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A plan which sets out how education and learning will improve across four local authority areas will be the main talking point at an event next week.

The regional summit, which takes place in Alva Academy on Monday 22 January, will bring together headteachers, elected members and education professionals to discuss and provide feedback on the first regional improvement plan for the Forth Valley and West Lothian Improvement Collaborative (RIC).

The RIC was set up last year and covers Falkirk, Stirling, Clackmannanshire and West Lothian Council areas.

Speakers at Monday’s event include David Istance, senior analyst with the OECD, Graeme Logan, Strategic Director with Education Scotland, Education Scotland. Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney will also address the conference.

Robert Naylor, Lead officer for the RIC said: “This is our first plan for improvement across the four Council areas. We’re consulting with head teachers and are keen to get as many views as possible before it’s submitted to the Scottish Government at the end of this month.

“We’re seeking to build a collaborative culture that will support teachers across the region to focus learning and teaching on practice that will improve outcomes for children and help close the socio-economic attainment gap.”

There are six RICs across Scotland. They were set up to work together across the partnership area to identify and share best practice, identify interventions and learning to support teachers and  close the poverty related  attainment gap.

Graeme Logan, Strategic Director at Education Scotland, said: “Education Scotland is delighted to be involved in the Forth Valley and West Lothian Regional Collaborative’s inaugural summit.  We look forward to working with practitioners across the ‎Forth Valley and West Lothian as they work together in new ways to transform the lives of children and young people through learning.”