The Education and Culture Committee visited Wester Hailes Education Centre, Edinburgh, on 3 March 2015, to meet with the head teacher, other staff and pupils. Representatives from local businesses and Skills Development Scotland also attended.

The purpose of the visit was to inform members in advance of the Committee’s formal evidence session on the implications for schools, teachers and pupils of the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce (taking place on 10 March 2015). In particular, the visit allowed the Committee to understand the vocational options open to senior pupils at the school.

Both the visit and the evidence session are part of the Committee’s wider work on the educational attainment gap in schools.