Glasgow and neighbouring councils pre-empt education reform with new collaboration

Classwork - PA wire

A group of Glasgow councils have drawn up plans to form a region-wide education collaborative focusing on educational reform.

The proposal, involving East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire councils, puts forward an alternative structure to that proposed by Education Secretary John Swinney.

As part of its review of schools governance, the Scottish Government set out a partnership model last month that was criticised for handing more control to ministers.

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Councils umbrella body COSLA has said it will support councils to come up with an alternative.

The Glasgow region collaboration will be inspired by the Northern Alliance of councils in the north of Scotland who have shared some education services.

Under the proposal, the regional directors would be appointed by member councils rather than by central government.

John Ross, the Leader of South Lanarkshire Council, said: ““The Glasgow City Region is Scotland’s economic powerhouse.

“The partners involved are already working together to grow the economy, and we have an opportunity to consider how we expand that co-operation to also improve education outcomes.

“That way we can work to ensure that our young people get every opportunity to take advantage of that economic growth.

“The City Region will work closely with the Scottish Government to maximise those opportunities for our young people.”

A COSLA spokesperson said: “COSLA is working positively with senior officers in Councils to develop a constructive offer on Regional Collaboration. 

“We do not believe that it is necessary to establish formal bodies to undertake regional collaboration. 

“Local democratic accountability must continue to hold a key place in education and we want to build on the success of the regional collaboratives which are currently in place.”