A new report from North Lanarkshire Council gives details of recent progress made in schools across the local authority area.
The standards and quality report for 2023-2024 shows that eleven inspection reports on the council’s schools were published, with 82 per cent achieving positive reports, with the majority of parents also saying they were happy with their children’s schools.
Of 109 pupils who participated in the Brighter Futures programme, 94 completed it with almost all moving to a positive outcome such as employment or continued education on leaving school.
A total of 34 schools attained the NL Enterprising Schools award as part of this enterprise pathway while attendance at Future Fridays events has more than doubled since 2022.
In 2022 an audit of play based learning was carried out and a a new model of approach is being rolled out, with new education support officers leading development.
Work is ongoing to increase the availability of Gaelic language lessons, as well as giving families the chance to engage with Gaelic music and culture through various activities.
More than one third of North Lanarkshire schools have gained the Digital Schools Award Scotland through their adoption of new technologies, which exceeds the original target, and a further 32 schools are also working towards this accreditation.
In early years education, almost all establishments have reported positive results from engaging with the quality improvement framework, and all hold the gold standard award as being breastfeeding friendly establishments.
Family engagement support assistants worked with more than 400 pupils, resulting in improved school attendance, and work continues with more than 200 families.
More than 100 pupils aged 10-18 benefited from using the online mental health service Kooth to access one to one discussions with support staff.
In terms of academic attainment, there has been a slight overall decline which is in line with the present national context. However standards remain broadly higher than in 2019, before the disruption caused by the pandemic.
The report was formally endorsed by the council’s education, children and families committee.
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