Staffing Update
We said farewell to Mr Southern recently who has taken up a new post nearer to home. We'll continue with our recruitment to his post during this term.
We welcomed our new teacher, Laura O'Donnell, within our Enhanced Provision, based in our DAS setting. Laura is with us on a Monday and Tuesday and has settled in really well.
We're pleased to have welcomed Mrs Dewar back into Home Economics and have secured some supply staff in this area too (subject specialist), meaning we can continue to deliver almost a full curriculum. Mrs Farmer continues to recover at home and Mr Barr (PTC PE) is currently acting up as PTC Health and Wellbeing to support the team. I'd like to thank all the HE staff for their resilience and positive mindset during a really challenging time - they've been completely solution focused to ensure our young people don't miss out.
Attainment Update
As you know, we have been looking at our young people's attainment using the measures of SQA assessments (exams) and our full curriculum offer (including non-exam based subjects) that provide the overall picture of how well we're meeting the needs of our learners. A summary of our overall attainment is below.
National 5 - Second highest number of presentations in Fife.
We continue to be on a par with the National average at National 5.
Higher - Fourth highest number of presentations in Fife.
We are performing 2.5% above National average for Higher results.
Advanced Higher - Third highest number number of presentations in Fife.
We are, again performing above Fife averages for Advanced Higher results.
We continue to see a link between attendance and attainment. Where a young people attends school well, we see improved attainment. Below is an illustration of the average attendance of pupils achieving a grade at National 5 and Higher.
Learning Partnership Review English & Media
As part of our self-evaluation approaches, we recently invited colleagues from outside our school to visit and provide feedback on our work in our English & Media department. This visit included classroom observations, moderation of our internal quality assurance approaches, pupil focus groups and staff focus groups. This helped us get a clearer picture of and build on our improvement approaches to make sure learners continue to have a meaningful, positive and appropriate experience in this department. The feedback is summarised below:
School Ethos: Focus groups reported a high level of visibility of the Headteacher/ Senior Leadership Team/ Middle Leadership which has supported a sense of calm within the school.
Positive Relationships: Our young people spoke warmly about the support they receive from staff. They feel safe, valued, and confident to take risks in their learning.
Staff Commitment: Across the English and Media department are working together with real energy and enthusiasm. There’s a strong sense of shared purpose.
Quality of Learning and Teaching: Most lessons showed strong teaching and good levels of pupil engagement. We’re seeing the impact of this in improved attainment and confidence.
🔍 Where We’re Focusing Next
Personalised Learning: We want to make sure every lesson meets the needs of all learners, with more tailored support and challenge. We'll develop our use of digital technology (using iPads) to support this.
Using Data Well: We’re developing how we use pupil progress data to plan learning that’s more responsive and inclusive.
Lesson Structure: We’re encouraging consistent use of our agreed lesson structure in all classes.
Transforming Learning
Over the last two weeks we have been deploying iPads to all learners. So far we have managed to get over 1500 of the devices to our young people. We will be carrying out some catch-ups next week so please ask young people to keep an eye on their Year Group Teams where this information will be shared.
As with any new technology and approach there will be lots of questions and learning for pupils, staff and parents. We continue to add support information to our website.
One of the functions that we have included in the software that is installed on to each iPad is JAMF Parent. It has the ability to apply parental restrictions for outwith school times. We have pulled together a useful guide that will support you in using this.
Dress Down Day - Friday 10th October (UNICEF)
Our Rights Respecting School's group, led by some of our young people, are hosting a dress down day on the last day of term (Fri 10th Oct). If pupils would like to participate, please remind them to wear blue (the colour associated with UNICEF) and bring/donate a suggested donation of £1. iPayimpact will be set up so you can donate online or cash donations can be dropped off in the morning in the crush hall. Thank you for your support.
Previous meeting minutes are available to read here.
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