External Education Establishment Inspection Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 9 March 2023
Back to Community Services Committee — 9 March 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION 9 MARCH 2023 EXTERNAL EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENT INSPECTION REPORT 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 This report provides details of all external education establishment inspection reports received across Argyll and Bute Education Service during the period November 2022 to January 2023. 1.2 It is recommended that the Community Services Committee notes: a) The contents of this report; b) This quarterly report will be presented on an ongoing basis to the Community Services Committee detailing all establishment inspections conducted and published by Education Scotland within that period, and c) That Ward members will receive copies of school inspection reports for schools within their area as published by Education Scotland.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION 9 MARCH 2023 EXTERNAL EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENT INSPECTION REPORT 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 This report provides details of all external education establishment inspection reports received across Argyll and Bute Education Service during the period November 2022 to January 2023. 2.2 As required for the National Improvement Framework, HMIE report on and provide grades for the following Quality Indicators (QIs) as part of full model inspections (which typically take place over a full school week): QI 1.3 – leadership of change; QI 2.3 – learning, teaching and assessment; QI 3.1 – ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion; and QI 3.2 – raising attainment and achievement In addition they include a focus on the following themes from other QIs: QI 2.2 curriculum: learning pathways QI 2.7 partnerships: parental engagement 2.3 Short model inspections (typically over two and a half days) focus on two QIs: QI 2.3 – learning, teaching and assessment; and QI 3.2 – raising attainment and achievement HMIE continue to have a focus on safeguarding in every inspection. 2.4 In inspections of early learning and childcare settings, HMIE use the equivalent QIs from ‘How Good Is Our Early Learning and Childcare?’
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3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that the Community Services Committee notes: a) The contents of this report; b) This quarterly report will be presented on an ongoing basis to the Community Services Committee detailing all establishment inspections conducted and published by Education Scotland within that period, and c) That Ward members will receive copies of school inspection reports for schools within their area as published by Education Scotland. 4.0 DETAIL – School Inspections 4.1 Furnace Primary School was inspected week beginning 31st October using the short model inspection. The link to the published letter and Summary of Inspection Findings (SIF), was not available for the December Community Services Committee but can now be found below: Reports page | Inspection reports | Education Scotland 4.2 Dalmally Primary School and ELC was inspected week beginning 5th December using the long model inspection. The school received very positive feedback from the Managing Inspector with specific reference to the effective teamwork across the school and ELC which creates a nurturing and caring environment for all children, effective planning in the ELC to meet children’s individual needs and effective planning in school to support learning and teaching in the multi- composite classes. The link to the published letter and Summary of Inspection Findings (SIF) can be found below: Reports page | Inspection reports | Education Scotland 4.3 Lochdonhead Primary School was inspected week beginning 9th January using the long model inspection. The school received very positive feedback from the Managing Inspector with specific reference to the compassionate, articulate, independent children who display an enthusiasm for learning, the highly effective leadership and direction of the headteacher and principal teacher, very high quality teaching and learning provision and, the very well-established, high- quality community and partnership working and its significant impact. The link to the published letter and Summary of Inspection Findings (SIF) will be accessible when these documents have been finalised and are available on Education Scotland’s website.
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4.4 Islay High School was inspected week beginning 16th January using the long model inspection. The school received very positive feedback from the Managing Inspector with specific reference to; senior leaders and staff working well together to develop a caring ethos where young people feel valued and included; the range of useful, individualised feedback young people receive particularly from S3 to S6 which helps them attain well in National Qualifications by the end of S6; the student support team which is highly effective in planning and reviewing young people’s wellbeing needs. As a result young people who require additional support feel included and achieve success in their learning; and, the young people who are keen to learn through Gaelic in a range of situations, achieved through the use of technologies and established partners in the community. The link to the published letter and Summary of Inspection Findings (SIF) will be accessible when these documents have been finalised and are available on Education Scotland’s website. 4.5 Kilmartin Primary School was inspected week beginning 30th January using the short model of inspection. The school received positive feedback from the Managing Inspector with specific reference to the friendly children across the ELC and school who are keen to learn and, the supportive way that the headteacher, school staff, partners and the wider community work together to enrich the curriculum through a variety of experiences. The link to the published letter and Summary of Inspection Findings (SIF) will be accessible when these documents have been finalised and are available on Education Scotland’s website. 4.6 Education Scotland visited St Andrew’s Primary School in November 2019 and, following the visit, published a letter in February 2020 outlining the school’s key strengths and areas for improvement. They published a further update of the school’s progress in December 2021 and requested Argyll and Bute Council provide them with a progress report in December 2022. Following receipt of Argyll and Bute’s progress report and an associated review meeting, Education Scotland have acknowledged the school’s progress and expressed confidence in its capacity to continue to improve. Consequently they will not publish any further reports or make any additional visits in relation to the original inspection visit. A link to Education Scotland’s most recent letter can be found below: St Andrew’s Primary School further inspection, Argyll and Bute Council 13/12/22 (education.gov.scot) 4.7 A summary of all external school inspection audit reports published by Education Scotland across Argyll and Bute Education Service establishments during the period November 2022 to January 2023 is provided in Appendix 1.
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4.8 A summary of the inspection outcomes per establishment detailing strengths and areas for improvement is provided in Appendix 2. 5.0 DETAIL – National Thematic Inspections 5.1 In addition to visits to schools and settings, HMIE will also be carrying out national thematic inspections in the academic year 2022-2023. 5.2 The next phase of the national thematic inspection will focus on curriculum design. HMIE will visit a selection of around 50 settings and schools between 27th February and 23rd June 2023. This will enable them to publish their findings in the format of a national report in the autumn of 2023. The selection of settings and schools will include a geographical spread across Scotland and include Early Learning and Childcare, primary, secondary and special schools. 5.3 Visits to settings and schools will last between one and two days depending on the size of the establishment. At the end of the visit, the lead inspector will provide verbal feedback to the headteacher. Overall findings will be shared through a national report. The link to the published report will be accessible when it is available on Education Scotland’s website. 6.0 CONCLUSION 6.1 In summary, one published report is available for the Inspections which took place during the period of November 2022 to January 2023. 6.2 The Education Service will continue to use the outcomes of establishment inspections to work collaboratively with our Headteachers to target support and challenge to secure improvement for our children and young people. 7.0 IMPLICATIONS 7.1 Policy – The Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000 places a duty on Education Authorities to provide children and young people with school education and (in terms of raising standards) requires Authorities to endeavor to secure improvement in the quality of that school education. 7.2 Financial – None 7.3 Legal – None 7.4 HR – None
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7.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: – None 7.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – None 7.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – None 7.5.3 Islands – None 7.6 Climate Change - None 7.7 Risk – Reputational risk to the Education Service following a weak report. 7.8 Customer Service – The outcome of establishment inspections of the Education Service of Argyll and Bute Council may significantly enhance or 4 detract from the Council’s reputation and attractiveness as an area to work and live in. Douglas Hendry - Executive Director with responsibility for Education Councillor Yvonne McNeilly - Policy Lead for Education Wendy Brownlie Head of Education: Performance and Improvement For further information please contact:- Victoria Quinn, Education Officer Telephone: 01631 567942 Email: Victoria.Quinn@argyll-bute.gov.uk. January 2023 Appendix 1 - Overview of Inspection Outcomes Appendix 2 - Establishment Detail of Inspection Outcomes
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Appendix 1 - Overview of Inspection Outcomes Quality Indicator Leadership of Change Learning, Teaching and Assessment Ensuring Wellbeing, Equality & Inclusion Raising Attainment & Achievement Establishment Sector Date of Inspection 1.3 2.3 3.1 3.2 Furnace Primary School Primary October/November 2022 N/A 4 N/A 3 Dalmally Primary School Primary December 2022 3 4 3 3 Dalmally Primary School ELC December 2022 4 4 4 4 Lochdonhead Primary School Primary December 2022 Not Yet Published Not Yet Published Not Yet Published Not Yet Published Islay High School Secondary December 2022 Not Yet Published Not Yet Published Not Yet Published Not Yet Published Kilmartin Primary School Primary January 2023 Not Yet Published Not Yet Published Not Yet Published Not Yet Published Kilmartin Primary School ELC January 2023 Not Yet Published Not Yet Published Not Yet Published Not Yet Published The Six-point Scale for Inspection Grading Excellent 6 Very Good 5 Good 4 Satisfactory 3 Weak 2 Unsatisfactory 1
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Appendix 2 - Establishment Detail of Inspection Outcomes Report Title: Furnace Primary School Inspection Agency: Education Scotland Key Findings: The inspection team found the following strengths in the school’s work. Children who are polite, welcoming and keen to contribute. They engage well in the calm and inclusive ethos within school and are proud of sharing their learning, along with their local knowledge and interests. Strong leadership provided by the acting headteacher and staff team. The staff team understand the uniqueness of Furnace Primary and are addressing individual needs well. They know the strengths and areas for development well across the school, with clear plans in place for continued improvements. The use of digital technologies by children and staff to enrich learning experiences, including through remote learning activities. The following areas for improvement were identified and discussed with the headteacher and a representative from Argyll and Bute Council. Improve children’s attainment across the curriculum, particularly in writing. Continue to work together closely with parents/carers to support children to achieve maximum success. Continue to enhance opportunities for social interaction with larger groups of children, through working in partnership with the linked school and others. Date of Inspection: October/November 2022 Return Visit: N/A Lead Officer to take forward improvement: Sandra Clarke - Headteacher Central Officer to support improvement: Rosie MacKay – Education Manager
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Appendix 2 - Establishment Detail of Inspection Outcomes Report Title: Dalmally Primary School and Pre Five Unit Inspection Agency: Education Scotland Key Findings: The inspection team found the following strengths in the school’s work. The effective team of staff across the pre five unit and school. Together they ensure all children learn in a caring and nurturing environment. Respectful relationships are evident across the school community. Effective planning in the pre five unit. This ensures children’s individual needs are met. The effective approaches teachers use to plan learning that meets the needs of all children in multicomposite classes. The following areas for improvement were identified and discussed with the headteacher and a representative from Argyll and Bute Council. Increase the pace of change across the school. Ensure improvement priorities are ambitious and lead to improved outcomes for learners. Continue to develop the curriculum to ensure children experience progression, breadth and depth in their learning. Continue to raise attainment in literacy and numeracy with a strong focus on accelerating progress to close the poverty related attainment gap. Date of Inspection: December 2022 Return Visit: N/A Lead Officer to take forward improvement: Lynn Sinclair - Headteacher Central Officer to support improvement: – Simone McAdam - Education Manager