West Dunbartonshire's early learning progress revealed
Councillor Clare Steel, convener of educational services, said: "It is very encouraging to see the increase in the number of children meeting the benchmark in both literacy and numeracy.
"This increase is due to the commitment the staff have to the children they look after.
"I want to thank our dedicated staff at all our centres who are determined to deliver exciting and engaging learning to our youngest residents."
Read more: Victim support organisation grateful for new wave of Dunbartonshire volunteers
The report highlights that those not yet meeting the benchmarks are expected to do so by the time they enter primary one.
Attendance is also being monitored closely, with the average rate across council-run settings at 86.9 per cent.
In addition, 138 pre-school children will defer starting primary one this year, a 64 per cent increase compared to 2021/22.
Councillor John Millar, vice convener of educational services, said: "I am delighted to see this progress and also that children are on track to meet the level by the end of primary one.
"It is also reassuring to know that while we have seen the highest number of deferrals in five years, our centres have the capacity to accommodate every child whose family want their child to remain in early education for another year."
Read more: New heating controls installed in multi-storey council blocks
The report also highlighted continued support for staff development in the sector.
Twenty-five modern apprentices are currently supported in early learning roles within council centres.
Seventeen have achieved a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) Level 3 and secured employment, while five more are working toward the qualification.
Since 2022, the council has also supported 23 career changers into early learning, with 18 completing their qualifications and five still in training.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
West Dunbartonshire pupils celebrate exam results as 95% gain qualifications
Of almost 10,000 qualifications in West Dunabrtonshire, 95 per cent achieved at least one national qualification. West Dunbartonshire's school pupils were celebrating this week after receiving their highly-anticipated SQA exam results. More than 2,200 youngsters received their results, from National 4 and 5 to Highers and Advanced Highers. Students across all seven secondary schools in the area had been hard at work to achieve their qualifications and for many the results signals the completion of their school education, as they progress onto positive next steps, including university and college courses, apprenticeships, and full-time employment. Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, met with pupils to mark the occasion. She said: 'Our young people have shown incredible determination and resilience in getting to this point. The exam period can be a hugely stressful time, and each and every pupil should be proud of what they've achieved. 'Speaking with pupils today, it was inspiring to hear the range of paths they're taking — from further education to starting apprenticeships. It shows just how many exciting options are open to young people in West Dunbartonshire. I wish them all the very best as they take their next steps.' Vice Convener Councillor John Millar also praised the students, adding: 'Huge congratulations to all our pupils—your results are a credit to you and testament to your dedication and hard work. 'Whatever your results say today, know that there are many ways to reach your goals. For anyone who may not have received the outcome they hoped for, there is support available and guidance on where to go next.' For support or advice, Skills Development Scotland's Results Helpline is open from 8am on 0808 100 8000. This year, SQA supplied West Dunbartonshire with results for 9,912 qualifications. Of those, 95% achieved at least one national qualification. At Higher level, 75% of pupils received at least one pass, while 77% of those sitting Advanced Highers achieved a pass. 80% gained at least one National 5 pass and 100% achieved at least one pass at National 4 level. Notably, in a number of specialist subjects—such as Advanced Higher Art & Design, Graphic Communication, Physical Education and Spanish; Higher Health and Social Care; and National 5 courses including Accounting, Dance, Early Learning & Childcare, Energy, Health Sector, Italian, Media, Laboratory Science, Sport & Recreation and Travel and Tourism — 100% of candidates achieved a passing grade. Chief Education Officer Laura Mason commended both pupils and staff, saying: 'Our pupils should feel a real sense of pride in what they've achieved. These results reflect not just the hard work of young people, but also the dedication of our school staff and the support from families at home. 'We remain committed to helping every young person in West Dunbartonshire reach their full potential. Many of our pupils take part in wider learning opportunities beyond today's exam results, and we look forward to reflecting on their full achievements when the national Insight data is released in September.'
Glasgow Times
01-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Clydebank parents fury as schools lose crossing patrollers
Following the council budget for 25/26, the decision was made to remove almost half of the lollipop people in West Dunbartonshire as they faced closing a £7.7million budget gap. The Glasgow Times visited parents at Our Lady of Loretto in Dalmuir, where their two patrollers on the junction of Dumbarton Road and Mountblow Road will not return to their posts in August. One parent, Megan Sawyers, told of her concern as the busy carriageway commonly sees large buses and lorries driving down the road daily. She said: "It's just insane that they [council] think that's acceptable, and the minimal amount of saving they must make from however many positions it is. "There are always accidents here. Last week, there was there were two cars that hit a fence." Parents and carers received confirmation last week of which schools are to be affected by the removal of the patrollers. West Dunbartonshire Council's Roads service, along with a specialist consultant, says they undertook a review of all 30 locations against the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents recommendations and School Crossing Patrol Service Guidelines. Megan also raised concerns over the traffic lights at the box junction. Traffic heading north on Mountblow Road doesn't have a filter lane at their traffic lights, which results in many of them running a red light, according to Megan. She added: "You get the buses going through it, you get trucks going through it. They wouldn't even be able to see a kid trying to cross behind them or in front of them. "Since they changed the intersection last summer holidays, the timing on the lights never seems to have been correct to get the traffic through safely." West Dunbartonshire Council, however, said they have no statutory obligation to provide school crossing patrollers and have received no complaints regarding the lights at the junction. However, it is understood they are set to carry out an inspection at the site. Barbara O'Hanlon (Image: Newsquest) Barbara O'Hanlon, who was at the school picking up her grandkids, called the news 'ridiculous.' She said: 'They definitely need [patrollers] for the kids because that's a busy road. That's scandalous. 'The kids definitely need it, and so do the adults as well. 'The lollipop ladies have been there for 40 years; she was there when we were taking our kids to school.' Maryanne Scott, who also has children at the school, warns that there could be fatal consequences to the cutting of patrollers. She said: "It's going to cost a life in the long run, so as much as they're saving funding, they will lose someone. "It's not practical at all; it's a major safety issue. You can give someone back their job, you can't give a kid back their life." (Image: Newsquest) Nicole McKenna, who was waiting on her two children, said: "That's a really, really busy road, and kids will get hurt. The road is mobbed. 'There are crashes at the bottom of Mountblow Road. "It's sad because the kids have grown up with the lollipop ladies; they look forward to going up and saying hi to them.' A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesperson said: 'Despite a budget gap of £7.7million for 2025/26, with similar financial challenges forecast in future years, an option to remove all crossing patrollers was rejected and we are continuing to provide the service at 17 locations across the authority. 'Sites where crossing patrollers are retained were identified by an independent assessment, which considered each location's traffic and pedestrian volumes. 'We have not received any complaints about the traffic lights at Mountblow Road, but the site will be inspected to ensure they are operating correctly. Drivers who do not adhere to the sequence of traffic lights should be reported to Police Scotland. 'The safety of our school pupils remains our priority, and work continues to ensure safe routes to schools.'
Glasgow Times
03-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
West Dunbartonshire's early learning progress revealed
A recent report to West Dunbartonshire Council's Educational Services Committee has shown an 18 per cent increase in literacy and a 10 per cent rise in numeracy since December. Councillor Clare Steel, convener of educational services, said: "It is very encouraging to see the increase in the number of children meeting the benchmark in both literacy and numeracy. "This increase is due to the commitment the staff have to the children they look after. "I want to thank our dedicated staff at all our centres who are determined to deliver exciting and engaging learning to our youngest residents." Read more: Victim support organisation grateful for new wave of Dunbartonshire volunteers The report highlights that those not yet meeting the benchmarks are expected to do so by the time they enter primary one. Attendance is also being monitored closely, with the average rate across council-run settings at 86.9 per cent. In addition, 138 pre-school children will defer starting primary one this year, a 64 per cent increase compared to 2021/22. Councillor John Millar, vice convener of educational services, said: "I am delighted to see this progress and also that children are on track to meet the level by the end of primary one. "It is also reassuring to know that while we have seen the highest number of deferrals in five years, our centres have the capacity to accommodate every child whose family want their child to remain in early education for another year." Read more: New heating controls installed in multi-storey council blocks The report also highlighted continued support for staff development in the sector. Twenty-five modern apprentices are currently supported in early learning roles within council centres. Seventeen have achieved a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) Level 3 and secured employment, while five more are working toward the qualification. Since 2022, the council has also supported 23 career changers into early learning, with 18 completing their qualifications and five still in training.
