External Education Establishment Inspection Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 4 June 2026
Back to Community Services Committee — 4 June 2026 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE EDUCATION SERVICE 4 JUNE 2026 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 March 2026 to June 2026. 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 4 JUNE 2026 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 March 2026 - June 2026. 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. An inspection advice note issued in January 2024 advised that Inspectors intended to strengthen the evidence they gather about relationships and behaviour in schools and settings during inspections notified from week beginning 15 January 2024. This evidence is being gathered in a range of ways, including through an updated child protection and safeguarding evaluation form. In addition to the inspection advice note, schools have been provided with supporting local authority guidance.
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2.4 From September 2025, in inspections of early learning and childcare settings, HMIE use the QIs from the new ‘Quality Improvement Framework for the Early Learning and Childcare Sectors’1. 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 John Logie Baird Primary School and ELC was inspected the week beginning 16th March using a full model inspection. 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 HMIE’s website. 4.2 Castlehill Primary School was inspected the week beginning 27th April using a full model inspection. 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 HMIE’s website. 4.3 Garelochhead Primary School was inspected the week beginning 11th May using a full model inspection. 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 HMIE’s website. 4.4 A review of progress on areas for improvement took place at Tarbert Academy week beginning 20th April. This was a positive review and there will be no requirement for any further engagement from HMIE. The link to the published letter will be provided once made available. 1 Quality Improvement Framework for the Early Learning and Childcare Sectors
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4.5 Notifications for re-inspections have been received for the following schools: • Salen Primary School – week beginning 18th May • Rothesay Joint Campus – week beginning 8th June. The link to the published letters will be accessible when these documents have been finalised and are available on HMIE’s website. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 In summary, currently we have no further published reports available from the period March 2026 – June 2026. 5.2 The Education Service will continue to use the outcomes of establishment inspections to work collaboratively with our Head Teachers to target support and challenge to secure improvement for our children and young people. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 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. 6.2 Financial – None 6.3 Legal – None 6.4 HR – None 6.5 Customer Service – The outcome of establishment inspections of the Education Service of Argyll and Bute Council may significantly enhance or detract from the Council’s reputation and attractiveness as an area to work and live in. 6.6 Risk – Potential reputational risk to the Education Service depending on outcomes of upcoming inspections. 6.7 Climate Change - None 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty: – None 6.9 Equalities - protected characteristics – None 6.10 Consumer Duty – None 6.11 Island Communities - None
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6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Article 28 – I have the right to an education Article 29 – I have the right to an education which develops my personality, talents and abilities Douglas Hendry - Executive Director with responsibility for Education Councillor Kieron Green - Policy Lead for Education Jennifer Crocket Chief Education Officer Head of Education: Wellbeing, Inclusion and Achievement Jennifer.Crocket@argyll-bute.gov.uk Wendy Brownlie Head of Education: Performance and Improvement Wendy.Brownlie@argyll-bute.gov.uk For further information please contact:- Marianne Docherty, Education Officer – Quality Improvement and Scrutiny Marianne.Docherty2@argyll-bute.gov.uk June 2026