Information Bulletin
26 May 2004
Education Comes up Trumps
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education in partnership with the Accounts Commission has today published a follow up inspection report for Shetland Islands Council Education Service. The report makes very interesting reading and clearly concludes that the Education Services has taken effective steps to improve and enhance the management of the Education Service across the islands. The report concludes "the Council had made good progress in over taking the main points for action". Indeed, the report concludes, "progress was very good". The report itself details how progress has been achieved and the Inspectorate's view of the nature and pace of the changes, which have been taking place within the Education Service since the first report was published in December 2001.
Councillor Bill Manson, spokesperson for children and young people (including Education) said of the report "the Inspector's final report marks a significant milestone in the changes which were started in the Education service in 2001. It am particularly pleased to note the positive praise made of staff and managers in taking forward the action points identified in the initial inspection. Teamwork and communication have clearly improved significantly and this puts the Education Service in a good position to continue to enhance and integrate a service provision. The next challenge is the consideration that the Council will now need to give the Best Value Review and the Inspectorate will now be keeping a close eye on our progress in this area".
Chairman of Services Committee, Councillor Florence Grains added "all staff both in Schools and Hayfield House have worked very hard to improve upon the quality of the management in Shetland's schools. The report represents the fact that the service has clearly turned a corner and is poised to continue to improve into the future".
For further information on this press release please contact the Head of Education Alex Jamieson on 01595 744 014.
JACQUI WATT
Executive Director - Community Services