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Contents
Welcome from Michael O'Neill, Director of Education
I'm delighted to welcome you to this issue of Parent Post, North Lanarkshire's newsletter for parents. This newsletter provides an excellent way for parents to learn about aspects of the education service in North Lanarkshire. It also allows us to inform you of local and national initiatives which affect North Lanarkshire children.
Each issue of parent post will feature news and articles of specific interest to parents. In this first issue you will find details of last year's parent conference, home learning strategies in nurseries and primaries, the parents' consultative group and the excellent report we received from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of schools.
I trust that you find the parent post informative. If you have any comments about the newsletter or any suggestions on how to improve it, please let us know.
North Lanarkshire passes inspection with flying colours
North Lanarkshire's Education Department has received an outstanding report from Her Majesty's Inspectors and the Accounts Commission. The report, which was published in February, is the outcome of an inspection of the department as part of the outgoing assessment of Scotland's 32 education authorities.
As part of the inspection process, the HMI met with a variety of stakeholders including councillors, officers of the council, head teachers, staff, pupils, school boards and representatives of the parents' consultative group.
Of the 11 quality indicators, the inspectors awarded nine very good and two good verdicts, which is equivalent to 42 out of a possible 44 points. This means that North Lanarkshire Council has received the best report in Scotland so far with just over half the councils inspected. Councillor Charles Gray, Convenor of the Education Committee, hailed the report as 'official acknowledgement of the groundbreaking work undertaken by Michael O'Neill and his team to raise achievement in our schools.
The report acknowledged that education is a very high priority for North Lanarkshire Council and that the council has a clear vision for education through its Raising achievement for all policy. There was particular praise for Michael O'Neill for his very good leadership.
The report highlighted as improvement in attainment in primary schools over the last three years particularly in reading and writing which were above the national average. It also noted the department's commitment to consultation and communication with key stakeholders, including parents.
Michael O'Neill was delighted with the authority's excellent performance. He said "This has been such a great boost for the Education department. Such a response from the HMI is a reflection of the outstanding work by establishments and the department over the last seven years.
Use the external links box at the top right hand side of your screen to access the department's HMI report.
You can access PDF copies of the parent post newsletter issue one by using the download or request by post box at the right hand side of the screen.
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