A DAMNING report into the running of schools by a Scottish council has been used as a justification for wider reforms by Education Secretary John Swinney.

The minister spoke out after Argyll and Bute Council received one of the worst inspection reports ever issued to a local authority by Education Scotland.

The inspectorate rated the council’s performance as “weak” in four out of five categories including delivery, improvement and leadership.

Mr Swinney used the example to highlight why he thought it was important to change the way schools are run in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has drawn up proposals to give headteachers more power over funding and set up new educational regions which will see councils working together to improve education.

Following a keynote speech at Queen Margaret University, in Edinburgh, Mr Swinney described as “worrying” responses to the government’s consultation on governance changes which argued against radical action.

He said: “I cannot honestly put my hand on my heart and say that every local authority in the country can provide the quality of support their schools require.

“Education Scotland produced a very damning report on Argyll and Bute with nearly every single category as weak. Am I supposed to just ignore that?

“If I then look at some of the data coming out of inspections there are questions raised about the performance of some local authorities.”

Mr Swinney said he acknowledged some councils were offering strong support to schools.

But he added: “It is clear there is a strong body of opinion that does not accept the need for change and what is perhaps most worrying is that body of opinion is from within Scottish education.

“Looking at the data, the status quo is not an option. Change is needed, change is happening and more change is coming.”

The comments on Argyll and Bute came after Education Scotland raised significant concerns about the way it was running its 78 primaries, ten secondaries and one special school.

Its report said: “Whilst there are a few areas of strength, there remain significant areas for improvement in how well the education authority has achieved positive outcomes for its children and young people.

“Overall... there remains considerable scope for further improvements in attainment. In several important measures of attainment, young people in Argyll and Bute do less well than learners who have similar needs and backgrounds from elsewhere.

“Young people’s attainment and progress in literacy and numeracy by the time they leave school is overall lower than comparable averages.”

Ann Marie Knowles , the council’s executive director of community services, said changes were being implemented, but she also criticised the inspection process.

She said: “Our children are getting a good foundation for learning when they start their education. They are leaving us well equipped to build happy, prosperous lives.

“Our service already boasts key strengths and we are already taking action to progress improvement where needed. Change for the better is happening.”

She added: “We will continue to work with Education Scotland as part of our drive for excellence. However we have concerns about the process and outcomes of this inspection which took place in September last year.

“We will hold a special meeting of the Community Services Committee in April to fully discuss this report and outline those concerns. Education Scotland will be invited to attend.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Green education spokesman Ross Greer accused the government of trying to centralise power over schools.

He said: “When there are 4,000 fewer teachers than a decade ago, 500 fewer additional support needs teachers than in 2010 and hundreds of support staff gone, it’s beyond me how the government can turn a blind eye to that and focus instead on structural reforms.”

Mr Swinney plans to publish a next-steps document in June on the review proposals and funding.