A REPORT into local authority run schools in West Dunbartonshire has shown a decrease in satisfaction levels.

The report reveals that satisfaction levels fell from 96 per cent to 81 per cent in one year.

And West Dunbartonshire Councillor Jim Bollan reckons the drop could be down to "patchy attainment levels."

The local authority's Educational Services Committee is to meet on Wednesday and one report, entitled Education, Learning & Attainment Delivery Plan 2016/17: Mid-Year, will be presented to members.

It says: "A telephone survey of 300 residents is carried out every quarter to gauge satisfaction levels with a range of Council services.

"In the second quarter of 2016 (1 July to 30 September), satisfaction with Council schools declined from 93% the previous quarter to 81%.

"This is below the level recorded for 2015 (96%) and 2014 (89%)."

Councillor Bollan said: "Very disappointing that in a public survey of 300 residents every quarter, satisfaction with Council Schools fell from 96% to 81% in one year.

"This should start alarm bells ringing.

"These responses could be related to the patchy attainment levels achieved, particularly in our Secondary Schools.

"Labour need to understand what the underlying problem is, after these very negative views from the public, and come up with solutions to ensure none of our children are left behind in these attainment programmes."

Wednesday's meeting will also highlight the latest attainment figures at Dumbarton Academy and Vale of Leven Academy, which have produced a mixed bag of results.

While there positives for both schools across a number of categories, the report indicates that there is room for improvement overall.

At Dumbarton Academy, and in comparison with the preceding year group, 4.9 per cent fewer pupils achieved literacy at SCQF Level 4 or above, while 1.6 per cent fewer pupils achieved 3, 4 or five National 5s or better.

And 1.1 per cent fewer pupils achieved SCQF unit awards.

On the plus side 6.3 per cent more pupils achieved numeracy at SCQF level 4 or above, while 18 per cent more pupils achieved one or more Advanced Highers.

At Vale of Leven Academy, they have made improvements across the board.

In comparison with the preceding year group 2.8 per cent more pupils achieved SCQF unit awards, while 8.4 per cent more pupils achieved one of more highers.

In Advanced Highers, 8.1 per cent more pupils achieved one of more, while 7 per cent more pupils achieved numeracy at SCQF leven 4 or above.

But in comparison with West Dunbartonshire Council levels Vale of Leven is falling behind in most categories.

The report to go before members goes into the background of the figures, saying: "The strategy to raise attainment and achievement in West Dunbartonshire was agreed by the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee (now known

as the Educational Services Committee) in September 2011.

"A further recommendation was agreed that a report on progress with the implementation of the Strategy should be presented to every Education and Lifelong Learning Committee (now known as the Educational Services

Committee) as a standing item."

The Scottish Attainment Challenge was launched in 2015.

As a challenge authority West Dunbartonshire has been involved in delivering projects targeted at the primary stages.

The challenge projects target schools and local authorities with the highest concentration of pupils living in multiple

deprivation to close the attainment gap.

The report continues: "Additional funding has been allocated to secondary attainment projects with confirmation of funding announced in October 2016.

"The Attainment Challenge is part of the Government drive to ‘Deliver Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education.

"The Scottish Attainment Challenge has a budget of £750 million over the next five years with West Dunbartonshire being one of seven local authorities in the first tranche for primary schools in August 2015."

A further update will be submitted to the Committee at its March 2017 meeting.

Jackie Baillie MSP expressed caution. She said: “We need to be cautious about drawing any serious conclusions from one telephone poll based on a small sample size of 300 people. It would only take 36 residents to change their views to reach the satisfaction levels recorded in the previous quarter and the poll doesn't specifically target parents.

"It is important to listen to local parents and address any concerns they may have, but ultimately we need to ensure that education is properly resourced. Instead of slashing education by £500m as the SNP did in last year’s budget, we need to see increased investment. We know that investing in education is not only good for our children, it's good for our economy too.”

A spokeswoman for WDC said: “The monthly telephone survey provides a snapshot which helps the Council to gauge the views of our 89,000 residents.

Results typically can fluctuate quarter to quarter which is why we judge services on performance over a 12-month period.

In this most recent case the reduction is broadly attributable to a drop in the satisfaction with schools among those aged 65 and over, from 84% in Quarter 2 to 66% in Quarter 3.”