Outcome 4 (E)

PoW: Brighter Futures

General duty 2 & 3

The educational attainment for children and young people with disabilities and/or additional support needs, Gypsy/traveller children and young carers continues to improve.

Equality Evidence/Reasoning

The attendance rate for Gypsy Traveller pupils (97 registered across all school sectors) for session 2023-24 was 80.42%, a 3.78% increase since session 2019/20. 

In session 2023/24 a total of 87 National 3 and 4 level qualifications were achieved by 27 care experienced young people working individually with Virtual School teachers. 93% achieved a qualification in English and 93% achieved a qualification in Maths. 63% achieved three or more national qualifications, 37% achieved four or more and 19% achieved five or more.

There was an increase in the number of instances of exclusions of pupils with additional support needs from 25.4% in 2022/23 to 27.8% in 2023/24.

In North Lanarkshire 1,026 children aged 3-15 provide unpaid care. Of those 279 provide over 20 hours unpaid care a week, including 129 children who provide more than 50 hours of unpaid care a week.

Is Scotland Fairer reported that

• There is a drop off in girls’ participation in sport that coincides with the move from PS to HS. The proportion of 13–15-year-olds meeting physical activity guidelines drops to 11% for girls and 24% for boys.

Outcome 5 (E)

PoW: Brighter Futures

General duty 1, 2 & 3

Our schools are safe, accessible and inclusive

Equality Evidence/Reasoning

There are 31.31% recorded ASN pupils in Primary settings, and 35.16% in secondary, this includes mainstream, ASN provisions within mainstream settings and ASN schools. This number is a more accurate reflection of ASN need across all establishments due to a more robust training and recording process that was introduced in session 2023-24.

The Needs Based Pathway Review (NBPR) process has resulted in the number of children/young people having their needs met within their own locality increase, and the number referred for a placement out with their own community decline. NBPR data is being used increasingly effectively to inform planning for future Service needs, including the provision of targeted support to individual establishments, to build capacity, including the creation of We Aspire and associated Outreach service.

Empowering Clusters: This model continues to strengthen the Support/Team around the child procedures.

School Based Counselling: 2915 logins and 1567 messages received via our online mental health service, Kooth. 127 young people aged between 10-18 used this service to engage in 1:1 chats to support their mental health and wellbeing. School counselling figures.

Mentors In Violence Prevention: Prior to the pandemic 21 out of 23 secondary schools were involved in delivering this programme. However, since then the 2023-24 figures are showing us that 12 schools are continuing to deliver the programme, 3 are in the process of getting trainers trained and 6 schools did not respond. We are currently working to update that, as well as provide more train the trainer opportunities.

Rights Respecting Schools: overall, they are happy with the schools.  We have continued to increase the number of establishments with Rights Respecting Schools (RRS); RRS schools. As of March 2024, 56 establishments have achieved Bronze, 44 have achieved Silver and 20 have achieved Gold. 28 new establishments have registered with RRS. There is a continuing commitment for all teachers in north Lanarkshire to have undertaken LGBT Inclusive education training across school sessions from 2024-2027. The number of LGBT Chartermarks may decrease as schools embed this level of training and understanding across all staff and curriculum offering, rather than the narrower focus on application for awards. As of March 2024, 49 schools had undertaken training, with 160 staff users. This data will be gathered at the end of session to ensure training is completed.

Our Lives research reported that some girls who wear the Hijab experience harassment at school.

Is Scotland Fairer reported that:

• Analysis of 2020/21 local authority data shows the highest number of racially motivated bullying incidents reported in Scotland’s schools on record (since 2007/08).

• Despite improvements in the proportion of adults with degree-level qualifications, there are indications that Islamophobia is impacting on educational outcomes of Muslims. Research revealed evidence that Islamophobia creates barriers in all tiers of education from nursery and school through to college and university. These barriers lead to social anxiety and a lack of attendance and performance.

• Many trans young people are bullied at school, with a self-selecting survey of LGBT young people conducted in 2022 finding that 57% of 526 trans young people reported experiencing transphobic bullying. However, reported confidence levels in reporting transphobia to school staff or authority figures have fallen.

Outcome 6 (E)

PoW: Brighter Futures

General duty 2 & 3

Increased opportunities for children and young people with protected characteristics to develop their employability skills to enable them to leave school with a positive destination.

Equality Evidence/Reasoning

Boys continue to be more likely to be excluded than girls, and there has been a slight increase in exclusions (6 more instances) from 11.3% to 11.5% (all sectors included).  The service is committed to continuing focus on reducing exclusions moving forward.  

There has been a reduction in girls gaining higher level qualifications in STEM subjects from 2022/23 – 23/24 period. Physics, Design and Manufacturing and Computing Science.  STEM subjects will continue to be a focus moving forward.

Levels are higher for Gypsy Traveller pupils leaving school without a positive destination.

Is Scotland Fairer reported that:

• There is a drop off in girls’ participation in sport that coincides with the move from PS to HS. The proportion of 13–15-year-olds meeting physical activity guidelines drops to 11% for girls and 24% for boys

The Positive Pathways Programme, We Aspire College and Virtual Schools initiatives are impacting positively on the children and young people participating.