Education Committee - 16/04/2001

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 16th April, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor de GERNIER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th March, 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DEFERRED ENTRY TO PRIMARY ONE

The Convener stated that to date the Education Department had received 131 applications for deferred entry to primary 1. The applications had been prioritised by school staff in consultation with parents and there were currently 87 priority 1 cases, 33 priority 2 cases and 11 priority 3 cases.

All deferred entry priority 1 pupils would be offered a place in their current nursery schools or classes for session 2001 - 2002 and that it was very likely that deferred entry priority 2 and 3 pupils would be accommodated also although this would not be known until details of all applications had been received.

The Committee welcomed the assurances given by the Convener.

II MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 27TH AND 28TH MARCH, 2001

The minutes of the above meetings (Appendices I and II) were submitted for information.

III MINUTES OF MEETING OF JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TEACHERS OF 12TH DECEMBER, 2000

The minutes of the above meeting (Appendix III) were submitted for information.

IV MINUTES OF MEETING OF TEACHERS' GRIEVANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 15TH MARCH, 2001

The minutes of the above meeting (Appendix IV) were submitted for information.

V HM INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS - FOLLOW UP TO THE STANDARD INSPECTION OF BRAEVIEW ACADEMY

There was submitted and noted the report of HM Inspectors of Schools with regard to the follow-up inspection of Braeview Academy.

VI MANAGING CHANGE : STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES FOR INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE IN PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING - EDINBURGH - 27TH APRIL, 2001

It was reported that the above seminar organised by Children in Scotland was to take place in Edinburgh on 27th April, 2001 at a cost of 95 plus travel and subsistence.

The Committee approved the attendance of the Convener or nominee at the above Conference on 27th April, 2001.

VII HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMISSION - SCHOOLS EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

It was reported that Gillian Ross Pond, Education Services Manager had been invited to take up an appointment to serve on the above Committee until February, 2004 to advise on and contribute to health and safety proposals.

The appointment involves attending meetings in London approximately six to eight times per year with all travel and subsistence costs being met by the Commission.

The Committee approved the appointment.

VIII SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS

There was submitted Report No. 226-2001 by the Director of Education seeking approval for the provision of funding to support the Dundee Sitter Services, Homestart Dundee and the Scottish Pre-School Play Association (SPPA).

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report and approved the provision of funding to Dundee Sitter Service (52,500), Homestart Dundee (29,000) and SPPA (18,533).

CONFIDENTIAL ITEM

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the public and press be excluded during consideration of the undernoted item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of information which is exempt in terms of paragraph 5 of Schedule 7A to the Act.

IX REQUEST FOR EDUCATION AT HOME

There was submitted Report No. 187-2001 by the Director of Education bringing to the attention of the Committee an application for the provision of education at home for a Dundee pupil of secondary school age.

The Committee agreed to reject the application for education at home for the above child.

George de GERNIER, Convener.