THE Leader of North Ayrshire Council says he was ‘inspired’ after his first visit to North Ayrshire’s Professional Learning Academy.

Councillor Joe Cullinane spent Wednesday afternoon at the council’s new £400,000 facility that is developing and enhancing the skill-set of our teachers and practitioners.

Based at Auchenharvie Academy, some of the authority’s most highly-skilled practitioners are developing programmes which enhance the learning and teaching in our establishments.

When Councillor Cullinane visited, teachers from Glebe Primary and Beith Primary were in the classroom for their twilight session with the focus on the delivery of numeracy.

He said: “This facility, which is funded through the Attainment Challenge, is trying to change the way we teach our young people in North Ayrshire.

“We’ve clearly got an attainment gap between those living in the more affluent areas and those in the more deprived areas and the Learning Academy is going to try and close the gap. The work they are doing is inspiring and ground-breaking and I’m sure we will see the positive results of all their hard work over the next six, seven and eight years.

“The work they do is based on best practice from research across the world.

“I’m really encouraged by the passion of the staff and hugely encouraged by the work they do.”

Last year, North Ayrshire Council was one of seven local authorities chosen to benefit from the £100million Attainment Scotland Fund.

The fund is designed to raise attainment and ensure that school pupils receive the best possible start in life, regardless of their background.

The approach to training is distinctive - with sessions organised weeks apart so that teachers have the opportunity to apply their learning in class, evaluate thoroughly and share their findings.

A career-long professional learning programme is also being finalised which will ensure there are opportunities for student teachers right through to established Head Teachers.

And it’s hoped the Professional Learning Academy will play a huge role in ensuring there is no poverty of aspiration, ambition or opportunity for our children.

Cllr Cullinane added: “We are hugely ambitious for our children and will continue to expand the programme to support staff within schools.

“We need to support our most vulnerable young people to give them the best start in life.

“We are firmly committed to ensuring we continue to drive improvements, raise attainment and promote equality among all children in North Ayrshire.”