New North Lanarkshire Council report reveals progress being made at local schools

A new report from North Lanarkshire Council highlights the improvements being made in local schools. The standards and quality report for 2023-2024 revealed that eleven inspection reports were published, with 82% of schools receiving positive evaluations. The majority of parents expressed satisfaction with their children’s schools.

Additionally, the report mentioned that 94 out of 109 pupils who took part in the Brighter Futures programme successfully completed it, leading to positive outcomes like employment or further education upon leaving school. Furthermore, 34 schools were recognised with the NL Enterprising Schools award, and attendance at Future Fridays events has more than doubled since 2022.

In the realm of education, a new approach to play-based learning is being implemented following an audit in 2022, with support officers leading the way. Efforts are ongoing to expand Gaelic language lessons and cultural activities for families. Notably, over a third of schools in North Lanarkshire have received the Digital Schools Award Scotland for embracing new technologies, surpassing the original target set.

Family engagement support assistants have worked with over 400 pupils, resulting in improved school attendance, while more than 200 families continue to receive support. Furthermore, over 100 pupils have benefited from the online mental health service Kooth for one-to-one discussions with support staff.

Although there has been a slight dip in academic attainment aligning with a national trend, standards remain higher than in 2019 pre-pandemic disruptions. The education, children and families committee of the council officially endorsed the report.

In summary, North Lanarkshire Council’s recent report showcases the positive strides made in local schools, highlighting achievements in various areas such as enterprise education, mental health support, and technological integration. The robust support system in place for both students and families demonstrates a commitment to holistic education and wellbeing.