Education and Lifelong Learning

Overview

The Education and Lifelong Learning Department is the largest single service department within Scottish Borders Council and focuses on two key areas of provision - Schools and Community Services.

Education and Lifelong Learning has primary responsibility for delivering on the following priorities:  

• young people are successful learners, demonstrating achievement and attainment
• young people go into education, employment or training having had more choices and more chances
• children experience high quality early years provision
• young people enjoy living in the Borders and make a positive contribution within their communities
• there is improved health and well-being of Borders residents.

In addition, Education and Lifelong Learning makes significant contributions to other key priority areas including:  

• looked after and accommodated children and young people have the same life chances as others
• communities are confident, capable and vibrant
• improved support for young carers.

The department is committed to a partnership approach at all levels of its service planning and delivery - partnership with learners, parents, other agencies,  business and the wider community.

What we can do for you?

There are 72 schools across Scottish Borders which were educating just under 15,000 pupils in school session 2010/11. The department is committed to ensuring that recent upward trends in attainment and achievement across schools is sustained and increased and is also committed to ensuring the new 3-18 curriculum is developed and embedded in all schools.

In addition the department support a range of community and cultural services and facilities including community learning and development programmes, community centres, libraries, museums and arts facilities.

There are 9 secondary schools and 64 primary schools across Scottish Borders ranging in size from 4 pupils in our smallest primary to just under 1,200 in the largest secondary.

In recent years we have opened several modern new school premises both secondary and primary and will ensure that all schools are maintained to the highest possible standard within budget limitations.

The department work closely with partner organisations and the wider community to sustain and develop the non statutory services under its management e.g. sports, arts, culture and community learning and development.

Facts and figures

• in school session 2010/11 there were 6,777 pupils in our secondary schools and 8,105 in our primary schools
• the department employed 1,151 teachers across both primary and secondary
• total departmental budget in financial year 2011/12 is £97,869,000. Just over 50% of this budget is taken up with the employment of teaching staff.