Education Service - Best Value Service Review
Best Value Service Review of Education Service
This page is now historic and for information only
Informal Consultation Period July - September 2004
Members of the Best Value Service Review Group met with the School Board Chair for each area, to discuss ways to progress with the consultation. It was decided that the Best Value Service Review Member / Officer Working Group meet with the public in Cullivoe, Mid Yell, Skerries, Aith, Sandness, Sandwick. Baltasound, Burravoe, Olnafirth, Scalloway and Uyeasound, decided that the School Boards would present information to the Best Value Service Review Group in a closed meeting. Whalsay School Board are still to confirm their preference.
Timetable for consultation PDF Format
Questionnaire for Ex-pupils of Shetland Schools
If you have left secondary education in Shetland in the past 10 years and you wish to comment on the Best Value Review of Education Service a questionnaire is available for completion. This questionnaire focuses on secondary provision in Shetland and can be completed online from 16 August - 24 September. The results of this will contribute to the consultation discussions.
Shetland Islands Council is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998. The information provided by you will be used solely in connection with the Best Value Service Review of Education and for no other purpose.
Information on the Best Value Service Review of Education Service
The Best Value Service Review Member/Officer Working Group (BVSRMOWG) was posed with the task of creating a long-term strategy for the future direction of education in Shetland. A report was put to Full Council on 30 June 2004. This was a challenging report, which makes proposals for changing the nature of how education is delivered in Shetland.
The report presents proposals on the shape of the service, the number of schools and local service delivery. The focus at this point is to build a framework, which achieves the best possible education for pupils, and is sustainable into the future.
Current Model of Provision in Shetland
The Shetland Islands Council currently delivers its education responsibilities through a comprehensive model of education based on a network of thirty-four schools. The model seeks to ensure that, as far as possible, pupils remain in their local Junior High School until S4, and then continue at Brae High School or transfer to the Anderson High School for S5 and S6.
Proposed Model of Provision in Shetland
The scheme of provision is based on developing all schools as Integrated Community Schools. This will enhance the provision of education and other services in each area. The proposals are:
- The secondary departments in Unst, Yell, Whalsay, Aith, Scalloway, and Sandwick will offer all levels of education suitable for secondary pupils from S1 to S6. An appropriate name for the school should replace the term "Junior High School".
- The closure of the secondary department at Skerries School with transfer of pupils to Whalsay or Anderson High School.
- The closure of Uyeasound Primary School with transfer of pupils to Baltasound Junior High School Primary Department.
- The closure of Cullivoe Primary School and Burravoe Primary School with transfer of pupils to the primary department of the new Mid Yell Junior High School when built.
- The closure of Olnafirth Primary School with transfer of pupils to Brae High School Primary Department.
- The closure of Sandness Primary School with transfer of pupils to Happyhansel Primary School. Joint management arrangements or closure of small schools excluding those on outlying islands, will be considered if any or all of the specified criteria in the report are met.
- For pupils who are required to live away from home to undertake their secondary education, accommodation will be provided in an appropriate Hall of Residence.
- Extending provision for primary pupils in Lerwick will be examined as resources become available.
- Available resources will be used to enhance Information and Communication Technology and other provision in all areas of Shetland to fully optimise the potential of the Integrated Community Schools model of service delivery.
- The Head of Education will come forward with a further report to Services Committee in October 2004 which may request approval to proceed with formal consultation related to the proposals.
- At the meeting of Full Council on 30 June 2004 it was decided that a further three-month consultation should be carried out in relation to the review of education provision in Shetland. As a result, consultations are taking place in each area noted in the report.
Should you wish to express your opinion, a response sheet will be made available at the meetings, at local shops, to mother and toddler groups and on-line.
Response Sheet Microsoft Word format
Please return these at the meeting to a member of Education Staff; mail to:
Best Value Consultation,
Education Service,
Hayfield House,
Hayfield Lane,
Lerwick,
ZE1 0QD
or email bestvaluereturn@sic.shetland.gov.uk .