Tiree High School
Argyll and Bute Council · 11 June 2025
Back to Oban Lorn & The Isles Area Committee — 11 June 2025 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL SECONDARY SCHOOL ATTAINMENT REPORT AREA COMMITTEE SCHOOL BADGE Tiree High School
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11th June 2025 Tiree High School and Tiree Primary School serves the island of Tiree providing Gaelic and English Medium Education (GME and EME). There are 110 children and young people on the school roll. Tiree Schools’ educational provision is for children 3-18 years of age. The Nursery provides child care from 2 years old and is part of the 1140 hours pilot programme. There are three CCEW staff that allow provision of English and Gaelic sessions that recognises the value placed on the language by the community of Tiree. The Primary school has two English-medium classes and two Gaelic-medium classes. Pupils are currently split into P1-3 and P4-7 classes for both Gaelic and English streams. For languages L1+2, the classes have (respectively) English and Gaelic as L2 and French for L3. The High School provides courses of study in English, Mathematics, Gaelic, Physics, Chemistry, Computing Studies, Modern Studies, Art, History, Geography, Music, Music Technology, Business Management, Physical Education and Biology. Some of these subjects are delivered to S4, 5 and 6 pupils by VC from Oban High School; biology, modern studies, RME, administration and business studies which has increased the options for subjects that can be studied. In Primary and Secondary BGE, pupils study subjects across all eight curricular areas up to the end of S3. From this point, pupils choose seven subjects to progress to SQA certification at the end of S4. In S5/6, pupils will be expected to undertake 5 subjects. The current roll of the Secondary school is 46 pupils. The pupils all come under SIMD decile 5. Our PEF funding has been used to support initiatives which include studying techniques and emotional well-being, as well as the appointment of a part time FLO. Tiree Schools' staffing comprises 14 teachers with 5 in Primary and 9 in Secondary, some of whom work part-time. In addition, learning in the Nursery is provided by 3 Pre-5 staff. Additional support comes from an IT technician and 4 classroom/ASN assistants. Our young people make an impressive contribution to the wider life of the school community and are encouraged to take on leadership roles throughout the school. Leadership activities include involvement in the Senior Pupil Leadership Team (SPLT) in leading House Assemblies; leading the Pupil Parliament; running charity events; school events and representing the school at civic events. The pupils were and continue to be co-authors of our curriculum. The SPLT lead groups of prefects on a weekly basis but also co-opt other pupils from across the school on an on-going basis.
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Section 1 S3 ACEL Attainment in Literacy and Numeracy School Level % Achieved Reading Writing L&T Literacy Numeracy Tiree High School Third Level or better 100 100 100 100 100 Argyll & Bute Third Level or better 91.9 87.5 89.8 86.3 92.1 Tiree High School Fourth Level 85.7 71.4 85.7 57.1 100 Argyll & Bute Fourth Level 67.2 65.6 69.6 64.1 64.4 S3 ACEL – Gaelic (if applicable) School Level % Achieved Gaelic Reading Gaelic Writing Gaelic L&T Tiree High School Third Level or better 50 50 50
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Tiree High School Fourth Level 0 0 0 Evaluative Comment – Areas of Strength in BGE Attainment: Tiree High School across Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening and Numeracy is above all local averages. This particular cohort consists of 14 pupils. Support is in place for 4 of the pupils around accessing learning and assessments due to diagnosis of dyslexia and/or dyscalculia. Support for these pupils was identified by Tiree Primary School and consistent support has been in place for them going forward into their S4 year. Evaluative Comment – Areas for Development in BGE Attainment: In English/Literacy we are ensuring effective use of ICT is being made, use of reader/scribe where appropriate, paper colour suitable for each specific pupil in order to support their dyslexia. Additionally, personal reading has been introduced at the start of each lesson to help improve reading skills. Texts have been carefully selected to reflect the interest of the pupils. Marking of work part way through to enable improvement on the rest of the task (eg, teacher feedback after one or two essay paragraphs so students can use feedback for the last two paragraphs), More consistent writing of levels in jotters so pupils know where they are after each extended task (marking first draft of essay and putting a level 3 and where they are in that level) so that pupils know exactly where they are. In Mathematics/Numeracy a revised Scheme of Work has been implemented in order to support progress, attainment and engagement. There is classroom support where required and the class teacher also gives 1:1 support. Lunch time revision classes have been introduced along with Easter revision sessions too. Pupils are tracked and monitored closely with appropriate support and interventions put in place in a timely manner. The use of the support systems in school via the PT Guidance and the Family Liaison Officer are utilised and good relationships with parents have been established.
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Section 2 National Qualifications 2024 – Percentage of Awards – A-C and A-D
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*No Tiree pupils were presented for Advanced Higher awards, as such, the Tiree High School columns are blank rather than 0%.
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Evaluative Comment – Areas of Strength We follow a positive presentation policy deliberately ensuring that as many pupils as possible are presented for as many courses/levels as possible. Whilst affording our pupils this opportunity it can lead to the percentage pass rates to be, in some cases, adversely affected, impacted further by our small cohort of pupils in each of the year groups. We feel that pupils who are for example borderline in National 5 should be given the opportunity to sit the assessments in order to achieve to their fullest potential. We achieved excellent results at both National 5 and Higher level last year, above both the Argyll and Bute and the National averages at both levels. This is a 35% increase from last year at National 5 level and a 50% increase from last year at Higher level. Evaluative Comment – Areas for Development We will continue to encourage all pupils to reach their full potential in Tiree high School. Section 3 Insight Data What is Insight Scotland? Insight is a professional tool, aimed at teachers and other staff. It is used to help secondary schools and local authorities identify areas of success and where improvements can be made for pupils in the senior phase. The dashboard has four measures: • Improving Attainment in Literacy and Numeracy (presented below as separate Literacy and Numeracy graphs) • Increasing Post-School Participation • Improving Attainment for All • Attainment Versus Deprivation The school’s data below is compared to what is termed The Virtual Comparator. The virtual comparator consists of a sample group of school leavers from schools in other local authorities who have similar characteristics to the school leavers from the school in question. This allows the most accurate and meaningful comparison of attainment data.
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3a Improving Attainment in Literacy and Numeracy The measures below are for leavers only. There were no school leavers in the 23/24 cohort, meaning no data is available for 2024 leavers. The visuals below provide an overview of literacy and numeracy data that does exist for Tiree.
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S4 Literacy and Numeracy 2024
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Evaluative Comment – Areas of Strength Attainment in Literacy and Numeracy at level 4 is 100%.
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Evaluative Comment – Areas for Development Continue to aim for 100% in all areas of Numeracy and Literacy 3b Increased post-school participation There were no school leavers in the 23/24 cohort, meaning no data is available for 2024 leavers. The visuals below provide an overview of initial destinations data that does exist for Tiree.
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Evaluative Comment – Areas of Strength All pupils historically achieve a positive destination. This continues to be a focus in Tiree high School. Evaluative Comment – Areas for Development
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Continue to aim for 100% positive destinations. 3c Improving attainment for all No leavers data is available for this measure. The data below explores the performance of S4 pupils in terms of total tariff points at the end of S4:
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*Note that the cohort is only 5 pupils, so the lowest and highest 20% of pupils are individual pupils whilst the middle 60% is 3 pupils. Evaluative Comment – Areas of Strength
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Pupils in the Lowest 20% and the middle 60% achieved well above all comparators. The Highest 20% were above the Virtual Comparator and slightly below the Argyll and Bute and National Comparators. Evaluative Comment – Areas for Development Continue to encourage pupils to achieve the best grades they can. 3d Attainment versus Deprivation No data is available for this measure as there were no leavers in 2024 and not a big enough sample for Insight to complete analysis on any other stage. Evaluative Comment – Areas of Strength No data available Evaluative Comment – Areas for Development No data available Section 4 Wider Achievement Qualifications
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National Certificates; Higher National Certificates; Scottish Vocational Qualifications; National Progression Awards; Skills for Work qualifications; Foundation Apprenticeships; Scottish Baccalaureate Overall evaluative comment/narrative on Wider Achievement Qualifications in your school: Our Senior pupils continue to be given the opportunity to attain an award in: Scottish Studies, Employability, Customer Services, Mental Health & Wellbeing and Leadesrship, ranging from Level 4 to Level 6. Our pupils worked with ‘The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI)’. This is a powerful active citizenship programme, empowering young people to make a difference in their communities while developing a range of skills. The pupils competed for a £3000 donation to be given to their chosen charity. The winning team secured this money for the Solar, a service that provides food and household essential to the community of Tiree.
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Section 5 Equity and Attainment – Evaluation of Key Factors Factor in attainment Attendance School Ave. Att. 23-24: 89.2% (87.3% in Argyll and Bute) Persistent Absence: 41% (45% in Argyll and Bute) This is an increase of 2.5% on the previous year. In Tiree High School 1 pupil accounts for 2.7% of our High School population so the % change can be affected by a single event or pupil. Actions • Continue with ANA strategies • Outside agencies employed where appropriate • Family Liaison Officer support • Child Plans in place where appropriate • PT Guidance support • Continued weekly 1:1 attendance conversation in House time with pupils House teachers Exclusion No. of Exclusion Incidents 23-24: 0 No. of Exclusion Openings 23-24: 0 Actions • Continue to embed our Relationship Policy which has been a key driver in nurturing and strengthening relationships pupil:pupil, staff: pupil and teacher:parent. • When appropriate: early intervention and appropriate support put in place via House Teachers, PT Guidance and FLO
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Additional Support Needs Census 2023: 51% (40% in Argyll and Bute) This is a very high proportion of our pupils with ASN needs. This reflects Stage 3, 2 and 1. However, there are pupils with support needs outwith this - sometimes on a temporary basis including wellbeing concerns that affect learning. Actions • We have a robust system in place which identifies and continually monitors pupils' support needs. Teachers feedback to PT Support in order to adjust support strategies and any changes in support required. This will be continued. • Continued CPD opportunities to support teachers to support pupils with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADS etc. • Continue to ensure ASN assistants are offered appropriate CPD • Keep all Learner profiles up to date and in form all involved with the pupil of any changes. • Liaise with outside agencies when appropriate including SALT, Educational Psychologist, OH etc. • Continue to work in partnership with parents/carers. SIMD Census 2023: 0% in Deciles 1-3 (18% in Argyll and Bute) D5 – 100% The entire Isle of Tiree is in the SIMD D5 category. This masks the identified poverty on the island and consequently within the school population. The cost of living on the Isle of Tiree is considerably higher than on the mainland and the cost of living crisis has hit hard. There is also help with food and essentials via a ‘Food Bank’. Actions
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• Continue to send out all information regarding grants and payments available to families via messenger 5 ensuring the information reaches all parents. This included information about accessing free school meals and the clothing grant. • Continue to use our PEF money to fund our Family Liaison Officer who supports families to access funding/grants when required Free School Meal Entitlement Census 2023: 5% (14% in Argyll and Bute) We feel this figure does not reflect the percentage of pupils who could be entitled to free school meals. There is a huge amount of pride on the island and there is privacy over financial matters. This has meant some of our families have either not applied or are reluctant to do so. Actions • FLO to continue to make families aware of FSM and support families to complete applications. • The cashless catering systems means that no pupils pay at the tills so pupils on FSM cannot in any way be identified. This may encourage families to apply for FSM. Care Experienced (and previously Care Experienced) Census 2023: 2.7% (1 pupil) • Supported provided to the pupil and their family via PT Guidance and our FLO • Robust Childs Plan in place with several of our partners involved English as Additional Language Census 2023: 0% Other (give details) 100% Remote Rural Areas (SG 6-fold Urban-Rural Classification)
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Pupil Equity Funding Impact of PEF on closing the attainment gap PEF used to continue to finance a FLO within Tiree. This enables us to provide timely interventions in various situations, attendance, health, nutrition, mental health etc. This continued individualised support on Tiree not only provides a service to the pupils but to the families of the island to make sure they are accessing everything they can to provide the best opportunities for their child. Section 6 Other information Add good news etc.
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Tiree high School has had 2 vacancies since December 2024. Both posts will be filled by August 2025. One by a FT permanent Business Studies/Administration teacher and the other by a Home Economics probationer. This enables Tiree High to increase the number of subjects on offer to pupils allowing them to follow their passions.