Education Committee - 24/09/2012

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th September, 2012.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th August, 2012 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillors McCready and Ross declared non-financial interests in relation to Article V as they each have a child who attends an After School Club.

II PARENT AND PUPIL REPRESENTATION ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN153-2012 where reference was made to Article VI of the minute of meeting of the City Council held on 20th August, 2012, wherein it was agreed to seek nominations for parent and pupil representatives to serve on the Education Committee.

Nominations had been received on behalf of the City's Parent and Pupil Councils:-

Susan Clelland, Parent Council Representative - Ballumbie Primary School

Graham McKay, Parent Council Representative - Harris Academy

Lauren McDade, Pupil Council Representative - Craigie High School

All three nominees had agreed to abide by the Code of Conduct in accordance with the Standards Commission's Guidance.

The Committee agreed to note the appointments.

III TEACHER REPRESENTATION ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN163-2012 where reference was made to Article IV of the statutory meeting of the City Council held on 21st May, 2012, wherein it was agreed that the current Teacher representatives continued for a further period of six months to allow arrangements to be made for new representatives to be appointed to the Committee.

Having sought nominations for two vacancies, only one nomination had been received from Mr Arthur Forrest.

The nominee had agreed to abide by the Code of Conduct in accordance with the Standards Commission Guidance. In relation to the remaining vacancy, the Head of Democratic and Legal Services would seek nominations and report back to this Committee in due course.

The Committee noted the appointment.

IV EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN 2012/2017

There was submitted Report No 357-2012 by the Director of Education presenting the Education Department's Service Plan for the period 2012 to 2017.

The Committee agreed to approve the report and service plan and instructed the Director of Education to monitor the progress and impact of the plan, and report back, as required, in the revised corporate service planning guidelines.

V OUT OF SCHOOL SERVICES IN DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 359-2012 by the Director of Education seeking approval to provide funding and support to improve the quality of Out of School Care Services.

The Committee approved:-

(i) funding of grants to the 21 Out of School Care Clubs across Dundee which would be disseminated through Dundee Out of School Care Network;

(ii) provision of funding to Dundee Out of School Care Network to support a Big Event for children attending the 21 Out of School Care Clubs in the summer of 2013; and

(iii) provision of funding to Dundee Out of School Care Network for an information sharing seminar.

VI SQA ATTAINMENT (PRE-APPEAL DATA - 2012)

There was submitted Report No 358-2012 by the Director of Education informing the Committee of the S4-S6 pupil performance in the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) examination diet of 2012.

The Committee noted:-

(i) the performance of pupils in the May - June 2012 SQA examinations based on pre‑appeal data; and

(ii) the ongoing strategies being deployed to raise attainment in Dundee's secondary schools.

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.