Report Praises “Excellence” of Renfrewshire’s Education Service

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Renfrewshire Council’s education service has been given top marks in a new report by government inspectors.

Of the ten quality indicators assessed in the report, Renfrewshire’s education was rated as “excellent” in two (leadership and direction, and vision, values and aims) and “very good” in another eight.

The report by HMIE (HM Inspectorate of Education) is the first in a new phase of reports on all of Scotland’s 32 education authorities.

Renfrewshire Council was praised by HMIE in its report for its leadership, partnership working, innovation, involvement of pupils and parents, support for community learning, and 'outstanding' approach to inclusion, particularly for children and young people with additional support needs.

The report noted that Renfrewshire Council demonstrated a 'very high capacity for improvement across all the main areas of its work. It had a proven track record in delivering high quality education services. The Council continued to build on its strengths in providing high quality education for children, pupils and young people.

“Renfrewshire had succeeded in building on its previous high level of performance in delivering education services. The Council was very well placed to continue to improve and meet the needs of its stakeholders in education very effectively'.

Commenting on the HMIE report, John Rooney, Renfrewshire Council’s Director of Education and Leisure Services said:

“There is hard evidence in the report of good practice, improvement and innovation across the range of Renfrewshire’s schools and education establishments.

“It is very encouraging to have our work endorsed so publicly following a rigorous independent assessment.

“Renfrewshire has areas where there is major economic growth such as at Renfrew Riverside. But equally we still have areas of significant disadvantage. It’s particularly encouraging that the HMIE report has noted the long term work which the Council is doing to increase opportunities for access to learning and personal and social development so that everyone can make the most of their abilities and maximise their opportunities in education, employment and later life.

“Overall, I’d like to thank all the staff employed in taking forward education services in Renfrewshire. It is a team effort and we clearly have a strong and committed team.”

A series of examples of good practice in Renfrewshire were highlighted in the HMIE report reflecting the wide range of services provided. Those included: participation in EU supported Education through Sport programmes, strong strategic support to implement legislative requirements on additional support for learning; promotion of parental involvement in their children’s education through the Parents as Educators programme, the innovative work of the educational psychology service, and making sure that the school curriculum was supported by cultural activities in the community.

The HMIE report on Renfrewshire was based on an inspection which took place in April and May of this year.

HMIE noted that as a consequence of the strong record of improvement and the “very effective” leadership of Renfrewshire’s education service, HM Inspectors will make no further reports in connection with this inspection.

Press Release: Thursday 9 November 2006