Attainment and Improvement Updates

The Highland Council's Education Committee (on Thursday 21 November 2024) will consider two reports (Item 6 & 11) to update Members on its progress in raising attainment and its plans to ensure continuous improvement in Education and Learning.

Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: "The pattern of improving attainment in our Primary stages is welcomed. However, it is recognised that across the service there remains scope to further raise attainment and improve outcomes for learners, particularly our senior phase learners.

"It's important to acknowledge that this is the first time in 4 years that no adjustments have been made to Senior Phase assessment models to reflect the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, we all know that our young people are still experiencing its effects, both in terms of the interruption to their learning but also in their broader health and wellbeing. You can see this is reflected in attainment across Scotland this year. Whilst it shouldn't come as a surprise that it will take time to return to pre-Covid levels of performance, I am really pleased to see where Highland has been able to keep pace or indeed in some cases, do better than the national position and our virtual comparators this year.

"It is also the case that due to the Covid-19 pandemic; alternative methods of assessment were put in place for 2020 and 2021 and then in 2022 and 2023 diets were also a transitional point back to a traditional model of assessment. As such, caution is needed when making direct comparisons between years that had different assessment approaches.

"Our schools continue to face challenges in relation to the cost-of-living crisis and supporting the health & wellbeing of learners. There are plans outlined to address the issues around improving pupil attendance and engaging through the GIRFEC agenda with those who need support for significant health and wellbeing issues. There are also plans to update Highland's Raising Attainment Strategy to align key strategies and approaches to raise attainment and close the poverty related attainment gap."

Local Authorities have a duty to improve standards in education, challenging and supporting educational establishments to ensure continuous improvement. The National Improvement Framework (NIF) outlines the progress that has been made and outlines key strategies.

Highland's Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels (ACEL) provisional data indicates accelerated improvement in literacy (reading, writing, listening & talking) and numeracy. Secondary Senior Phase attainment is broadly in line with the virtual comparators and our positive destination for school leavers has increased this year.

Next steps to support raising attainment across all schools and all stages is a priority for the service. The Raising Attainment Action Plan will be reviewed and refreshed to ensure everyone in the system is clear on their role in raising attainment and improving outcomes for young people, including shared clarity about success and the measures of success.