A council which received a “highly negative” report into the management of its education system has been branded “incredibly foolish” in pursuing a complaint against the watchdog which assessed it.
Education Scotland said that Argyll and Bute Council’s education service had weak leadership and that it must “significantly improve young people’s attainment across the authority”.
It also highlighted some strengths, including the proportion of young people who move on from school to a positive destination.
A Special Meeting of the council’s Community Services Committee took place yesterday.
Officers informed councillors of the progress made and action plan agreed to deal with the “number of highly negative aspects” in the report.
They also criticised the inspection process and said that a formal complaint has been made to Education Scotland.
Speaking after the meeting, Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, said: “I think they are incredibly foolish to pursue what is a complaint against Education Scotland.
“They should knuckle down and follow what has been asked of them.
“One of the failures in the report is poor educational leadership. They are illustrating that by their refusal to accept the report.”
During the meeting, council chief executive Cleland Sneddon said: “It is the view of officers the approach that has been taken to this inspection is different than the approach taken to other inspections.”
He said that a formal complaint has been submitted to Education Scotland and that the council has invited the watchdog to a meeting, which will probably take place in the middle of May.
He said: “We want to avoid confrontation. It has been six months since this inspection took place. A great many things have changed.”
Councillor Michael Breslin asked if they would withdraw the complaint in the interests of better relations.
Mr Sneddon said that might be an option after the meeting, depending on the feedback.
The committee agreed a motion proposed by Rory Colville to note the report and the progress to respond to its concerns.
It also agreed to refer the matter for consideration by the full council at a special meeting due to take place this morning.
An Education Scotland spokesperson said: “HM Inspectors followed a rigorous and robust independent inspection process. Argyll and Bute Council had the opportunity to comment on the draft report and to provide any additional evidence however the final published report is the independent evaluation of HM Inspectors who are appointed to carry out this statutory function.”
