South Ayrshire Council News

South Ayrshire Council’s Education, Culture and Lifelong Learning (ECCL) department has received praise for their Standards and Quality Report for the 2006/07 academic year.

Commenting on the report Councillor Hywel Davies, the Council’s Portfolio Carrier for Learning and Prosperity said: “I would like to congratulate all the staff within our schools, pupils and members of the education department staff for their hard work.

“The achievements outlined in the report have been possible because staff and pupils have worked together, in close partnership with parents, carers and other members of the community to make sure that our pupils achieve high standards. This report recognises what has been achieved, it outlines plans for the future and is a springboard for achieving even greater things in the current academic year.

“The education services delivered by the Council are diverse and enable people in South Ayrshire to make learning a lifelong experience.”

Within the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000 Scottish Minister had defined five national priorities for education. The Act enables local authorities to show how each of these l priorities will be implemented at a local level. This is done by creating education improvement objectives and reporting on the success of meeting these objectives.

The current national priorities for education are:

• Achievement and attainment.
• Framework for learning.
• Inclusion and equality.
• Values and citizenship.
• Learning for life

The education improvement objectives for ECLL for the academic year 2006/07 were:

• Raising levels of attainment and achievement.
• Ensuring that all learners are effectively supported to achieve their full potential.
• Engaging all learners in high quality learning experiences and providing an appropriate range of learning opportunities that are matched to individual need.
• Developing a culture of achievement and ambition which values and empowers staff and learners.
• Fostering and developing high quality leadership at all levels.
• Promoting respect and active citizenship.
• Developing partnerships and services which improve learning and well-being.
• Developing and improving learning environments.
• Maintaining and developing a highly skilled, motivated and professional workforce.