Improving Attainment and Achievement
On 3 November Councillor Sandy Aitchison was live on Facebook and Twitter between 6-7pm for a question and answer session relating to Improving Attainment and Achievement (Schools) Budgets. Below are the questions, and answers, that were discussed.
You asked
Will you commit to continue to fund youth work and further strengthen youth work and schools partnerships to raise attainment?
We said
We're committed to youth services and no budget decisions have been made as yet.
We will work with a range of partners to ensure that all multi funding arrangements continue, to support service delivery.
You asked
Play spaces for all ages must be planned in to new school estate. Play can improve concentration and attainment.
We said
We're proud of our outdoor learning environments in our schools. We develop outdoor play as a key part of the curriculum.
You asked
Are play spaces in secondary schools too?
We said
Recent stats suggest we have the highest participation level in sports and after school clubs provision nationally.
We have observed increased play by secondary students in and around our new build facilities and 3G pitches.
You asked
That's great, but please remember the importance of unstructured free play for all CYP as set out in Article 31.
We said
We totally agree with this and one of the things we are developing are the creation of social spaces for young people.
You asked
When will council be expanding childcare?
We said
At the moment ages three and over get 16 hours a week and this is supposed to rise by 2020? Will this be a phased process increasing every year or suddenly in 2020 we will get 30 hours?" The plan is for initial pilots to be undertaken next year, which may comprise of children attending full time during term time or for the full year without school holiday dates, although we have not had official confirmation of this from Scottish Government. Phasing has yet to be decided upon by Scottish Government. Planning for the increase in hours is ongoing.