 2026/27. iv. Agree that reports on (a) all matters of a policy nature which require approval by members, and (b) the progress of the review in general are submitted to the Community Services Committee, which discharges the powers and duties of the Council as education authority. v. Approve funding of up to £150k to be made available from the Strathclyde Pension Fund Gain Earmarking set aside for spend to save or transformation to support the implementation of the review findings, including any further external resource required.
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4.0 DETAIL 4.1 A team of senior educational professionals, with extensive experience across local authorities and the wider Scottish Education system, were identified to undertake an independent review of the Education Service - Craig Clement, Sheena Devlin, Colin Grant, and Jennifer King. 4.2 A Project Initiation meeting took place on 15th May 2025, which provided an introduction to the Education Service and set out the project brief and methodology:- Having regard to the numerous challenges which are currently being faced by the Service, the Education Service requires reassurance that is current service design and delivery model is efficient and effective, and will deliver improved outcomes for our children and young people, whilst providing Best Value and to support the Council’s requirement to deliver financial savings on an ongoing year-on year basis. The Service requires to explore its options to review and redesign (if necessary) all aspects of its operations in this regard, in a manner which could be feasible and permitted having regard to the national requirements and legislation which the Service is subject to. 4.3 The following key service areas/themes were included within the scope of the review:- 1. Additional Support for Learning 2. Central/Management Costs 3. Community Learning and Development 4. Early Learning and Childcare 5. Primary Education 6. Pupil Support 7. Schools – Central Services 8. Secondary Education 9. Staffing 10. School Estate 4.4 An Officer Education Review Project Board was established to provide oversight and governance for the review, to make high level decisions and ensure that the review remained aligned with the agreed scope. The Board was Chaired by Executive Director – Douglas Hendry, with Vice Chair Executive Director - Kirsty Flanagan, taking a similar approach to the governance arrangements put in place for the Review of RIS. 4.5 As part of the review process, the team undertook an extensive programme of engagement and visits with relevant Argyll and Bute Council employees, as well as a range of key partners including HSCP, NHS, Police Scotland and DYW (Developing the Young Workforce). The team drew on methodology and tools from The Scottish Approach to Service Design (SAtSD) to facilitate these workshops. Colleagues from across the Council and partners engaged positively to define and develop a number of solutions to current challenges, helping to shape future delivery recommendations. A full list of each engagement can be found in appendix 2 (p51) of the attached report.
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4.6 Following a 5 month review period, the Review Team have now prepared and submitted a report setting out the background, methodology and aims for the review, as well as 10 strategic recommendations for service improvement – summarised below. Further detail, including the narrative evidence for each recommendation can be found in sections 3 – 8 of the report attached as Appendix A. These recommendations embrace the 7 key principles of the Council’s Connect for Success transformation programme. 10 Strategic Recommendations (2-4 year horizon)
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4.7 The recommendations are not, and are not intended to be, a detailed set of proposals for specific changes to the Education Service. Rather, they identify 10 themed recommendations which are designed for phased delivery over a 2-4 year period, with some enabling shorter to medium term efficiencies and savings once lead in requirements are met. Careful planning will be undertaken to ensure that the various interdependencies of different recommendations are taken forward in a systematic, coherent manner. Consideration also needs to be given to whether additional capacity will be provided to support the scoping, engagement, planning and implementation of all 10 recommendations within the proposed 4 year period. An indicative timeline for this transformation work is set out in appendix 1 of the report (p50). 4.8 In addition to the 10 strategic recommendations, the Review Team have worked alongside senior Education Officers to identify a list of potential efficiency options, which will be reported and considered as part of the Council’s revenue budget process. These are summarised in table 1 below. If the Council accepts these proposals, potential savings of up to £1.3m in 2026/27, £2.5m in 2027/28, and £2m in 2028/29 could be achieved.
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Table 1 – Potential Efficiency Savings 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 Following an extensive review of the Education Service, this report presents elected members with the outputs and recommendations arising from this piece of work. The 10 strategic recommendations from the Review Team are accepted by the Education Service and, in terms of next steps, they will be taken forward by an Officer Project Board, the membership of which will include:- Douglas Hendry – Executive Director (Chair), Kirsty Flanagan – Executive Director (Vice Chair), 2 x Education Heads of Service, and other Council officers as appropriate. Reports by Officers on all matters of a policy nature which require approval by members, and the progress of the review in general will be submitted to the Community Services Committee, which discharges the powers and duties of the Council as education authority. 5.2 It is recommended that funding of up to £150k to be made available from the Strathclyde Pension Fund Gain Earmarking set aside for spend to save or transformation to support the implementation of the review findings, including any further external resource required.
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6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy – the review recommendations take cognisance of, and support the delivery of national outcomes, the Argyll and Bute Corporate Plan 2025-27 priorities and the Our Children, Their Future – Thriving Together key priorities. 6.2 Financial – the review proposes a number of efficiency savings for consideration as part of the Council’s revenue budget process. 6.3 Legal – the review has had regard to all national requirements and legislation which the Education Service is subject to. 6.4 HR – potential for additional resource to implement the recommendations. 6.5 Customer Service – relevant employees and partners have been engaged as part of the review process, co-producing the recommendations. 6.6 Risk – potential financial and operational risks to the Education Service have been considered as part of the review process and will continue to be s factor during the implementation phase. 6.7 Climate Change – none 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty – an Integrated Impact Assessment(s) will be undertaken as part of the implementation process to determine any potential impacts. 6.9 Equalities - protected characteristics - an Integrated Impact Assessment(s) will be undertaken as part of the implementation process to determine any potential impacts. 6.10 Consumer Duty - an Integrated Impact Assessment(s) will be undertaken as part of the implementation process to determine any potential impacts. 6.11 Island Communities - an Integrated Impact Assessment(s) will be undertaken as part of the implementation process to determine any potential impacts. 6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing - an Integrated Impact Assessment(s) will be undertaken as part of the implementation process to determine any potential impacts. The recommendations have been developed in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) legislation. Douglas Hendry - Executive Director with responsibility for Education Policy Lead for Education – Councillor Audrey Forrest 30th October 2025
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APPENDICES Appendix A – Connecting for Success – Shaping the Future – A Review of Education Services in Argyll and Bute • Appendix 1 – Implementation Timeline • Appendix 2 – Engagement with Argyll and Bute Council and Partners