EDUCATION CHAIRMAN WELCOMES INSPECTION

The Education functions of Local Authorities are now subject to inspection processes similar to those conducted in schools and HM Inspectorate have just announced that the Western Isles Education Authority's inspection will commence on 2 September 2002.

Welcoming this as 'a positive initiative' Mr Norman L Macdonald, Chairman of the Education Committee, today commented “it is absolutely right that the Authority's own functions, as well as those of its schools, be subject to external evaluation and, following this process, we will take immediate steps to address any areas for improvement identified in the subsequent report. After all we believe that everyone involved in Education in the Western Isles aspires to provide the best education possible for the pupils.”

The Director of Education, Mr Murdo Macleod, said “the department is already engaged in the implementation of strategies to ensure continuous improvement and the first inspection will provide further benchmarking for this process.” He further commented “'I am well aware that the process will be rigorous and thorough but I look forward to it as part of the strategy which will assist in the achievement of the vision and aims set out in our Business Plan.”

Following an extensive preparatory phase which will include interviews with various individuals and groups the HMI team will undertake a scrutiny of the organisation's documentation. They will also attend relevant meetings with officials and members of the Comhairle. The process will last until 4 October 2002 and it is expected that the report will be published around the end of the year.

A 'follow-up' inspection will take place approximately two years after the publication of the report and this will focus primarily on the 'points for action' identified and the extent to which these have been overtaken.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk