Grove Academy in Herald Scotland Top 50 Secondary Schools in Scotland

Earlier this month the Herald Scotland published their list of the top 50 secondary schools in Scotland 2014/15.

The rank order in their table is based solely on pupils' results in Highers before leaving school in session 2014/2015.

These results are not directly comparable with SQA examination results in previous years. 

The table shows that Grove Academy is the only school in Dundee and Angus on the list. 

It is suggested however that "the table should be seen as a celebration of pupil success rather than a vilification of schools who have not achieved so highly" (and are not listed)

This is because the table also lists the benchmark for each school for comparison. This provides some insight into whether a school is punching above its weight, coasting along or under performing.

The percentage of pupils living in the lowest 20% of areas of multiple deprivation is also listed. 

Currently, there are eleven Primary School in Dundee targeted for additional support in the Attainment Challenge. This should help to reduce the 'attainment gap' and break the link between a child's postcode and attainment at school.

Further information about how well Grove Academy is doing may be found by following the Link to the Tables of Performance Information for Grove Academy located on the parent Zone area of Education Scotland's website.

Very Positive Inspection Report for Balgillo Nursery

Congratulations to the staff at Balgillo Nursery who have recently received a very positive Inspection Report from Education Scotland.

The inspectors wrote:

"Inspection of your Early Learning and Childcare setting found the following key strengths:

• Happy, well-behaved children who enjoy their learning experiences.
• Very good use of the local area to enrich children’s learning experiences.
• Strong partnerships with parents.
• Senior management Team, manager and staff team who strive to provide the best possible learning and care in the setting.

The overall evaluation ratings for Balgillo Nursery are all 'Good' or 'Very Good'. It is also positively noteworthy that there were no 'requirements' nor 'recommendations' arising from the inspection.

Read the full inspection Report

Commenting on the Announcement that Sistema will be Coming to Dundee

Councillor Laurie Bidwell said:
"The announcement yesterday that Sistema Scotland will be establishing a Big Noise Orchestra for children in Dundee is very good news. Their work in Stirling and Glasgow has demonstrated how music making can deliver tangible benefits for the children taking part, their parents and carers as well as the wider community. I am sure this will complement and extend the work of the existing city wide schools' orchestras and bands." 

"Two years ago Labour Councillors received the unanimous support of the Education Committee to back bringing a Sistema Scotland project to Dundee. That Council decision responded to the positive groundwork of the Optimistic Sound Group who had been fundraising and making the case for Sistema Scotland to develop their next music programme in Dundee." 

End End Councilor Lesley Brennan said: 
"I am delighted that the next Big Noise Orchestra to be established in Scotland is coming to the East End Ward. I understand that it will be working with children who attend Claypotts Castle and St Pius Primary Schools. My three boys have all taken part in school based and city wide bands and orchestras so I know what benefits being involved in music making can bring. 

This will be a real boost for Douglas."

"Let the children's music play!"

Hourly Trains from Broughty Ferry Beginning 2018-19

I welcome the announcement made earlier this week of an hourly train service from Broughty Ferry beginning in 2018/19. 

As stopping services in Broughty Ferry have previously increased, the travelling public has made good use use of these trains. In fact Broughty Ferry station has recorded the largest percentage increase in passengers at any station in the region.

This is a positive development which I, and many others, have campaigned for. 

In the intervening period before 2018/19, TACTRAN (the regional transport body), ScotRail and Transport Scotland have been charged with developing the fine detail of how these additional train services will run.  For example, will the hourly trains stopping at Broughty Ferry Station connect directly to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen? If travelling north, south or west, at which stations will passengers be able to get a quick connection from the slower stopping train to the express and vice-versa?

I should however like to point out that the Transport Minister in the Scottish Government is rather guilty of exaggeration when describing the impact of extending the life of thirteen, otherwise redundant, 3 carriage diesel trains as a 'rail revolution'.That might have been a more accurate description had he been announcing that lines north of Edinburgh and Glasgow were to be electrified.

There is also a related value for money issue for taxpayers. I think we are entitled to know why the redeployment of these diesel powered trains was not anticipated and included in the tendering of the new ten year franchise which is entirely devolved to the Scottish Government. Dutch operator Abellio only took over running ScotRail on 1st April 2015. Will the cost of 'adding extras' to the existing franchise be best value? Who is responsible for leaving this out of the franchise agreement?

Notwithstanding these issues, an improved frequency of train services for Broughty Ferry should be good for residents, our visitors and tourists as well. 

Link to Ministerial Statement
‘Rail revolution’ means 200 more services and 20,000 more seats for Scots passengers.

Participatory Budgeting - Workshop in the City Chambers

As part of my 'in-service training' as a Councillor, this morning I attended a briefing event about Participatory Budgeting. 

This half-day event was run by the Improvement Service and is funded through the Convention of Scottish local Authorities, (CoSLA).

This was a very practical session which provided insights into a number of approaches to public involvement in deciding spending priorities. I hope that it will be be possible to trial one of these approaches with The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership.

Pothole Action on Douglas Terrace

Last week, I reported a series of eight of the most serious potholes on Douglas Terrace. These were identified on the stretch of Douglas Terrace between its junctions with Dundee Road and Home Street. 

While further along the waterfront towards the harbour the carriageway has been resurfaced, this section of the road is still on the waiting list for an upgrade.

During the winter weather sections of the road surface thet has been been previously dug up and infilled has been eroded and become a hazard.

I am pleased to report that the road has been inspected by staff from the Roads' Maintenance Partnership and they have reported that the potholes should be fixed quite soon.

Dogs Must be Microchipped Before Wed 6 April 2016

On the 6 April 2016 the provisions of the The Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016 will come into force. This statutory order from the Scottish Government makes it an offence to keep a dog without an identity microchip.

Of course having your dog microchipped is one of the best ways to increase your pet’s chances of getting home if they should ever be lost or stolen. Unlike dog tags and collars, which can fall off or be removed, microchipping is a more permanent form of identity for your dog. But don’t forget the law says all dogs must also wear a collar and tag, with their owners name, address and telephone number on it.

The Brown Street Kennels in Dundee have trained personnel who are able to microchip your dog. The current cost for this service is £17.30 inc VAT. 
Brown Street Kennels, Brown Street, Dundee DD1 5DT 
Tel: 01382 432100 Fax: 01382 432102
Email brownstreet.kennels@dundeecity.gov.uk

Westbay Residents Demand Some Road Safety Action

Since the new Grove Academy was opened and Eastern Primary School moved to the upgraded old Grove premises, both school have been opening their doors to an increasing number of pupils. This has led to regular parking difficulties for residents of Westbay Court in Albert Road.

Residents of the 17 apartments in Westbay Court have their own off street parking but they find it is very difficult to exit or enter their driveway during the forty minutes or so in the mornings and afternoons when parents and carers are using their road as a very congested drop-off and pick-up zone. Frequently Westbay residents find vehicles parking part way across the entrance to the driveway to their private car parking spaces. Their concerns are not merely about their own inconvenience from getting blocked in. They are very concerned about the risks to life and limb of young children walking and crossing Albert Road because for the restricted sight lines for residents as they exit and enter their driveways in their cars.

Residents first contacted me about this in the Spring last year and on a number of occasions I raised this in writing and at meetings with staff in the City Development Department. Despite a number of reminders from me and the residents, so far the residents think that their reasonable requests have been not been taken seriously enough.

I support the residents' view that this is an accident waiting to happen. I urge the Transportation section of the City Development Department to respond positively to the residents' request. At the same time, I urge parents and carers to drive and park safely and considerately in Albert Road because neither they nor the residents of Westbay Court want to be the cause of a road accident with a young pedestrian.

More Education Cuts in Dundee City Budget 2016-17 - My Contribution tot he Debate at the Budget Meeting

At the Budget Meeting on Thursday 25 February 2016, I made the following contribution to the debate about the SNP's budget proposals.

"Convener, with regard to Education your budget is full of short term cuts with long term damage to education in our city.

In June you are closing a well regarded and very well led high school in Menzieshill which parents and carers fought to retain. This will be happening at a time when the latest national population projections confirm a continuing and significant population growth in our city especially in the 0-15 age group.

In our primary Schools we continue to reduce capacity while there are proposals afoot to increase the nursery education and care entitlement. This would require considerable additional accommodation in our Primary and Nursery school buildings.

On Monday night I pointed out at the Education Committee that having 'Reserved Places' in four out of the soon to be eight secondary schools in the city is an indicator that our secondary schools are filling up and only Braeview, Craigie, St Paul's and Baldragon have some remaining capacity to cope with population growth in our city. 

Combined, Convener, with your fire sale of Council properties and sites, this means that not only will we have pressure on school places in the future but no Council owned  sites on which to build the new primary and secondary schools we will need.

In relation to the supply teacher budget, you have cuts back on this and gamble that there will be no no increase in demand such as a flu epidemic or an increase in staff on maternity and paternity leave that will increase demand for supply teachers in the next year. You are in my mind misleading people in Dundee when you claim this will make no difference. In the current year schools have been unable to spend this budget because of the lack of supply staff caused largely by the national shortage of teachers. If, as the Holyrood government tell us that they have at long last sorted out the lack of training places for teachers, we might have the potential supply teachers to employ next year but not the budget in our schools to pay for this. 

Short term cuts and long term damage Convener.

We can also see that the direction of travel will be to accommodate the rising number of pupils by allowing classes in our schools to get larger. Apparently you are happy for Dundee to be mid-table at everything  and not really ambitious to be outstanding. 

Convener, some of your colleagues have congratulated you on your creative approach to finding your budget cuts. But our constituents and our staff know that there are many dangers in your 'creative accounting'.

So Convener, I cannot support your budget today because you do not have the best interests of our city at heart. Your short term cuts will inflict long term damage to our children in our schools in the City. 

Not so much Getting it Right for Every Child, but Getting it Cheap for Every Child."

After the meeting I said:

It was very disappointing that the Finance Convener, Councillor Willie Sawers would not even allow a discussion of the Labour motion at the budget meeting. He just arbitrarily ruled it out of order, even though it had previously been agreed by the Council's Chief Legal Officer as a competent motion.. Councils must, by law, fix their budget for by mid March, so there was still time to put these savage budget cuts on hold and try, with a united political front, to negotiate a better deal for the city from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, John Swinney. I don't think any Councillor should dismiss an opportunity to try to negotiate a better deal for our city. 

Dundee deserves better

Dundee is One of the Bright Sparks

Yes it's official, Dundee is one of the UK Bright Sparks, as defined by Sunday Times Journalist, Oliver Bennett.

In his feature article published today, he reviews "hi-tech hotspots where innovation is set to ignite the local property market."

Dundee is the sole location identified in Scotland. In the short entry about Dundee, Bennet writes:
"For a while, Scotland had a Silicon Glen: .... But it is Dundee - once known for 'jute, jam and journalism' - that may prove most interesting, particularly as it has become a centre for Computer Gaming.

It's a pity that the article has no mention of the V&A at Dundee or the recent UNESCO City of Design designation nor any references to residential and commercial property developments in the city. Nevertheless, it's good to see our city featuring positively in national media.

Scottish Water Urged to Sort Out Pumping Issues at Douglas Terrace

Before Christmas, contractors resorted to putting up safety barriers once again at the pumping facility at the end of Douglas Terrace. 

Above ground, behind these fences, there are two manhole covers propped open by a heavy duty hose connecting the two pumps that are seated well below ground level. 

I am advised that this is necessary because these pumps, that help to propel sewage and waste water towards the Hatton treatment plant, are not working properly. 

This is not the first time that this has been the case in recent years. The fencing and industrial pipes are a bit of an eyesore, but every day they are in use is an indicator that all is not well with this pumping facility below.This facility is maintained by Scottish Water's operators, Veolia. I think Scottish Water owe it to their water and sewage rate payers to pursue their operator to sort out this issue to get this facility working effectively.

Best Wishes for Christmas 2015

Broughty Ferry Dook 2016 - Friday 1st January 10:30 - Time to Get Your Entry In

Links
Further Details about Ye Amphibious Ancients' Bathing Association (AABA)
Dook Entry Online 
Dook Entry Form to Print Out 

Pupils at Kingspark School Entertain with Christmas Show

Earlier this afternoon, I enjoyed an enthusiastic performance of 'Snowy Chums', the Christmas Show performed by the talented pupils of Kingspark School.

I can't remember any previous school show where the Head Teacher had confidently asserted that every pupil in the school had been involved, one way or another, in the staging of the show and the performance. This was an outstanding example of pupils working together: designing the tickets, preparing the hand written invitations, singing and dancing, taking part in the video about the school, serving refreshments, as well as the enterprise group making and selling Christmas gifts and decorations. 

The performers on stage are to be congratulated for singing their hearts out and mastering and delivering their lines and dance moves.

Head Teacher, Laura Smith, and her staff deserve recognition too for having clearly embedded the 'Getting it Right for Every Child' in their practice. 

Commenting on Continuing High Levels of Pupil Absence in Dundee Schools

Being at the bottom of a national league table for pupil absence is not where we want to be in our schools and our city. Days lost through absence from school are days lost from learning.

Of course it is important to recognise that average attendances mask the fact that a majority of our pupils have excellent attendance at school. On the other hand, a relatively small proportion of pupils may have a very poor record of attendance which depresses the average attendance in a specific school and across the city. However we interpret them however, there is a job to be done to raise the average citywide attendance.

When we look for solutions, I have misgivings about putting too much reliance on short term projects employing temporary staff. When their project is over, after two or three years, the initiatives they have begun may well be unsustainable by the remaining core staff in a school. 

The reduction in the number of Guidance staff in Secondary Schools and the number of Depute Head Teachers in our Primary Schools will not have helped our schools focus on tackling non attendance. These cuts have reduced the senior staff who would directly follow up these issues with pupils and their teachers as well as parents and carers.

Just now the Council is consulting on a plan to reduce by a third the number of places for pupils in our three small scale Education Centres which offer an alternative to secondary pupils who are disengaged from their secondary schools who often have multiple additional support for learning needs. Currently many of the pupils who transfer to one of these centres experience a dramatic improvement to their attendance and participation in learning. I am concerned that the vague alternative and much cheaper services the Council are discussing will make matters worse not better for these pupils and less effective in promoting their attendance and participation by these pupils.

If we are going to tackle a low average attendance in our schools, relative to other Councils in Scotland, I think we need to stick with what currently works and promote initiatives that have the backing of staff and parents and carers, rather than impose more short term initiatives from the centre.