12 - Education Authority Annual Plan 2024-25
North Ayrshire Council · 27 August 2024
Back to Cabinet — 27 August 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Some pages contain no extractable text. They may be blank, graphics or scanned pages. OCR has not been applied.
Page 1
NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 27 August 2024 North Ayrshire Council Cabinet Title: Education Authority Annual Plan 2024-25 Purpose: To seek approval for the publication of the Education Authority’s annual Service Improvement Plan for 2024-25. This paper should be read in conjunction with the parallel paper reporting on the Standards and Quality Report (SQR). Recommendation: That Cabinet: (a) Approves the SIP for 2024-25, noting its alignment with the Council Plan priorities and the National Improvement Framework (NIF) priorities; and (b) Approves the publication of the plan. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 The Education Authority’s annual SIP sets out how North Ayrshire Council will deliver ongoing improvement in our education performance, including the strategic priorities of the NIF. In addition, the plan sets out the expected educational benefits of the improvement activities and how success will be measured. 1.2 The SIP aligns with the Council Plan 2023-28 strategic aim to “transition to a wellbeing economy, delivering prosperity, wellbeing and resilience for local people” and more specifically operationalises activities to improve educational attainment and achievement and reduce the attainment gap. This plan outlines an ambitious programme for how the Education Service will deliver better outcomes for children, young people, and communities in North Ayrshire. 2. Background 2.1 The Education (Scotland) Act 2016, which amended the Standards in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000, introduced the NIF for education and includes a requirement on education authorities to produce annual plans and reports in pursuance of the NIF priorities. Annual plans and reports should demonstrate progress and set out expected education benefits as well as how success will be measured.
Page 2
2.2 The NIF for Scottish Education 2024 was published in December 2023 and set out the Scottish Government’s vision for Scotland’s children and young people’s progress in learning through excellence and equity. All schools and education authorities have developed annual plans which focus on delivering: • Excellence through raising achievement and improving outcomes: ensuring that every child and young person achieves the highest standards in literacy and numeracy, as well as the values, attitudes, knowledge and skills necessary to shape a sustainable future as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens, and effective contributors; and • Achieving equity: ensuring every child and young person has the same opportunity to succeed, no matter their background or shared protected characteristics, with a particular focus on closing the poverty-related attainment gap. 2.3 The key priorities set out in the National Improvement Framework for 2024 are: • Placing the human rights and needs of every child and young person at the centre of education; • Improvement in children and young people’s health and wellbeing; • Closing the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged children and young people; • Improvement in skills and sustained, positive school-leaver destinations for all young people; and • Improvement in attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy. 2.4 The NAC Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 is a three-year plan which was approved in 2023. The priorities in the plan mirror the priorities within the NIF and also align to the Wellbeing priority within the North Ayrshire Council Plan 2023-28. In summary, they are as follows: • Improvement in attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy • Closing the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged children and young people • Improvement in skills and sustained, positive school-leaver destinations for all young people • Improvement in children and young people’s health and wellbeing • Placing human rights and needs of every child and young person at the centre of education 2.5 For each of the above, we include a description of what we will do, what we aim to improve as a result, and how we will measure success. This will then be reported through next year’s SQR. In addition, we have included a list of activities under the heading of ‘Strategic Support’, which reference critical areas such as learning environments, leadership and workforce planning. 2.6 In order to meet our statutory obligation to publish an annual plan, the three-year plan has been updated with priority actions for 2024-25 and outlines the broad areas of work for the service in the year ahead (the full report is attached as Appendix 1). • gap between the most and least disadvantaged children and young people’.
Page 3
2.7 This plan aligns with NAC’s Children’s Service’s Plan, and is underpinned by transformation activity within the Education Service to improve outcomes for children and young people. This includes activity in areas such as the Scottish Attainment Challenge, Support Needs, and Review of Early Learning and Childcare. 2.8 This plan also contains stretch aims which articulate the service’s ambition to improve a range of learner outcomes by 2026. The requirement to include three-year stretch aims within this plan was continued by Scottish Government in its updated ‘Framework for Recovery and Accelerating Progress’, published in May 2023. 2.9 Whilst the service will progress all five priorities, based on our analysis of performance data – including within the SQR - a particular focus of the work as a service and across our establishments in 2024-25 will be on: • Priority 1 – Improvement in attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy, and • Priority 2 – Closing the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged children and young people 2.10 Once approved, the education authority’s annual SIP must be published. A copy must also be sent to Scottish Ministers for reference. 3. Proposals 3.1 It is proposed that Cabinet: (a) Approves the SIP for 2024-25, noting its alignment with the Council Plan priorities and the National Improvement Framework (NIF) priorities; and (b) Approves the publication of the plan. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 No implications associated with the development and publication of the SIP per se, although the plan does outline how resources will be used over the coming session to improve outcomes. Human Resources 4.2 None. Legal 4.3 The production of an annual SIP is a requirement under the Education (Scotland) Act 2016. Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 The SIP sets out specific improvement actions designed to improve educational outcomes for all, and also to reduce the impact of poverty on educational attainment.
Page 4
Environmental and Sustainability 4.5 None. Key Priorities 4.6 This SIP aligns with the Council Plan 2023-28 strategic aim to “transition to a wellbeing economy, delivering prosperity, wellbeing and resilience for local people” and more specifically “improving educational attainment and achievement and closing the attainment gap” activities. Community Wealth Building 4.7 North Ayrshire’s Education Authority Annual Plan supports North Ayrshire’s Community Wealth Building aspirations through providing high quality skilled workers who can contribute to the local economy. In addition, initiatives outlined in the SIP provide opportunities for local businesses and people seeking employment in North Ayrshire. 5. Consultation 5.1 The content of the Education Authority annual plan for 2024-25 has been agreed across the education service following self-evaluation in schools and across the service of the progress towards the three-year plan and our medium-term stretch aims. The process of arriving at the service level priorities and strategic actions included engagement of Head Teacher and the service leadership team. At school level, priorities are identified through engagement with pupils, staff, parents/carers and key partners. Sam Anson Executive Director (Education) For further information please contact Andrew McClelland, Head of Service (Education), on 01294324413. Background Papers Service Improvement Plan – Appendix 1
Page 5
North Ayrshire Council Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 Includes Action Plan for 2024-25 Update
Page 6
2 North Ayrshire Council
Page 7
Contents Introduction 2 The National context 4 The Local context 5 Improving as a Service 9 North Ayrshire Council Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 10 Improving outcomes for learners – our stretch aims 12 Priority 1 16 Priority 2 18 Priority 3 20 Priority 4 22 Priority 5 24 Strategic support: Ensuring excellent educational experiences 26
Page 8
Introduction 2 North Ayrshire Council Andrew McClelland Head of Service (Education) and Chief Education Officer We have no poverty of expectation, opportunity or aspiration for our children, young people and their families. As a result, our over-riding aim is to improve the educational outcomes for all learners, particularly those most disadvantaged learners. In almost all aspects of learning there has been a consistent improving trend of achievement across the last decade in North Ayrshire. Throughout, our schools and early learning and childcare settings have had a clear focus on raising attainment and reducing the poverty-related attainment gap, in line with local and national priorities. Nevertheless, the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 brought with it significant challenges for our families and communities. National lockdowns, interrupted learning and significant changes in personal circumstances have impacted on the outcomes achieved by our children and young people. To mitigate this, we diverted significant resources. We invested in supporting our children and young people and maintaining a determination to make further progress in achievement for all learners. I am pleased to report that we are beginning to see the recovery take effect, with improvements in a range of areas last session. As part of our ongoing process of self- evaluation, we have scrutinised how well we are doing as a service in supporting recovery and further improvement and we have used this evidence to shape the content of this Education Service Improvement Plan for 2023-26. You will read in the forthcoming pages our priorities for the next three years, which are aligned to North Ayrshire’s Council Plan and the National Improvement Framework for Education. This document gives an overview of our priorities for the next three years and also summarises what we will do specifically in session 2024-25, what we aim to improve and how we will measure success.
Page 9
This plan is ambitious yet achievable for our children and young people. We are confident that outcomes for our learners will continue to improve throughout the life of this three-year plan and beyond. To demonstrate our sustained aspirations for and commitment to the children and young people we serve, we have included stretch aims for improvement over the next three years. All educational establishments have created their own improvement plans, aligned to the broad priorities and themes within this plan, and tailored to the individual contexts and needs of learners in each school community. These plans are available from individual establishments and are accessible electronically on their websites. This plan builds on the excellent teamwork across our directorate. It reaffirms our commitment to continuous improvement and to delivering for the children and young people of North Ayrshire. We are confident that outcomes for our learners will improve throughout the life of this three-year plan and beyond. To demonstrate our sustained aspirations for and commitment to the children and young people we serve, we have included stretch aims for improvement over the next three years. Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 3
Page 10
National Improvement Framework Priorities The National Context This plan is aligned to the priorities of the National Improvement Framework (NIF) and is designed to deliver the dual aims of excellence and equity in education for North Ayrshire’s children and young people. Our five priorities for the three years from 2023-26 are as follows: Improvement in attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy Closing the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged children and young people. Improvement in skills and sustained, positive school-leaver destinations for all young people. Improvement in children and young people’s health and wellbeing. Placing human rights and needs of every child and young person at the centre of education. In the creation of this plan, we have built on a robust evaluation of our local context and the progress we have made to date in the improvement of educational outcomes for young people. We have taken account of a range of key national drivers of change which will affect education provision in North Ayrshire, including: ● The current national programme of educational reform ● The ongoing national review of the curriculum ● The ongoing national review of supporting needs ● The priorities and drivers of the National Improvement Framework ● The refreshed Attainment Scotland Fund ● The national Child Poverty Delivery Plan ● The ongoing work to embed the articles of the UNCRC ● The Promise and its associated delivery plan ● Revised Child Protection Guidelines ● The national Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 4 North Ayrshire Council
Page 11
The Local Context The Education Service in North Ayrshire Council is responsible for the education of 17,408 pupils across the authority’s primary, secondary and additional support needs schools. A further 2,064 children attend early learning and childcare settings in North Ayrshire. 46% of our Children and young people live in postcodes in the most deprived areas of Scotland according to SIMD. 29% of our Children and young people are living in relative poverty, according to UK government statistics. 6,135 of our Children and young people are registered for school footwear and clothing grants. Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 5 5,990
Page 12
Council Priorities North Ayrshire Council’s current priorities are: Wellbeing Communities and Local Democracy Climate Change A Sustainable Council To transition to a wellbeing economy, delivering prosperity, wellbeing and resilience for local people. We will have active, inclusive and resilient communities. To achieve net-zero by 2030. A community wealth building council that is efficient and accessible, maximising investment and focusing resources towards our priorities. 6 North Ayrshire Council
Page 13
The education service is part of North Ayrshire Council’s Education Directorate, which works towards developing a society where everyone, has the same life chances to grow, prosper and have fulfilling and healthy lives. The education service has a central role in removing barriers and supporting delivery of the priority outcome to ensure North Ayrshire’s children and young people have the best start in life. Education in North Ayrshire is delivered through: 48 Primary Schools 15 Partnership early learning and childcare settings 8 Secondary Schools Pupils 17,408 1 Through School 1,422 Teachers 1 Specialist ASN Campus 387 Early learning and childcare staff 41 Council-managed early learning and childcare settings Support staff hours 13,500 This plan should be read in the context of these associated local plans: North Ayrshire Council Plan 2023-28 North Ayrshire Children Services Plan 2023-26 North Ayrshire Child Poverty Action Plan 2023 SWEIC – Regional Delivery Plan 2023-24 Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 7
Page 14
8 North Ayrshire Council
Page 15
Improving as a Service Our commitment to continuous improvement permeates the work of the service. Our establishments work very closely together with each other and our central team in a culture of positive support and challenge. Our overarching approach can be summarised as follows: We strive to be a learning organisation. We support the principles of subsidiarity and empowerment of our head teachers and school communities. We evaluate the impact of the central education team in supporting consistency of improvement across our educational establishments. We work closely in partnership with colleagues across our Regional Improvement Collaborative and nationally. We are investing in the quality of our teachers, practitioners and support staff. We are investing in our learning environments to ensure they maximise opportunities for engagement and achievement for all. We are developing the leaders of tomorrow through our innovative leadership and facilitation programmes. 9Education Service Improvement Plan 2022-23
Page 16
North Ayrshire Council Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 For the three years from 2023-26, the NAC Education Service Improvement Plan will focus on a stable and consistent set of priorities. Under each of the five priorities, we will undertake improvement activities grouped together under key themes. These will remain consistent across the three years. Each academic year, we will update the specific actions we will take forward during that school year in pursuit of these priorities. The high-level priorities and themes of our Education Service Improvement Plan for 2023-26 are as follows: PRIORITY 01 Improvement in attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy. THEMES: • High quality learning, teaching and assessment • Raising attainment and achievement PRIORITY 02 Closing the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged children and young people. THEMES: • Interventions to reduce gaps • Specific focus on identified target groups, including care experienced learners PRIORITY 03 Improvement in skills and sustained, positive school- leaver destinations for all young people. THEMES: • Improving skills • Partnerships to improve post-school learner outcomes PRIORITY 04 Improvement in children and young people’s health and wellbeing. THEMES: • Improving attendance • Supporting mental health and wellbeing • Supporting physical health and wellbeing • Supporting social and emotional wellbeing PRIORITY 05 Placing human rights and needs of every child and young person at the centre of education. THEMES: • Supporting children’s needs • Maximising learner voice and participation • Maximising parent/ carer involvement and engagement The work of the Service Improvement Plan will be enhanced through a focus on STRATEGIC SUPPORT themes as follows: • Policies and operating procedures • Creating inspiring learning environments • Investing in leadership • Workforce planning 10 North Ayrshire Council Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 11
Page 17
Improving outcomes for learners – our stretch aims Below are the key core outcomes for learners we are working to improve by 2026, based on the most recently available cohort and performance information. CORE OUTCOMES FOR IMPROVEMENT Performance up to 2023 Stretch Aim (by August 2026) Actual Progress Summary (updated annually) Description of improvement Performance Measure 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Core Stretch Aim 1 The proportion of learners in North Ayrshire who achieve the expected levels of attainment in literacy at P1, P4 and P7 will increase. All learners 74% n/a 59% 67% 68% 75% – – – Q1 67% n/a 49% 60% 63% 72% – – – Q2-5 79% n/a 67% 74% 74% 80% – – – Gap 1 (Q1 vv Q2-5) -12pp n/a -18pp -14pp -11pp -8pp – – – Core Stretch Aim 2 The proportion of learners in North Ayrshire who achieve the expected levels of attainment in numeracy at P1, P4 and P7 will increase. All learners 79% n/a 67% 75% 76% 81% – – – Q1 74% n/a 58% 69% 71% 78% – – – Q2-5 84% n/a 75% 81% 80% 86% – – – Gap 1 (Q1 vv Q2-5) -10pp n/a -17pp -12pp -9pp -8pp – – – Core Stretch Aim 3 The proportion of school leavers who achieve 1 or more awards at SCQF level 5 or better will increase. All learners 87% 86% 90% 89% n/a 92% – – – Q1 80% 79% 83% 82% n/a 89% – – – Q2-5 93% 92% 95% 93% n/a 95% – – – Gap 1 (Q1 vv Q2-5) -13pp -13pp -12pp -11pp n/a -6pp – – – Core Stretch Aim 4 The proportion of school leavers who achieve 1 or more passes at SCQF level 6 (grades A-C) or better will increase. All learners 65% 67% 71% 68% n/a 74% – – – Q1 52% 55% 61% 56% n/a 62% – – – Q2-5 75% 76% 78% 77% n/a 80% – – – Gap 1 (Q1 vv Q2-5) -23pp -21pp -17pp -21pp n/a -18pp – – – Core Stretch Aim 5 The proportion of 16-19 year-olds who are participating in education, employment or training will increase. All learners 90.5% 90.6% 90.1% 90.8% 93.9% 95% – – – Q1 87.8% 86.9% 85.3% 88.0% 90.6% 92.5% – – – Q2-5 92.4% 93.5% 93.9% 93.0% 96.2% 97.5% – – – Gap 1 (Q1 vv Q2-5) -4.6pp -6.6pp -8.6pp -5pp -5.6pp -5pp – – – Core Stretch Aim 6 School attendance levels will increase. All learners 92.1% 91.6% 91.4% 89.4% 88.8% 93% – – – Q1 90.7% 90.1% 89.9% 87.7% 86.7% 92% – – – Q2-5 93.2% 92.8% 92.8% 90.8% 90.5% 94% – – – Gap 1 (Q1 vv Q2-5) -2.5pp -2.7pp -2.9pp -3.1pp -3.8pp -2pp – – – 12 North Ayrshire Council Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 13
Page 18
Improving outcomes for learners – our stretch aims (cont.) Below are the additional outcomes for learners we are working to improve by 2026. ADDITIONAL OUTCOMES FOR IMPROVEMENT Performance up to 2023 Stretch Aim (by August 2026) Actual Progress Summary (updated annually) Description of improvement Performance Measure 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Additional Stretch Aim 1 The proportion of children achieving local early learning milestones by the start of P1 will increase. All learners 78.2% n/a 72.0% 78.5% 81.4% 83% – – – Q1 75.3% n/a 61.8% 75.6% 75.1% 79.5% – – – Q2-5 80.7% n/a 80.8% 81.4% 86.8% 86% – – – Gap 1 (Q1 vv Q2-5) -5.4pp n/a -19pp -5.8pp -11.7pp -6.5pp – – – Additional Stretch Aim 2 The proportion of school leavers achieving literacy at SCQF Level 5 or better will increase. All learners 83.8% 81.5% 85.0% 83.8% n/a 85.5% – – – Q1 75.0% 73.3% 78.7% 76.4% n/a 79% – – – Q2-5 90.8% 87.5% 90.0% 89.0% n/a 90.5% – – – Gap 1 (Q1 vv Q2-5) -15.8pp -14.2pp -11.3pp -12.6pp n/a -11.5pp – – – Additional Stretch Aim 3 The proportion of school leavers achieving numeracy at SCQF Level 5 or better will increase. All learners 69.3% 70.8% 72.3% 71.4% n/a 74% – – – Q1 58.5% 59.3% 64.0% 60.6% n/a 65% – – – Q2-5 77.7% 79.1% 78.6% 79.1% n/a 81% – – – Gap 1 (Q1 vv Q2-5) -19.1pp -19.8pp -14.6pp -18.5pp n/a -16pp – – – Additional Stretch Aim 4 The average “complementary tariff score” of school leavers’ best five qualifications will increase. All learners 599 643 665 643 n/a 675 – – – Q1 465 495 539 508 n/a 570 – – – Q2-5 703 751 765 740 n/a 775 – – – Gap 1 (Q1 vv Q2-5) -238pts -256pts -226pts -232pts n/a -205pts – – – Additional Stretch Aim 5 The proportion of care experienced school leavers who achieve 1 or more awards at SCQF levels 4, 5 and 6 will increase. 1+ Level 4 or better 84.7% 77.2% 86.1% 90.3% n/a 92.5% – – – 1+ Level 5 or better 50.6% 53.2% 62.4% 67.7% n/a 69.5% – – – 1+ Level 6 or better 27.1% 29.1% 40.6% 34.4% n/a 36.5% – – – Additional Stretch Aim 6 The proportion of care experienced school leavers who achieve literacy and numeracy qualifications at SCQF levels 4 and 5 or better will increase. Lit L4 or better 75.5% 74.4% 71.7% 81.6% n/a 84% – – – Lit L5 or better 39.6% 53.9% 40.0% 51.0% n/a 55% – – – Num L4 or better 64.2% 69.2% 55.0% 79.6% n/a 84% – – – Num L5 or better 26.4% 38.5% 33.3% 32.7% n/a 45% – – – 14 North Ayrshire Council Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 15
Page 19
Appendix: Specific improvement actions for session 2024-25 Priority 1: Improvement in attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy Theme 1: High quality learning, teaching and assessment What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Continue to enhance the Professional Learning Academy approaches to supporting establishments with improving the quality of learning and teaching and raising attainment: including a refinement of the 4 blocks of interventions and the expansion of bespoke twilight and in-service training tailored to establishment improvement plans. Improve consistency and quality of learning, teaching and assessment across all establishments. Quality of learning, teaching and assessment will be evaluated as good or better in all establishments. (HGIOS 2.3/HGIOELC 2.3/QIF/ School Reviews/PLA impact data) Expand approaches to play pedagogy across Early Years establishments and the early stages of Primary to increase impact on children's progress, supported by the development of a suite of audit tools and benchmarking frameworks. To improve the consistency and quality of play pedagogy delivery across all Early Years establishments and Primary schools. The proportion of children achieving NAC early learning milestones by the end of ELC and early level by the end of P1 will increase. (Milestones data/ACEL/stretch aim/QIF) Create a new authority-wide framework for digital learning to support high quality learning and teaching across all schools and EYCs Improve the consistent and effective use of digital technologies to enhance learning in all establishments. Quality of learning, teaching and assessment will be evaluated as good or better in all establishments. The number of schools achieving Digital Schools status will increase.(HGIOS & HGIOELC 2.3, 3.3/QIF/ Digital Schools Award) Theme 2: Raising attainment and achievement What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Co-create with senior leaders a NAC Raising Attainment and Achievement strategy which includes: • Effective use of tracking and monitoring and attainment discussions • Improved data literacy skills across all staff groups (including toolkit) • The relaunch of raising attainment subject networks and DHT networks (Secondary) Improve coherency, planning and approaches to raising attainment across NAC Early Years establishments and schools with clear expectations for staff at all levels. Raising attainment and achievement will be evaluated as good or better in all establishments. (HGIOS 3.2 HGIOELC 3.2/QIF) The percentage of children and young people achieving the expected Curriculum for Excellence levels will increase (ACEL data) (stretch aims) The percentage of school leavers achieving literacy and numeracy qualifications will increase. (Insight national benchmarks L4,5,6) The overall levels of achievement of school leavers will increase. (Insight attainment for all 20/60/20) Implement further target setting arrangements to raise attainment and achievement for all. Improve the quality of monitoring progress in learning and the effective use of targeted interventions. Deploy additional teaching staff to support schools to raise attainment, particularly in literacy and numeracy, at key stages. Improve attainment levels with specific target groups across a range of establishments, identified through prior attainment performance. 16 North Ayrshire Council Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 17
Page 20
Priority 2: Closing the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged children and young people Theme 1: Interventions to reduce gaps What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Through regular and robust tracking and monitoring of data, the Early Years Excellence and Equity Leads team will work to support the further reduction of the poverty-related achievement gap. To improve early years outcomes for all children, particularly those most disadvantaged. The overall proportion of children achieving NAC early learning milestones by the end of ELC and early level by the end of P1 will increase. The gap between the achievement data of the most and least disadvantaged learners will reduce. (Milestones/ACEL data) (stretch aims) Theme 2: Specific focus on identified target groups, including care experienced learners 18 North Ayrshire Council Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 19 What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success ŽŶƚŝŶƵĞƚŽĚĞůŝǀĞƌĂŶĚĞŶŚĂŶĐĞƚŚĞDZWĂƚŚǁĂLJƐƉƌŽŐƌĂŵŵĞŝŶĂůůE^ĞĐŽŶĚĂƌLJƐĐŚŽŽůƐƚŽƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ĐĂƌĞͲĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚůĞĂƌŶĞƌƐ͕ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ͗ ͻ ƚŚĞĞdžƉĂŶƐŝŽŶŽĨƚŚĞƉƌŽŐƌĂŵŵĞƚŽŝŶĐůƵĚĞ džƚĞŶĚĞĚKƵƚƌĞĂĐŚĂŶĚƌƌĂŶ ͻ ƚŚĞƉƌŽǀŝƐŝŽŶŽĨďĞƐƉŽŬĞƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂůůĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƚŽDZWĂƚŚǁĂLJƐŽͲŽƌĚŝŶĂƚŽƌƐ ͻ ƚŚĞĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚŽĨůŝŶŬƐƚŽWƌŝŵĂƌLJ^ĐŚŽŽůƐ Improve the attendance, engagement and achievement of care experienced children and young people. Attendance levels will improve and exclusion levels will reduce for all care experienced learners. (Seemis attendance/exclusion data) Achievement levels will improve for care experienced learners. (ACEL data/Insight average complementary tariff scores) The gap specifically between the achievement levels of care experienced learners and all other learners will reduce. (Milestone Data/ACEL data/ Insight average complementary tariff scores) Support the delivery of the Promise Education Award with a pilot group of schools. Improve the quality of experience for care experienced young people in NAC secondary schools. The number of schools earning the Promise Education Award will increase. Feedback from care experienced young people will confirm improvements in their educational experience. (Award data/qualitative data from focus groups)
Page 21
Priority 3: Improvement in skills and sustained, positive school-leaver destinations for all young people Theme 1: Improved skills What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Increase direct links within the curriculum to the Ayrshire Growth Deal and design further opportunities for skills development in a range of contexts, including: • deliver ‘Performing Engineering Operations’ at SCQF Level 5; • develop with Secondary schools learner pathways leading to PEO course; • develop DYW links with XLCC to support Secondary schools in creating pathways to relevant employment and training opportunities Improve the articulation between curriculum and skills development through an increased knowledge and understanding of the Ayrshire Growth Deal. The senior phase curriculum offer will be broadened to recognise the 5 key programmes within the Ayrshire Growth Deal: Aerospace and Space/Communities/Economic Infrastructure/Energy, Circular Economy, and Environment/Tourism PEO course will run in 2-3 pilot schools in session 2025-26. Buisiness links between XLCC and secondary schools will be created. (Qualifications data) Support Early Years establishments and schools to review curriculum purpose and design. Improve the shared understanding of the purpose and design of the curriculum and to support innovation and improvement to enhance the curriculum and learning experiences for all learners. Curriculum reviews and design of curriculum offers will be evident in almost all establishment and School Improvement Plans. The number and quality of successful candidate presentations across all SCQF qualifications will increase in our secondary schools.. (QIF/Insight breadth and depth / Insight average complementary tariff scores) 20 North Ayrshire Council Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 21
Page 22
Priority 4: Improvement in children and young people’s health and wellbeing Theme 2: Supporting social and emotional wellbeing What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Improve staff capacity to positively address dysregulated behaviour and its impact on individual learners, staff and the wider establishment. Improve the consistency of approach to promoting positive relationships across all establishments. Improve everyone's sense of safety and wellbeing in our establishments. Improve learner outcomes for learners with SEBN. Analysis of incidents resorded on the ASSURE system will demonstrate positive progress. The demand for external day placements with specialised SEBN provision will not increase. Quantitative and qualitative data from target groups of learners will show improved learning outcomes. (ASSURE data/Inclusion group data/PASS data/ Information from reviews/ Attainment info) Uodate and enhance the Promoting Positive Relationships policy to strengthen approaches to promoting positive behaviour. and refresh the range of evidence based professional learning and interventions to promote emotional regulation, manage conflict and raise adult presence to ensure our educational establishments are places of safety for everyone. Theme 3: Improving attendance 22 North Ayrshire Council Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 23 What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Update the Education Service attendance policy and SEEMIS guidance alongside developing a positive campaign to promote and ensure positive attendance. Improve guidance to establishments on maximising pupil attendance through updated documentation. Improve pupil attendance of targeted groups through consistent and shared approaches. Attendance levels will improve, late coming will reduce and exclusion levels will reduce for all learners. (Seemis attendance/exclusion data/ PASS data) Develop a targeted staged approach to early identification of emotionally-based school non-attendance with a focus on key groups such as care-experienced learners. Improve the assessment of attendance issues and their underlying causes at an earlier stage, leading to earlier intervention and improved attendance. Attendance levels will improve, late coming will reduce and exclusion levels will reduce for specific groups of learners, including those with attendance of below 50%/between 80-90%. (Seemis attendance/exclusion data/PASS data) Theme 1: Supporting mental health and wellbeing What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Improve the consistency of pupil experience of approaches to supporting children's mental health and wellbeing through the increased staff knowledge and application of these approaches/resources in practice. Staff knowledge and confidence in supporting mental health will improve and pupil outcomes will improve. (Staff survey/PASS data/QIF /QI3.1 evaluations/SDQ/Exclusion data) Continue to embed whole school approaches to supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing, ensuring integration with community mental health and wellbeing approaches: including a refresh of our "Be Amazin'" anxiety support resource and the further development of Project Restore. Review approaches to supporting learners with social, emotional and behavioural needs (SEBN) within targeted provisions and mainstream environments.
Page 23
Priority 5: Placing human rights and needs of every child and young person at the centre of education Theme 1: Supporting needs What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Review targeted provisions delivering enhanced support through Outreach Support Services and Secondary Support Resources. Improve the consistency and cohesion between all elements of Outreach Support Services and establishments. Improve quality and impact of Secondary Support Resources. Improve the provision of in-house targeted support tailored to learners' needs. The number of referrals for external specialist provision will not increase. Analysis of referrals and qualitative feedback will demonstrate that revised provision is appropriate. (School/Inclusion Group internal data) Refresh and refine the professional learning offer for teaching and support teams around supporting the most prevalent needs in NAC – including neurodiversity, SEBN and language & communication. Enhance guidance around the deployment of Pupil Support Assistants. Improve skills, knowledge and understanding of all staff (including the newly established Pupil Support Assistant workforce) to best meet the needs of the children and young people in our establishments. Stakeholder evaluations will demonstrate improved knowledge and improved capacity to support the range of needs of the children and young people in their care. (Focus groups/ surveys) Theme 2: Maximising learner participation and voice What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Complete and implement a new Learner Participation Policy and increase opportunities for children and young people to play a meaningful role in shaping education and Council policy and practice, for example through piloting a Young Leaders of Learning initiative in a small number of establishments. Improve learner participation and voice in the four arenas of participation. Learners will participate more meaningfully in all areas of school life. (QIF/HGIOURS/SI) The Service Improvement Group for Learner Participation will monitor and evaluate North Ayrshire’s learner participation strategy. Theme 3: Maximising parent/carer involvement and engagement 24 North Ayrshire Council Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 25 What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Establish an authority-wide forum to support families with children who have identified needs in collaboration with parents and carers. Improve communication with parents and carers. Improve the quality of support literature for families to deepen understanding of how North Ayrshire Council supports needs. Improve the range and quality of opportunities for parental engagement and involvement in discussions and planning around supporting needs. Parent/carer evaluations of their opportunities for involvement in decision making at school level will increase. Evaluative feedback from the newly established Supporting Needs parents and carers forum will demonstrate improvement. (Parental survey/HGIOS 2.4/HGIOURS 2.4)
Page 24
Strategic support: Ensuring excellent educational experiences Theme 1: Policies and operating procedures What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Continue the programme to replace Standard Circulars with new Policies and Operating Procedures. Policy and practice inconsistencies will reduce. (QIF/complaint records). Satisfaction levels will increase (Annual stakeholder surveys). Theme 2: Creating inspiring learning environments What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the learning estate in terms of condition, suitability and sufficiency through the delivery of key projects, including: replacement Moorpark Primary School; Ardrossan Community Campus; expansion of dining facilities at West Kilbride PS, Glebe PS, Loudoun- Montgomery PS. Improve learning environments to ensure we: provide creative and engaging lifelong learning and teaching opportunities; are environmentally efficient; are digitally enabled; and meet the needs of all current and future learners. The strategic objectives of each project will be met. (Project objective measures/stakeholder evaluation) Theme 3: Investing in leadership What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Design programmes to support the professional development of our staff – including phase 2 of the New Heads Induction Programme, the embedding of the DHT professional learning networks, and the partnership delivery of the SWEIC leadership development programme. Improve the professional learning offer and leadership development pipeline for leaders at a range of levels across the system, leading to strengthened leadership of our establishments. The number of participants in masters level learning will increase. The quality of leadership in our establishments will be further enhanced. (Into Headship participants/QI 1.3 evaluations/ applicants for leadership posts) Theme 4: Workforce Planning 26 North Ayrshire Council Education Service Improvement Plan 2023-26 27 What we will do What we aim to improve How we will measure success Support service redesign across various education teams to ensure the efficient and effective deployment of resource to deliver high quality service. Improve the service redesign process through enhanced understanding of the service objective, people and financial implications of proposals. Service objectives will continue to be met successfully within the policy and financial context. (Budget monitoring/service self- evaluation/workforce planning data) Refresh our approach to promoting and protecting staff wellbeing, recognising the link between staff and pupil wellbeing. ĂƚĂĨƌŽŵ,ZƐLJƐƚĞŵƐǁŝůůĚĞŵŽŶƐƚƌĂƚĞ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚƐ͘ ;,Z/^ͬ K,ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƌͿ ^ƵƉƉŽƌƚƚŚĞĞƐƚĂďůŝƐŚŵĞŶƚŽĨŶĞǁ,ĞĂůƚŚ͕ ^ĂĨĞƚLJĂŶĚtĞůůďĞŝŶŐĐŽŵŵŝƚƚĞĞƐǁŝƚŚŝŶĞƐƚĂďůŝƐŚŵĞŶƚƐ, including a specific focus in 2024-25 on addressing training needs. Improve clarity of policy and consistency of implementation across establishments, leading to improved outcomes for schools and their children/ young people. /ŵƉƌŽǀĞƐƚĂĨĨǁĞůůďĞŝŶŐ͕ ĂƚƚĞŶĚĂŶĐĞĂŶĚũŽď ƐĂƚŝƐĨĂĐƚŝŽŶ͘ Improve collective understanding of our shared responsibility. Improve collegiality in identifying and addressing H&S issues within establishments Service-wide H&S committee will confirm the effectiveness of this approach. (H&S committee data/feedback from participants/QIF).
Page 25
28 North Ayrshire Council
Page 26
No embedded text on this page.
Page 27
No embedded text on this page.