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Argyll and Bute Council’s education service is helping pupils gain the qualifications, vocational skills and further learning opportunities they need to move into successful adult life and employment. The achievements of the education service were highlighted in a report considered by members of the Community Services Committee at their first meeting on 8 May.
The report shows that, across a five year period (2009 – 2013), the exam performance of pupils in Argyll and Bute was generally above or well above national averages. To build on this success, the report highlights action being taken to further support pupils whose performance is lower than expected. In addition we are monitoring pupils who are also looked after children with a view to providing additional support where needed. We are also encouraging more pupils to take five Highers when they are clearly capable of doing so.
The number of S5 pupils achieving five Highers rose over the five year period by 4%; those achieving three Highers rose by 6% and those achieving one higher rose by 8%.
The education service is working to improve the opportunities for future employment for pupils leaving school through the provision of vocational skills, which saw 563 pupils attend courses from creative design media, construction and engineering through to rural skills, hospitality and customer care.
Over 90% of the 875 pupils who left school during 2012- 2013 entered higher or further education, training, employment or voluntary work. This has shown an increase for three successive years.
Almost all primary school teachers across Argyll and Bute have been trained in Big Writing, an interactive approach to teaching writing that has shown an increase in extended writing, especially from boys.
A pilot project has been set up to look at how parents could help early years children develop numeracy skills. This numeracy working group, which is made up of staff from Pre-5 and primary pupils, secondary and Community Learning and Development, has set out to look at ways to raise attainment in numeracy skills in children of all ages.
The determination to achieve continuous improvement in the support provided for our children and young people and their futures is endorsed by the council’s regular appearance in national achievement awards. This not only raises the profile of the council and education service, but reinforces the dedication and hard work of schools, staff and pupils.
Overall, the report shows the standards and quality achieved by the education service during the year 2012 – 2013. The education service produces this report annually and the figures for 2012-2013 show an ongoing increase in achievement throughout the service.
To read the full report go to: