Two Constructive Meetings

On Friday morning, I attended two meetings which both had constructive outcomes. 

At 09:30, I attended the quarterly meeting of the Education Review Group in one of the Council's Committee Rooms off City Square. This group has a diverse and inclusive membership including Head Teachers, Parents/Carers and Pupils representing their their respective city wide Councils, Education Directorate, Trade Union Representatives and Councillors and is chaired by The Chief Executive, David Dorward. We explored a number of  current issues in our Schools, especially the implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence. I can't write anymore about this as I am bound by a restriction on publicising the content of the meeting.

At 12 noon I caught up with a meeting at the Castle Green Leisure Centre in The Ferry which had started at 11:00. This was the first meeting of a group interested in being involved in planning a series of events to mark the centenary of Broughty Ferry becoming part of Dundee in October 1913. This meeting had been convened by Carole Jenkins our Communities Officer. This group identified a long list of possible activities which might be brought together into a year long programme. It sounds as though we might have a diverse range of activities to look forward to in 2013. The only restriction seems to be that we can't call this a celebration as opinion is apparently divided about the wisdom of the Ferry throwing in its lot with Dundee. Further information about this group from:
carole.jenkins@dundeecity.gov.uk

Education Review Group Meeting Secrets

Yesterday morning, I attended a meeting of the Education Review Group in the Council's Committee Room 1. This was Chaired by the Chief Executive, David Dorward, and involved a wide range of people with an interest in the Education of young people in the city. This included, amongst others, the Director of Education and Head Teacher representatives and two other Councillors. 

I found this to be a very positive meeting at which we discussed a number of important educational issues for nearly two hours. I think many parents, carers and teachers would be interested in our deliberations and decisions. Unfortunately, I can't reveal any further details about the agenda, or the papers issued for this meeting because the papers were stamped: 
"NOT FOR PUBLICATION IN TERMS OF
PARAGRAPHS 3.14 AND 3.15 OF THE CODE
OF CONDUCT FOR COUNCILLORS"

I regret that I am curbed from extending these discussions by writing about them here. I think, in this instance these restrictions are disproportionate and unnecessary and arguably a gagging clause is counter productive. I have written to David Dorward, to suggest these restrictions are lifted. 

Criminal Offences in and in the Vicinity of Dundee Schools 2010/11

Statistics about criminal offences in, and in the vicinity of, Dundee schools have been published by Tayside Police following a Freedom of Information request.

Tayside Police's crime recording system indicate:

203 offences committed in 2010 and 

118 offences during 2011 (up to and including 14 October). 

This is an alarming picture. 

Any crime committed in or around our our schools is something to be concerned about. And some of the offences committed are indeed very serious and very concerning. These include: fire raising, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of drugs and indecent assault. 

Tayside Police warned however that: 

'In relation to the above figures, the following factors should be taken into consideration:

1. Some incidents may well have occurred outwith normal school hours or during weekends or holidays when the premises are empty.
2. Some incidents may be described and therefore reported as taking place at a school when they may in fact be completely unrelated to the organisation - for example a disturbance outside the premises.'

Taken together with the refusal of Tayside Police to break down the crime statistics to each of the 46 primary and secondary schools in the city (excluding Kingspark School and Nursery Schools), it is difficult to know whether there any potential hot spots in terms of neighbourhoods where schools are located or any particular schools to be concerned about.

Where offences have been committed in our schools during school hours, I commend our Head Teachers who have summoned Tayside Police to intervene in response to these.

There is however no room for complacency. The safety of our pupils and staff in our schools must be our priority.

I have written to the Director of Education to ask him to add this report to the agenda of the Education Review Group who will be meeting next week. I want to know whether there is anything the Director believes would help make our schools safer places to learn and work.