Agenda and minutes

Including any notices of motion and any other items of business submitted as urgent for consideration at the meeting.

Members should declare any financial and non-financial interests they have in the items of business for consideration, identifying the relevant agenda item and the nature of their interest.

If any

Minute of the Education, Children and Families Committee of 18 May 2021 - submitted for approval as a correct record

Minute of the Education, Children and Families Committee of 28 May 2021 – submitted for approval as a correct record

Work Programme

Rolling Actions Log

Business Bulletin

Internal Audit: Overdue Findings and Key Performance Indicators as at 27 April 2021 – referral from the Governance, Risk and Best Value Committee

Motion by Councillor Laidlaw - School Sports and Extra Curricular Activities

“Committee notes that while from 9 August the vast majority of Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted by the Scottish Government, certain measures have been retained in schools which are specifically noted in the Scottish Government publication ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools’ which identifies measures to be retained for a period of ‘up to six weeks’ after schools reopen.

Committee notes that of specific relevance to the provision of schools sports, the guidance states:

·         Parents should not enter school buildings unless required

·         Contact Groupings (aka bubbles) are to be removed

Given the above, Committee agrees that outdoor sport, including clubs delivered by external (often parental) coaching, can be delivered per the previously agreed motion by Cllr Laidlaw restricting access to school buildings, in full from the start of the new school term, with indoor external led coaching to be prepared for resumption in late September (after the six-week period noted in the guidance).

Committee notes that the autumn term is particularly crucial in competitive team sports and that concerns have been expressed over the new funding model for Active Schools.

Accordingly, Committee calls for a report within one committee cycle to inform members on how the above request has been delivered, covering:

·         How the new Active Schools funding model has been implemented and if it can deliver the previous (pre-Covid) programmes while fulfilling the obligation to offer sport free of charge to all children

·         How many PTAs have been asked to provide funding for coaching to make-up the shortfall, and at which schools

·         If CEC will be providing additional funding to schools to address any funding gaps

·         What CEC sports academies have restarted and what the full programme for academic year 21-22 will cover

What other extra-curricular activities have restarted (e.g., choirs, bands etc.) and what are still in abeyance – and reasons for delay?”

Motion by Rabbi David Rose – Promoting Equality in Schools

“The Education, Children and Families Committee agrees to note the following:

• Schools should ensure that all pupils are enabled to feel safe, irrespective of their ethnic, religious or national origin.
• No pupil should be targeted or negatively singled out for any reason, including in consequence of international events or conflicts.
• Schools should ensure that some pupils' desire for political expression is not the cause of other pupils feeling targeted or unsafe.
• International issues, especially involving areas of conflict, must be taught in an objective, balanced and sensitive manner, taking into account the background of all pupils in the school, including ethnicity, religion, and possible connections with people in the relevant area of conflict.”

Motion by Councillor Louise Young – West Edinburgh High School

“Committee notes:

1. the decision of 12 December 2017 Education Committee, to explore options for a West Edinburgh High School in/around Kirkliston, following a consultation on the future feeder status of Kirkliston Primary School;
2. the interim informal updates issued by officers on work to identify a potential site, most recently at the March 2021 committee, where school roll projections identified Queensferry High School as breaching capacity from 2024 thus requiring a new West Edinburgh High School from that point;
3. that Council Officers advised the outcome of the new Local Development Plan (LDP) would inform the next steps and identify any potential site options; and 
4. that given delays to the publication of the LDP, there is now a shortening time period before a new high school will be required, and recognises the concern and uncertainty facing parents and future pupils in Kirkliston around future high school provision.

Committee therefore agrees that a report be brought to the first Education Committee following the Planning Committee’s first review of the draft LDP, which should outline the next steps for identifying a site for West Edinburgh High School, and set out a timetable and key milestones up to and including an expected building completion and intake of pupils.”