Education and Children's Services Committee round up
Committee Chair Cllr David Keating welcomed members to the meeting and began by introducing Laura Stewart, a senior practitioner for the children's rights team, along with Kathleen Spademan and Brooke Simm, members of the young people's organising and campaigning group - better know as YPOC.
Laura said: "YPOC stands for Young People's Organising and Campaigning group and they're a group of care-experienced young people who come together using their own experience, and they really want to make a difference for other young people who are care experienced.
"Today they're going to be showing their song and video that they made about stigma - feeling like others treat you differently.
"They worked alongside a musician called Adam from the Youth Music Initiative to create this amazing song and video. They really wanted people to understand more about stigma, to show other care, experienced young people, that they're not alone.
"It is also to help those adults who support them, either at home or at school, what it's like for them and to help them think about how to challenge stigma and support them when they experience it."
Councillor Keating went on to congratulate Buchanhaven Primary School which has been named the Primary School winner in the Inclusion Ambassadors’ Success Looks Different Awards 2024-25.
The Children in Scotland awards celebrate schools that go above and beyond to recognise and support the achievements of all pupils, including those who receive additional support with their learning.
The Inclusion Ambassadors, a group of secondary pupils with additional support needs from across Scotland, selected Buchanhaven for their positive language, strong community connections, and the incredible ‘Thrive Hive’ - a space where children explore new experiences.
Councillor Keating then highlighted two outstanding S6 students from Inverurie Academy - Cara and Molly - who have shown incredible dedication in marking Holocaust Memorial Day.
Their commitment to remembrance and education was demonstrated through a powerful, feature-length article for their school newspaper. At an impressive 8,000 words, their piece was so significant that it became the sole focus of a special edition of the paper. You can read the article here.
Cara and Molly extended their efforts by creating a Holocaust Memorial episode for the InverRamble podcast. Alongside their history teacher, Ellie Crabb, they reflected on their experiences at the Lessons from Auschwitz project and their visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Their insightful discussion is now available for all to hear, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to reach new audiences. You can listen to the podcast here.
And their hard work has not gone unnoticed - last month, Cara and Molly, together with Miss Crabb, were honoured at the Scottish Parliament, where they received a Vision Schools Award from the Holocaust Educational Trust - a well-deserved recognition of their efforts to promote Holocaust education and awareness.
Proposed Merger of Foveran School and Tipperty School
The proposed merger of Foveran School and Tipperty School has been recommended for approval by Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee.
Committee members heard that the construction of a new primary school in Foveran was not within the current council budget and, as a result, Committee approved a statutory consultation process last year to explore a merger.
It was proposed that Foveran School and Tipperty School should operate as a single school under a new name, with the merger set to take effect from August 2025.
At Thursday’s meeting (March 20) committee heard that both buildings will remain in use, and educational benefits were highlighted including enriched environments tailored to different age groups, teacher collaboration improving pupil outcomes, and increased opportunities for outdoor learning, social interactions, and extracurricular activities.
The report highlighted that Education Scotland supported the merger, highlighting potential educational benefits and improving accommodation issues at Foveran School.
Following a discussion, which included speakers on behalf of both schools, ECS recommended to the next Full Council meeting on April 24 that it should agree the proposal to merge the schools.
Committee also recommended that Full Council allocate additional budget to the newly merged school for weekly opportunities for the pupils to come together as a whole school.
Secondary School Admission Limits and Reserved Places 2025/26
The committee reviewed and set the admission limits and reserved places for Aberdeenshire secondary schools for the 2025/26 school session. These limits help ensure that school resources are effectively utilised and that in-zone pupils have guaranteed places.
Admission limits are reviewed annually to reflect changes in pupil numbers and staffing. The Learning Estates Team analysed in-zone P7 data and consulted with school management to determine the appropriate limits. Reserved places account for future in-zone pupils, new families moving into the area, and potential housing growth.
Most schools retain the same limits as 2024/25, but adjustments have been made to some schools due to changes in in-zone pupil numbers and staffing requirements.
2024 Based School Roll Forecasts
The committee heard from the Learning Estates team about the 2024/25 Aberdeenshire School Roll Forecasts and were told there has been a decrease of 400 primary pupils and an increase of 40 secondary pupils since the previous year.
Several rural primary schools are projected to operate below 50% capacity by 2029, while some secondary schools may face capacity pressures as larger cohorts move through the system.
The report also identified potential interventions to address capacity issues and ensure sustainable estate management.
Consultation Report Regarding the Closure of Clatt School
The committee agreed to recommend to full council next month the closure of Clatt School.
Clatt School has been mothballed since 2018 due to a declining school roll, with no pupils enrolled in the 2018/19 session.
The consultation report highlighted that projected pupil numbers remain low, making it unsustainable to reopen the school. Kennethmont School, located approximately 4.3 miles away, has adequate capacity and resources to accommodate any future pupils from Clatt School’s catchment area.
Education Scotland conducted an independent review of the proposal and concluded that the closure would have educational benefits. Their report acknowledged that Kennethmont School offers a better learning environment, improved social interaction, and more diverse educational opportunities for pupils.
The statutory consultation, which ran from March 8 to April 28, 2023, included public meetings and the opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback.
While some concerns were raised about the loss of a community asset, the majority of responses acknowledged the practical and educational benefits of transferring pupils to Kennethmont School.
The recommendation to close Clatt School will now be considered by Full Council. If approved, the school will officially close, and the catchment area will be rezoned to Kennethmont School.
Update on the Development of Foundation Apprenticeships in Aberdeenshire Schools
The committee heard from Developing the Young Workforce Lead Officer Andrew Ritchie about the significant progress in developing Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs), with over 800 apprenticeships delivered across 16 secondary schools in 2024/25.
Foundation Apprenticeships provide senior-phase pupils with the opportunity to work towards an industry-recognised qualification, blending academic study with practical work experience.
These apprenticeships typically last one to two years and contribute to the Scottish Government’s ambitions of improving youth employability and reducing the skills gap.
Committee heard that more than 1,000 applications were received for 2024/25, reflecting strong interest and increasing demand. Pupils can choose from 12 Foundation Apprenticeship frameworks, including business skills, engineering, and digital media.
Over 250 local employers have collaborated with Aberdeenshire Council to offer placements, ensuring hands-on experience and valuable workplace skills.
The Council has expanded its FA offerings year on year, aligning with the Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) agenda and supporting the Scottish Government’s ambitions to prepare young people for future careers.
Recent figures show an increase in completion rates, with most apprentices progressing to employment, further education, or higher apprenticeships.
For 2025/26, Aberdeenshire Council aims to:
- Increase the number of participating schools.
- Broaden the range of apprenticeship frameworks to meet emerging industry demands.
- Strengthen partnerships with local employers to offer more diverse placement opportunities.
Equalities Mainstreaming and Outcomes Report
The committee discussed the Equality Mainstreaming and Outcomes Report which highlighted achievements from 2021-2025 and introduces new equality outcomes for 2025-2029.
Key progress includes improved accessibility for disabled individuals, enhanced digital inclusion, and targeted support for marginalised communities.
Moving forward, the council aims to further reduce social inequality by promoting inclusive employment, advancing equality in education, and fostering community cohesion.
Passenger Transport Policies
The Aberdeenshire Council’s updated Passenger Transport Policies focus on clarifying policies related to school and children’s social work transport.
The policies, part of the Passenger Transport Strategy (PTS), were reviewed and revised with input from public consultations and Area Committees. Minor amendments were made to improve clarity while maintaining current practices.
Key updates include compliance with vehicle accessibility regulations and ensuring safe and equitable transport for children, including those with additional support needs.
The updated policies also aim to reduce environmental impact by encouraging shared school transport.
You can read the full reports and watch back the meeting by clicking here.