A FACILITY that provides training for North Ayrshire’s teachers has been recognised for its brilliant service.

The Council’s first-ever Professional Learning Academy has only been open for a year but is already making a massive impact locally and beyond.

And the team behind the facility – officially opened by Depute First Minister John Swinney in October 2016 - were rewarded after they won the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s (GTCS) Excellence in Professional Learning Award.

The ground-breaking new facility has been established by the Council to develop and enhance the skill-set of our teachers and practitioners.

Based at Auchenharvie Academy, some of the authority’s most highly-skilled teachers are now developing and delivering programmes to their peers which will enhance the learning and teaching in establishments across the area.

The award recognises the work the PLA is undertaking which will ultimately have a positive impact on pupils.

The panel members commented on the excellent work of all the PLA team and praised the senior management team for their bold, clear and aspirational vision.

Councillor John Bell, Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Employment, said: “We are delighted with the Award as it recognises the work of the Professional Learning Academy staff.

“We are taking an innovative and creative approach and have recognised that our teachers are our most powerful and best resource.

“Like the rest of Scotland, North Ayrshire has an attainment gap and we are serious about closing the gap and making sure that there is no poverty of ambition for any young person across North Ayrshire. The PLA is one of a range of initiatives put in place to help us do that.

“The work the teachers are doing is inspiring and ground-breaking and I’m sure we will see the positive results of all their hard work over the coming years.”

In 2015, North Ayrshire Council was one of seven local authorities chosen to benefit from the £100million Attainment Scotland Fund and the PLA was developed from this strand of funding.

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