Education services in Argyll and Bute have made “early progress” after a damning report by inspectors, but “much more” remains to be done.
Urgent action was ordered in March after officials from Scottish Government agency Education Scotland demanded Argyll and Bute Council address “significant areas for improvement” in its education service.
Concerns were raised about attainment levels, communications, strategic leadership and direction at “all levels” of the authority’s education department, with the report having followed an inspection last September.
A new report, published yesterday after a follow-up visit by Education Scotland inspectors in June, has now highlighted some improvements within the service, and areas for further action.
It said the council had produced a detailed improvement plan outlining how it would address the main points for action, with strategic leadership and direction found now to be “more clear”.
The council was said to be working to “improve the quality of communication” across its education service, with officers beginning to have more “direct and purposeful engagement with schools”.
It added: “Argyll and Bute Council has made some early progress since the original inspection in September 2016. Much more remains to be done.”
Inspectors will return to the council next month carry out a further analysis.
Councillor Yvonne Mcneilly, the authority’s policy lead for education, said: “It has been almost a year since the initial inspection took place and a number of improvements have already been carried out by the council’s education service in response to the inspection findings.
“Throughout the whole process our main priority has remained the same – our children.
“We want to ensure that they have the best start in life and are ready to succeed. Our vision, delivered together, is to ensure that we will realise ambition, excellence and quality.
“Our education service has staff and pupils to be proud of, not to mention parents and local communities who are extremely supportive.”
She added: “We look forward to continuing to working with Education Scotland to make further improvements to raise educational attainment and achievement for all.”
