Improving Scottish Education
Perth & Kinross Education Services are in a good position to
build on national recommendations for improvement.
HM Inspectorate of Education recently issued
'Improving Scottish Education' [pdf 3.16MB], a
report covering the findings of its inspection and review programme
for 2005 - 2008. It also details areas that Scottish
education must work on over the next three years, to best meet the
needs of learners so they can develop their skills and knowledge to
help the entire country thrive in the future.
In the
Council's response to the national report [pdf 150KB] ,
links are drawn between the areas for improvement recommended by
HMIE, what has been achieved in Perth and Kinross over the last
three years, and the key local priorities to raise achievement for
all, support vulnerable children and families, and ensure equal
access to community, leisure and cultural services.
In Perth & Kinross, pupils' overall levels of attainment in
reading, writing and mathematics in primary and secondary have been
steadily improving in the last five years. In 2008, there was
a significant improvement in pupils' levels of attainment in
reading and writing by the end of S2. The proportion of young
people achieving Credit or Intermediate 2 awards by the end of S4
and Highers and Advanced Highers by the end of S6 ranks among the
highest performing Council areas in Scotland. In 2007 - 2008,
there was a significant increase in the attainment of young people
formerly looked after by the Council, and the level of exclusions
in primary and secondary schools reduced by 20%.
Very good progress has also been made with the implementation of a
Curriculum for Excellence. The Council has developed a
three-year implementation plan which has attracted considerable
interest nationally and officers have been asked to make
contributions at national events on the approaches being taken
forward in Perth and Kinross. A five-part strategy for
Creating a Curriculum for Excellence has been prepared which
provides advice to schools on the curriculum framework for 3 - 18
year olds, the role of enterprise and vocational learning,
effective learning and teaching and effective use of assessment to
support learning.
Steps are also being taken to enhance learning and teaching by
improved use of information and communications technology through
GLOW, the national schools intranet. A number of innovative
projects are currently being developed including a strategy for
improving learning and literacy and creating a virtual learning
environment for Perth and Kinross.
