Ambitious plans to drive excellence and equity in education
Published 23 September 2026
An ambitious educational Improvement Plan which sets out a clear commitment to build on positive outcomes for children and young people and tackle inequalities across West Dunbartonshire has been approved.
The plan, presented to Council’s Educational Services Committee, outlines key priorities to ensure every child and young person has the opportunity to learn and succeed, including a focus on
Wellbeing, Inclusion and Equity for All; Learning, Teaching, Attainment and Achievement; Employability and Positive Destinations; and Curriculum, Creativity and Future-Ready Learning.
The four priorities support action to improve attendance, strengthen inclusion, raise attainment, develop skills for employment, and provide young people with personalised pathways that prepare them for future success.
The Council is committed to delivering excellence and learning across all stages of education, while continuing to reduce the poverty-related attainment gaps. Focus will also be concentrated on continuing to remove barriers that can prevent children and young people from reaching their full potential.
The improvement plan, developed in line with the Scottish Government's National Improvement Framework, reflects ongoing national reforms aimed at modernising curriculum, assessment, qualifications and learner pathways. It has also been informed by feedback from stakeholders and aligns with the Council's wider strategic priorities.
The plan also recognises the importance of a modern and adaptable learning environment to meet the needs of future generations.
Convener of Educational Services, Councillor Michelle McGinty, said: "We are ambitious for every child and young person in West Dunbartonshire. This improvement plan demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring all learners have access to high-quality education and the support they need to thrive.
"By focusing on wellbeing, attainment, employability and future-ready learning, we will continue to build on the progress already made while addressing the challenges that remain. Our goal is to ensure every learner is equipped with the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to succeed in life."
Vice Convener of Educational Services, Councillor John Millar, said: "This plan sets out a clear and focused approach to delivering excellence and equity across all stages of education. It reflects our ambition to provide outstanding learning experiences while continuing to reduce inequalities and improve outcomes for children and young people.
"Through strong partnerships, robust quality assurance and a relentless focus on improvement, we will continue to support schools and early learning settings to deliver the best possible opportunities for learners across West Dunbartonshire."
Progress of the plan will be closely monitored through the Education Services’ Excellence and Equity Board, local authority quality assurance arrangements, school self-evaluation processes and external inspection evidence. Regular updates on performance and outcomes will be reported to committee throughout the year.