Argyll and Bute Council proposes an extensive programme of community engagement to discuss and develop innovative ways to ensure sustainable management of rural schools.
Schools in Argyll and Bute face a unique set of challenges, including rural settings, declining populations, and competition for resources. But the region’s schools also enjoy a unique set of advantages, being leaders in digital access, outdoor learning, and engagement with their individual school communities.
Argyll and Bute Council’s Education Transformation Programme promises to enhance the region’s education services through better access to resources and staff, strengthened leadership, and enhanced connections among schools. That collaboration begins right now, with a proposal for community and stakeholder engagement.
Councillors have unanimously agreed today that engagement should be expanded on a Council wide basis to provide maximum opportunity for communities, parents and carers, teachers, Head Teachers, trade unions and elected officials to have their say. Their input will be central to shaping the Education Transformation Programme proposals before they are presented to the Community Services Committee
Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said:
“There are few higher priorities than equal access to effective education. I am delighted that the Community Services Committee unanimously agreed to expand engagement with communities across Argyll and Bute to collaborate on future education transformation proposals.
“The best outcomes for our young people are at the heart of all our work. We are a Council that listens to our communities and this proactive engagement programme will be at the core of our decision-making.
“To provide the very best for our children and young people we must take positive action to deliver a sustainable education service. This expanded engagement programme is one such positive action.”