Schools Services

Schools Service

The Schools Service is part of the Education and Lifelong Learning Department. There are 3 other Services in Education and Lifelong Learning:

Business Services

Community Services

Quality Service

The Schools Service is responsible for the education of almost 18,000 children across the Borders. Education is delivered through 9 secondary schools, 65 primary schools (46 with nursery units) and a number of private and voluntary sector nursery providers.Some schools have support resources to help children with additional needs and learning difficulties. We also maintain 2 part-time facilities for pupils with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (SEBD) and with Complex Needs. All but 0.03% of children identified with additional needs are educated within their communities.

Our schools consistently demonstrate high levels of attainment, well above the national average. We are pleased with this position but are not complacent. We have five clearly articulated aims for the schools service that are focused on delivering continuous improvement. These are :

to develop the best learning and teaching experience for all that delivers high standards of achievement, creativity, motivation and ambition
to utilise our resources wisely to deliver effective, efficient and empowering learning environments for all
to promote inclusion and ensure equality of opportunity and access for all and to all areas of the service
to forge highly effective and productive partnerships and working practices with learners, staff, parents, professional colleagues and communities
to encourage and develop citizenship in ways that actively promote participation, confidence, responsibility pride and ambition

For more detailed information about our schools, please visit the Schools section of the website. Further information on our aims and Local Improvement Objectives can be seen in 'Better - next steps for schools 2007 - 2010' the document that links national legislation and priorities, through SBC's Corporate and Community Plans, departmental business plans to school improvement plan.