By Dave Lord

LESS THAN a year after Perth and Kinross Council’s education department was lambasted in a root and branch review, inspectors have completed a follow-up investigation.

Serious concerns were raised in the original damning report. It stated the economic and educational chances of pupils had been hampered by poor performance and leadership within the authority.

It also highlighted “systematic failings” in the education department.

While the follow-through visit notes that work remains to be done, the new report is broadly positive.

It points out that progress made to date has provided a “firm foundation” for future improvements.

A new, clearer direction for the department and improved leadership are among the improvements flagged up.

However, some areas of concern remain.

Failings in the education and children’s services management information system are reportedly making it difficult for the local authority to accurately monitor and track the performance of secondary school pupils.

In addition, the department’s performance in terms of pupil attainment remains below the average for comparator authorities on “almost all” key measures.

Nevertheless, the sense of relief within Perth and Kinross Council following yesterday’s publication of the new report was tangible.

Council leader Jimmy Doig remarked, “We are very pleased with the feedback from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education.

“In particularly we are delighted that the decisive action taken by the council last year to improve the strategic leadership and management of education and children’s services has been recognised.

“I also welcome the confirmation that, given the good progress made by the council, they will make no further visits in connection with the original inspection.”

Councillor George Hayton, convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s lifelong learning committee, commented, “This report is a tribute to the hard work and professionalism of staff from across education and children’s services who have demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement through a period of change.”

Councillor Ian Miller, depute leader of the council, added, “I am pleased that the good progress the council and education and children’s services has made over the last year in seeking to improve educational outcomes for children and young people has been recognised.

“We welcome external scrutiny and I believe this report shows that we are putting in place firm foundations for future progress.”

While sharing a degree of optimism, Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham was not getting carried away.

“There is no doubt that a lot of work still needs to be done in improving the way in which education services are provided,” she said.

“I am sure the council’s officials will take note of the points the report makes about improvements that still have to be made and I am confident that the service will continue to get better.”