Education Committee - 25/01/2016

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 25th January, 2016.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 7th December, 2015 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillors Hunter, McCready and Brennan declared a non-financial interest by virtue of having children who attend the affected schools.

Mr Baxter declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his employment as a teacher.

II PARENT REPRESENTATION ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN8-2016 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 representatives on the Education Committee.

The Committee had received a nomination as Primary Sector representative from the Parent Council body. The nominee was Michelle Mackenzie from Downfield Parent Council.

Ms Mackenzie had agreed to abide by the Code of Conduct in accordance with the Standards Commission's Guidance.

The Committee noted the appointment.

III PROPOSALS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 33 WEEK PERIOD IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

There was submitted Report No 31-2016 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service informing the Committee of a proposal to implement a 33 week period model across all secondary schools.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Murray, moved approval of the recommendations in the report to:-

(i) note the contents of the report;

(ii) approve the rationale for the proposal; and

(iii) instruct the Executive Director of Children and Families Service to implement the change to a 33 period week across all Dundee Secondary Schools for the start of school session 2016/2017.

As an amendment Councillor Macpherson seconded by Mr Baxter moved: After the following paragraph to read:- 2.0 The Committee is asked to note the contents of the report but take no further action at this time.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Duncan, Depute Lord Provost Roberts, Bailies Sawers, Wright, Scott and Borthwick, Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Lynn, McDonald, Murray, Ross, Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready and McGovern, Miss Mands and Monsignor McCaffrey (29); and for the amendment - Councillor Macpherson and Mr Baxter (2) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

IV DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL'S INITIAL SCHOOL LEAVER DESTINATIONS 2014/2015

There was submitted Report No 30-2016 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service detailing the progress made in Dundee towards increasing the number of young people leaving school and entering a positive destination for the period August, 2014 to September, 2015.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the improvement in school leaver destination results and that the percentage of Dundee school leavers in positive destinations was now above the national average; and

(ii) acknowledge the impact of the Secondary and Post School Strategic Planning Group in implementing partnership responses to support young people's transitions from school into education, employment or training.

The Committee further agreed:-

(i) to correct the disparities by gender and SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) groups in school leaver destinations highlighted in the Skills Development Scotland report; and

(ii) that the Executive Director of Children and Families Service provides an Action Plan that focuses on enhancing the relative under performance of young men and the winter leavers in our schools.

V SCOTTISH ATTAINMENT CHALLENGE - PROGRESS REPORT

There was submitted Report No 29-2016 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service providing a progress update of the Scottish Attainment Challenge in Dundee.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the nature of the Scottish Attainment Challenge and welcomed and supported the new initiative and investment; and

(ii) instructed the Executive Director of Children and Families Service to continue to provide ongoing updates with regard to funding and the implementation of the Scottish Attainment Challenge in Dundee.

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.