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1. Declaration of interests:

Ruth Maguire declared that she has no relevant interests.

2. Scottish Attainment Challenge Inquiry:

The Committee heard evidence from—

Jim Thewliss, General Secretary, School Leaders Scotland;

Mike Corbett, National Official (Scotland), NASUWT;

Andrea Bradley, Assistant Secretary, Education and Equality, Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS);

Greg Dempster, General Secretary, Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland (AHDS).

3. British Sign Language Bill (UK Parliament legislation):

The Committee considered the legislative consent memorandum lodged on 9 March 2022 by Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, (LCM(S6)17) and agreed a report on the Legislative Consent Memorandum would be signed off by the Convener and Deputy Convener.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered and made no comment on the following negative instruments—  (SSI 2022/97) and the  (SSI 2022/102).

5. Evidence Session (In Private):

The Committee deferred consideration of the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2 to a later meeting.

6. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme. 

The Committee considered correspondence of 8 March from the Deputy First Minister, which provided an update on the redress scheme.  The Committee agreed to write to the Deputy First Minister on a number of related matters and to consider the response at a future meeting. The Committee agreed that the letter would be signed off by the Convener and Deputy Convener.

The Committee agreed to hold a one-off evidence session on the implementation of 1140 hours funded early learning and childcare policy at its meeting on 25 May.

The Committee considered and noted a response of 31 March from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans regarding children in prisons. The Committee also noted the ongoing consultation on the Children’s Care and Justice Bill.