Praise for council team shortlisted for award

It’s the top figure in the whole of Scotland and East Dunbartonshire Council’s Education Quality Improvement team has now been shortlisted for a national award.

Of the 1,302 pupils who left school in 2014, more than 1,260 went on to a ‘positive destination’, which is a 97.2 per cent success rate.

Convener of the council’s Education Committee, Councillor Eric Gotts, said: “This team works tirelessly with young people leaving school to ensure that they have access to as many opportunities as possible and to help guide them towards an academic or vocational role that they will enjoy and that will help them towards success in their chosen career.

“Each young person’s journey through education, from nursery to senior phase, is analysed and support is offered as soon as possible to those who may be drifting and in need of help and direction.

“Their aim is quite simply to improve the life chances of young people and they are doing a terrific job. I’m delighted for them that they have been recognised at these prestigious national awards, against competition from across the UK.”

The Education Quality Improvement team has been shortlisted for an MJ Local Government Achievement Award in the Children’s Services category and will find out in June if they have been successful. The team works closely with local employers, colleges, universities and Skills Development Scotland to ensure that as many school leavers as possible move on to further training or employment.

They also try to offer as many opportunities as possible to pupils with additional support needs and those who may be at risk of failing their exams, so that they have a range of choices when they leave school.

An annual brochure is created by the education team called the “Senior Phase Vocational Programme”, which is full of ideas for young people leaving school.

It aims to help young people develop the skills they need for the workplace or for further education or training.

The awards ceremony takes place in the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London, on Thursday, June 18 .

The event will be hosted by former foreign secretary William Hague.