National Islands Plan: annual report 2024

Education

Strategic Objective 12 – Promote and improve education for all throughout life

Commitment 12.1 Work with UHI, the University of Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt University, Robert Gordon University and other education providers to ensure a broad range of options are available to young people.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• The Scottish Government will continue to engage with these institutions to ensure young people in island communities have access to a wide range of opportunities throughout the lifelong learning and skills system.

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

A full UHI Islands Forum was held in Kirkwall in September 2024, hosted by UHI Orkney and Orkney Islands Council. The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, attended the event and delivered opening remarks. The forum provided an opportunity to review key activities ongoing across island stakeholders and to explore a range of forthcoming opportunities. The core focus was progressing the skills agenda to support the development of a skilled workforce across island communities at all levels including school-based training and education, further education and foundation, modern and graduate apprenticeships.

The University of Aberdeen

The University of Aberdeen’s Access and Articulation Team have designated the Secondary Schools on the Northern and Western Islands as priority schools. The team works with learners on Scotland’s islands to ensure that they have the same opportunities as a learner on mainland Scotland. The team visit the islands in person and also provide additional funding opportunities, so no learner is discriminated against on the grounds of their geographical location and prevented from attending an in-person event.

In collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College, the University delivers the Reach element of the National Schools Programme, supporting pupils from rural and island communities interested in law, medicine and vet medicine. These pupils can take part in career taster sessions, application support, and get advice and guidance from the widening access and admissions teams. To ensure parity of offering, young people from island communities are offered funding to attend all in-person events. The University is working on expanding the Reach model to other disciplines through the Access Aberdeen programme.

In 2024, the Lead Access and Articulation Officer attended a meeting of the Young Islanders Network to learn more about the support they feel young people from islands need.

The University has now fully operationalised the decision to guarantee an adjusted, conditional offer of entry to most degrees to any pupil from one of the priority schools meeting minimum entry criteria, therefore taking into account the distinct circumstances found on the islands.

Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University (HWU) has maintained a small campus in the town of Stromness in the Orkney Islands since 1989. Based at the Orkney Research and Innovation Campus this team consists of eight academics and around 30 students. Despite the small scale of this activity, it has been transformational in terms of both social and economic development.

Heriot -Watt University (HWU) has delivered postgraduate teaching from its Orkney Campus for 35 years. Focussing on marine science and renewable energy, HWU continues to draw students into Orkney with many HWU graduates choosing stay and work in the local cluster of energy and environment related businesses.

In 2024 HWU graduates joined local engineering, research, and consultancy organisations (Aquatera, EMEC, Exodus, and Leask Marine). With campuses in Dubai, Malaysia, and Edinburgh, HWU’s Go Global initiative is giving students the opportunity to study at other campuses, bringing students from around the world to Orkney. Heriot-Watt’s Online teaching platform is used to export Orkney-led education programmes to a global audience including HWU ENABLE scholars working in community energy projects in Africa. Collaborating with Orcadian businesses, British Council Go Global Partnerships funding has enabled an international teaching collaboration between Orkney and Indonesia. These initiatives use education as a tool to disseminate Scottish island energy innovation globally.

In April 2024, HWU co-hosted the international Environmental Interactions of Marine Renewables (EIMR) conference in Orkney. This event brought over 150 academics, and postgraduate research students from UK, EU, Canada and the US to Orkney. Delegates considered the environmental and social implications of expanding marine energy production. HWU is the work-package leader on two Islands Deal projects, TaLEntEd, and the Islands Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ) these initiatives focus on encouraging talent retention and entrepreneurship in the fields of low carbon and net zero. Through ICNZ, HWU is offering training in transition engineering to participants across the islands. HWU is also leading the UKRI funded TRANSECTS research programme exploring the social and environmental implications of the energy transition for the islands. Together with other tenants at the Orkney Research and Innovation Campus (ORIC), HWU contributed to ORIC’s 2024 Innovation Strategy in support of the expansion of the education and research facilities at the ORIC facilities.

HWU has continued to expand the academic staff base in Orkney through its Global Research Institute iNZ+. In a challenging environment across the higher education sector, securing funding for scholarships and addressing accommodation needs are the main challenges to continued development.

Heriot-Watt has been offering MSc teaching from its Orkney campus since 1990. Surrounded by companies working in the sector, this provides a unique learning experience. Students who come to Orkney live in a community which is embracing the energy transition. Every year some students choose to remain, working in the local energy sector. The Orkney energy cluster would not have developed without the throughput of PGT students, many of whom now hold positions of leadership. It has also allowed resident islanders to retrain (and expat Orcadians to return) with the prospect of securing a job. This activity has delivered a steady flow of skilled graduates into the local energy sector, which has been an essential component of Orkney’s success.

Heriot-Watt’s presence in Orkney demonstrates three things. Firstly, it is possible to do high quality research outside conventional university settings. Furthermore, university presence can be transformational delivering spin-out and acting a catalyst for other startups. Finally, delivering postgraduate teaching within an innovation cluster offers a unique learning experience for students; it can also help stem rural depopulation.

Robert Gordon University (RGU)

Robert Gordon University (RGU) has a strong commitment to collaboration, co-production and partnership with island stakeholders as highlighted in the RGU Orkney 2023-2028 Strategy.

As a demonstration of ongoing commitment to Orkney, RGU signed the Orkney Universities Strategic Alliance, a new agreement with the University of the Highlands and Islands, and Heriot-Watt University to work together for the benefit of Orkney.

RGU partners with businesses across the Islands to ensure that their workforce has the right skills and capabilities to help their business succeed through work-based learning programmes such as Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) and online short courses. Since the launch of GAs in 2017, more than 75 individuals from the islands have enrolled on a GA programme, the majority of which are based on Shetland and Orkney.

Another example of RGU partnering with businesses across the islands is through knowledge exchange programmes, for example the recently completed KTP programme to support the growth of a year-round, sustainable business for Harris Tweed Hebrides and the home weaver industry on the isles of Lewis and Harris. This project was rated as outstanding by Innovate UK.

RGU is a partner, alongside the University of the Highlands and Islands and Heriot Watt University, in the TalEntEd Islands Growth Deal project, creating attractive opportunities for people to remain in the islands through study and work, and attracting new people to the islands. RGU is leading the Islands Entrepreneurship Network and Innovative Islands Intrapreneurship work packages and following signing of the Grant Offer Letter in December 2024, has now commenced delivery of the 3.5 year Islands Entrepreneurship Network programme, working in partnership with community groups, community trusts, local businesses and other established organisations to build a supportive entrepreneurship ecosystem and series of entrepreneurship programmes, tailored to the needs of the islands.

Commitment 12.2 Support UHI as it deepens collaboration with island partners to promote learner pathways, innovation and industry/employer engagement.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• We will continue to engage with UHI to identify opportunities for joint work and pursue shared priorities emerging from UHI’s Islands Strategy and the new National Islands Plan.
• We are committed to take responsibility for skills planning at the national level, while strengthening regional approaches.
• National skills planning will inform and be informed by regional skills planning, ideally building on approaches that are already being developed by Regional Economic Partnerships, where key stakeholders including employers, enterprise agencies, colleges, universities, local authorities are already represented.
• We want colleges to play a central role in regional skills planning, and for regional stakeholders to identify their specific skills needs in accordance with their respective strategies. We recognise the diversity of need and sector priorities across regional economies and we are engaging with REPs as well as the Regional Economic Development division in this regard.
• We plan to develop interim guiding principles on regional skills planning, and establish the skills planning technical advisory group in September 2024.

The Scottish Government’s Islands Team have engaged with UHI representatives to explore opportunities for joint work and interdependencies between the new National Islands Plan and UHI’s Islands Strategy. This included the Islands Team participation in the UHI Islands Forum held in Orkney in September 2024.

In line with commitments made in the Programme for Government 2024-25, and as part of the Post-School Education and Skills Reform programme, work is progressing on a Scottish Government-led skills planning approach that will help develop a better, more strategic understanding of our national skills needs, and how these can be better addressed, particularly where solutions lie within the education and skills system. A strengthened approach to regional skills planning will recognise the diversity of need across our regional economies and ensuring that no region is left behind.

In September 2024, a set of initial guidelines for developing an approach to regional skills planning was shared with key partners, including Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council, Colleges Scotland and Universities Scotland, the three Enterprise Agencies and the Regional Economic Partnership (REP) Network. True to our commitment of collaboration to ensure the system is responsive to regional and national skills needs and to allow partners to inform its development in the early stages, the guidelines were supported by an extensive programme of engagement with said partners conducted over October to December 2024.

A dedicated session with the Highland and Islands Regional Economic Partnership saw participation from island stakeholders including Orkney Islands Council, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, Argyll and Bute Council, North Ayrshire Council, and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Attendees were able to provide feedback on the guidelines, outline challenges and opportunities, and share best practices in their respective areas of competence.

Commitment 12.3 Ensure that young people are given the same opportunities to access education as young people on mainland Scotland.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• Education Scotland will continue to include island practitioners in groups and professional learning reviewing curriculum pathways and curriculum planning to continue to increase access to the curriculum for all children and young people.
• The Rural Skills Accelerator programme will include a mobile STEM Academy which will serve island and rural communities in Argyll and Bute.

Two teachers from Orkney participated in the Professional Learning and Leadership: Curriculum Innovation and Design programme in cohort 3. The aims of this programme are to strengthen capacity for curriculum design at local level, increasing knowledge, understanding and professional confidence and support collaboration across local authorities and sectors.

Commitment 12.4 Work with young people across Scottish islands to ensure that they are able to contribute to the implementation of the Plan from an education perspective and to ensure that their voices are present.

Commitment Fulfilled.

This commitment was fulfilled in 2020. Please see the National Islands Plan Annual Report 2020 for further details.

Young Islanders Network (YIN)

Please see detailed update in Strategic Objective 1, Commitment 1.4.

Commitment 12.5 Continue to support and promote Gaelic medium education at all levels.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• We will continue to support the Northern Alliance working group for Gaelic.
• The Scottish Government introduced the Scottish Languages Bill to the Scottish Parliament in November 2023. Among its aims is that of establishing a new strategic approach to Gaelic education.
• HM Inspectors will continue to ensure that islands, and Gaelic language and education are sampled in inspection and review activities, to promote accountability, build capacity, share effective practice and inform policy.

Gaelic Medium Education

The Scottish Languages Bill has reached Stage 3 in Parliament. Among its overarching aims is the introduction of a new, strategic approach to Gaelic Education. The Bill includes a requirement for education authorities to consider the provision of Gaelic education throughout their functions, improved access to Gaelic medium early learning and childcare and a requirement for education authorities to produce delivery plans outlining how they will meet their obligations towards Gaelic medium education.

The progress of the Bill is occurring alongside our existing work in support of Gaelic medium education and relevant bodies across the sector.

HM Inspectors of Education

HM Inspectors successfully completed inspections and reviews for Gàidhlig (Gaelic) Medium and Learner Education during the academic year 2023-24. Gàidhlig Medium and Learner Education was inspected in island early learning and childcare, primary and secondary schools, and community learning and development. HM Inspectors fully met key performance indicators to have specialist inspectors lead inspections of Gàidhlig, and in making Inspection reports available in Gàidhlig and English on the same day of publication.

HM Inspectors inspected Gàidhlig Medium provisions on islands as part of national thematic inspections. This had a focus on matamataig (mathematics) and ensures that HM Inspectors are providing evidence to inform the development of educational policy and practice. HM Inspectors have provided professional and inspection advice to inform the content of the Scottish Languages Bill.

Commitment 12.6 Work with all island authorities to scope potential projects that could benefit from successive phases of the new £1 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme which runs until 2026.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• The £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme prioritises schools in need of updating, as identified by local authorities, to ensure rapid progress where most required and will benefit tens of thousands of pupils across Scotland.
• The Scottish Government announced the 10 successful Learning Estate Investment Programme Phase 3 projects in October 2023. 47 projects have been selected to be supported through Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Learning Estate Investment Programme, which includes at least one priority project from every island authority. The Scottish Government will continue to work with COSLA, local authorities and Scottish Futures Trust to explore how we can deliver further improvements in the school estate.

The £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) prioritises schools identified by local authorities as in need of updating and will benefit tens of thousands of pupils across Scotland.

A total of 47 projects have been selected to be supported through Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the LEIP, which includes at least one priority project in all six of the island authorities.

We continue to work closely with the six island authorities to support and deliver the following school projects:

• Mull Campus – new Community Campus for the island of Mull to replace existing schools in Tobermory.
• Barra & Vatersay Community Campus – design appraisal currently underway looking at a mix of new build and refurbishment options for primary and high schools, incorporating existing community sports facility.
• Broadford Primary School – new primary school and Early Years incorporating Community Hall and Library.
• Kirkwall ASN Centre – project scope currently under review by Orkney Islands Council to make improvements and expand existing Glaitness Primary School and neighbouring buildings, with a view to creating an integrated centre for pupils with additional support needs (ASN).
• Brae Campus – new campus facility for Early Years, ASN, Primary and Secondary pupils featuring sheltered courtyard and double pitch roof design to reduce scale of building in the landscape. The layout will allow community access to hall and library outwith school hours.

The Scottish Government will continue to work with COSLA, local authorities and The Scottish Futures Trust to explore how we can deliver further improvements in the school estate.

Commitment 12.7 Increase our collective efforts to improve the educational outcomes of children living in poverty by continuing to support island authorities/schools plans to raise attainment through Scottish Attainment Challenge programmes such as Pupil Equity Funding.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• Education Scotland will continue to collaborate with island authorities to improve educational outcomes of children living in poverty. Five Attainment Advisors work with local authority central staff and individual schools to continue to improve the use of data, identify need and develop appropriate interventions to close the poverty related attainment gap. Joint cross-island professional learning is taking place to develop skills in data use and how to make best use of the Pupil Equity Funding.

Education Scotland have worked in collaboration with lead central officers from Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles councils and with Scottish Government analysts to develop an Islands Poverty Index. Data sharing agreements have been signed by all stakeholders. It is intended that this index will support:

• a shared language and a consistent measure across the three local authorities;
• a definition of the poverty-related gaps, and a demonstration of progress towards closing these;
• a mechanism to contextualise and identify poverty-related gaps within island areas;
• appropriate targeting of resources to improve outcomes for children and young people; and
• data that can be used for improvement, comparison and collaboration creating a networked learning system across the three council areas.

Separately, Education Scotland has undertaken extensive engagement and activities in partnership with island local authorities. Examples include:

• work with Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar to deliver a further extension of their schools’ engagement with the Children and Young People Improvement Collaborative (CYPIC) National Improving Writing programme. The impact of this collaboration has resulted in a significant increase in attainment in writing for P4 pupils from the schools involved.
• targeted support to five schools within Argyll and Bute, one of which is an island school.
• support professional learning of central staff, headteachers and staff in Orkney to improve their use of data and at all levels. Data is used to ensure that schools’ identification and understanding of gaps is reflected in their improvement work and in ensuring that Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) is used effectively.
• work with Shetland Islands Council to raise the profile of the Care Experienced Children and Young People (CECYP) Fund and The Promise. Education Scotland has also facilitated knowledge sharing between Highland Council and Shetland Islands Council in relation to the development of a dedicated tracking system.

Commitment 12.8 Consider the needs of adult learners in our island communities as we develop our adult learning strategy for Scotland.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• A report on the independent review of Community Learning and Development (CLD) was published in July 2024. We will continue to engage with adult learners in our island communities to identify how we can remove barriers to learning as we consider the recommendations from the independent review of CLD alongside COSLA.

The implementation of the Adult Learning Strategy was paused in light of the Independent Review of Community Learning and Development announced on 5 December 2023. The review concluded in June 2024 and the Learning for All for Life report was published in July 2024. The review examined the extent to which Community Learning and Development is delivering positive outcomes for some of our most vulnerable learners, including adult learners in island communities.

The Scottish Government and COSLA have accepted the first recommendation of the review report to establish a joint Community Learning and Development Strategic Leadership Group (SLG). The SLG will play a central role in developing our detailed response to the other 19 recommendations, including on adult learning. The Scottish Government and COSLA are working on the membership and terms of reference for the first meeting of the SLG in early 2025.