Published on:
12
March 2012
The key strengths of the Council's Education Service have been discussed by councillors.
The Standards and Quality Report for Education for 2010/11 was presented to today's meeting of the Council.
The report highlights improvements made during the year and sets out the objectives for the year ahead.
The meeting heard that Curriculum for Excellence and Getting it Right for Every Child were the key drivers for the education service's work in 2010/11 in raising overall attainment and achievement.
Raising attainment remains a high priority. While attainment by the end
of S4 fell overall, overall attainment at S5 and S6 improved in 2012/11. Improved attainment and achievement through the continued development of effective implementation of Curriculum for Excellence is a priority or 2011/12.
Sadly the recession has had an impact on school leaver destinations and there has been a small rise in the number of young people who are reported as being unemployed, from 9.1% to 12.1%. Continued development of basic skills for learning work and life to ensure that all school leavers can arrive at positive destinations and contribute to Clackmannanshire's economy is a priority for 2011/12.
Strength in partnership working is identified throughout the report. For
example, the Education Service's work with NHS Forth Valley has supported the Health and Wellbeing agenda. Strong partnerships have also been developed with Forth Valley College to help support the 16 plus agenda.
Sports Development remains a key strength of the Service. The team offer a wide range of activities for all age ranges and this includes a well developed programme of extra curricular activities.
Councillor Mark English, Inclusion Portfolio Holder, said: "The Education Service is well placed, with the increased capacity of the Shared Service, to take forward the agreed ambitious improvement agenda of improved attainment, achievement and ambition for all. We committed significant funding to education when we set the budget in February, making provision for additional dedicated 'raising attainment officers' in each of our three secondary schools to coach, mentor and support all pupils in increasing attainment. This was in addition to increased funding for an enhanced parental involvement strategy and improved breakfast club take up. Overall the additional educational investment will create a more holistic approach which will greatly improve pupils learning experiences in Clackmannanshire."