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Primary School Report 2022-23 - Helensburgh and Lomond Area

Argyll and Bute Council · 13 June 2023
Back to Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee — 13 June 2023 and its agenda

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Argyll and Bute Council 2022 - 2023    
OUR CHILDREN…
THEIR FUTURE…
Education Service 
Primary Area Attainment Report:  
Helensburgh and Lomond (HALCO)

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Introduction 
Within the Helensburgh and Lomond area there are 12 Primary Schools, with nursery
provision provided within several of these schools. There is secondary school provision in
Hermitage Academy for the Helensburgh and Lomond area. Our primary school rolls for the
area vary considerably ranging from 11 pupils at Luss Primary School to 371 at Hermitage
Primary School. 
This report provides a range of key information about school provision during the school
session August 2022 to June 2023 and reports the National collection of attainment and
achievement data from June 2022. 
Additional and more detailed information about each school can be found in the schools’
Standards and Quality Reports.  In addition each school’s Improvement Plan outlines their main
priorities for improvement.  Most schools have an active website where these documents can
be accessed and further links or information can be obtained from the Head Teacher.

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Helensburgh and Lomond School Profile 2022-2023
Cluster Primary Schools 18/19 19/20 20/21 21/22 22/23
%
change
in Roll
over 5
years1
Arrochar Primary School 60 65 60 54 49 -18%
Cardross Primary School 169 163 162 174 173 +2%
Colgrain Primary School 303 314 302 273 257 -15%
Garelochhead Primary School 119 123 112 121 107 -10%
Hermitage Primary School 377 385 374 370 371 -1.5%
John Logie Baird Primary School 148 135 116 108 103 -30%
Kilcreggan Primary School 83 82 81 86 85 +2%
Luss Primary School 8 9 10 12 11 +37.5%
Parklands School (P1-P7) 12 10 12 19 23 +75%
Rhu Primary School 214 212 200 190 171 -20%
Rosneath Primary School 83 87 81 80 80 -3%
St Joseph’s Primary School 172 163 161 147 136 -21%
Total Roll for cluster 1761 1748 1671 1634 1566 -11% 
* Data for rolls provided at Census each year 
1 Please note the % change in Roll over 5 years shows the percentage change in roll figures from 2018/19 to 2022/23
and is not an average. 
SIMD Profile 
SIMD is the Scottish Government's standard approach to identify areas of multiple deprivation in
Scotland, with SIMD 1 indicating areas of highest deprivation and SIMD 10 indicating the least
deprived.  It can help improve understanding about the outcomes and circumstances of people
living in the most deprived areas in Scotland. It can also allow effective targeting of policies and
funding where the aim is to wholly or partly tackle or take account of area concentrations of
multiple deprivation.   
Table shows number of pupils at each SIMD level in each area of Argyll and Bute. 
Area 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Unkn
own TOTAL
Bute and
Cowal 186 159 233 108 255 219 32   17   20 1229
HALCO 40 83 105 50 130 223 274 352 192 138 33 1620
MAKI   84 115 137 128 568 301     1 4 1338
OLI 18   5 166 389 236 408 107     92 1421
Total 244 326 458 461 902 1246 1015 459 209 139 149 5608 
* SIMD data from March 2023

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Footwear and Clothing Grant and Free School Meal Information for AREA 
 Clothing and Footwear Grant (CFG) is not shown as a National Average as each authority set
their own criteria and therefore cannot be compared accurately. Please note that 2022-20223
data for CFG and Free School Meals (FSM) is to date (end February 2023) and therefore may
change as the year progresses. 
 In January 2022, the Scottish Government launched the extension of free school meal universal
eligibility to include all children in primary 1-5. The above figures only show those pupils in P6
and P7. 
 In August 2021 the Scottish Government introduced a School clothing grant minimum for all
authorities set at £120 for Primary pupils and £150 for Secondary pupils. 
 During session 2020/21 the Scottish Government introduced ‘Bridging’ payments of £130 per
pupil in receipt of FSM under the National criteria (this excludes anyone eligible who receive
FSM in P1 to P6 who do not qualify financially). These payments are made 4 times per year
(Easter, Summer, October and Christmas).Further information can be found at Scottish Child
Payment Bridging Payments - mygov.scot.  In addition to this anyone eligible for these
payments have been paid a FSM payment during the school holiday period. Further information
School meals - mygov.scot

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Exclusion and Attendance Information for AREA
 Authorised absence includes bereavement, short – term exceptional domestic situations,
religious observance, weddings of immediate family. Unauthorised absence includes truancy,
unexplained absence and most family holidays during term time. Attendance and absence is
outlined in Management Circular 3.03. 
 During 2020/21 there were additional attendance codes added for COVID. These codes can
count as attendance, authorised absence or unauthorised absence depending on the
circumstance. 
 Please note that attendance data for 2022/23 is up to 28 February and not a complete year. It
is therefore subject to change. 
 Please note that exclusion data for 2022/23 is up to 28 February and not a complete year. It is
therefore subject to change.

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Additional Support Needs 
Table below indicates the numbers of pupils identified as having Additional Support needs across
the Helensburgh and Lomond area at each stage of primary schools. 
Care Experienced Children and Young People
A virtual Head Teacher took up post in April 2023. The core purpose of the role of the Virtual Head
Teacher is to be relentless in driving improvements in the educational progress and
attainment/achievement of an identified group of young people, including Care Experienced,
across Argyll and Bute. The core function of the Virtual Head Teacher in terms of planning is to
ensure that all children have access to appropriate and timely support achieved by collaborating
with relevant professionals to ensure plans are of a high quality, with impact and outcomes
followed up.
The table below shows the numbers of care experienced children in our primary schools across
each area of the Council. 
Area Previously looked
after
Looked after at
home
Looked after
away from
home. 
Total
HALCO 14 4 11 29
OLI 13 2 5 20
MAKI 21 8 5 34
B&C 21 12 23 56

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Attainment of Curriculum for Excellence Levels over time
Curriculum levels are national levels to describe different stages of learning and progress. For
most children the expectation is:       
Throughout the Broad General Education, children and young people are assessed and decisions
are made by teachers on when a child or young person has achieved learning at a particular level.
This means that they have broadly covered the experiences and achieved the expected outcomes
for that level. In making this decision, the teacher takes into account the evidence mentioned
above, and considers the benchmarks produced by Education Scotland for each level as well as
diagnostic feedback from the National Standardised Assessments (NSAs). Attainment of
Curriculum for Excellence Levels (ACEL) data is collected annually each June by the Scottish
Government. The data collection collects information on pupil performance in four areas, known as
organisers. Organisers consist of Numeracy and the three literacy components; Reading, Writing
and Listening and Talking. A combined literacy measure is also produced based on the three
literacy organisers: reading, writing and listening and talking. The data is collected for pupils at the
key stages of P1, P4,P7 and S3. 
Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels across HALCO schools: June 2017-June 2022 
NOTES:
ER English reading, EW English writing, ELT English Listening and talking N Numeracy
GR Gaelic reading, GW Gaelic writing, GLT Gaelic Listening and talking.
There was no ACEL collection during session 2019/20 due to COVID

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 HALCO area is consistently performing above the Local Authority average
 By June 2022: 
 In reading, 83.60% of P1 pupils in the HALCO area achieved early level, this is
compared with 75% at authority level and 79% nationally
 In writing, 80.95% of P1 pupils in the HALCO area achieved early level, this is
compared with 68% at authority level and 77% nationally
 In talking and listening, 90.48% of P1 pupils in the HALCO area achieved early
level, this is compared with 81% at authority level and 86% nationally. 
 In numeracy, 88.36% of P1 pupils in the HALCO area achieved early level, this is
compared with 78% at authority level and 84% nationally. 
 In reading, 79.24% of P4 pupils in the HALCO area achieved first level, this is
compared with 71% at authority level and 76% nationally
 In writing, 72.03% of P4 pupils in the HALCO area achieved first level, this is
compared with 61% at authority level and 70% nationally
 In talking and listening, 83.47% of P4 pupils in the HALCO area achieved first level,
this is compared with 78% at authority level and 85% nationally. 
 In numeracy, 75% of P4 pupils in the HALCO area achieved first level, this is
compared with 65% at authority level and 75% nationally. 
 In reading, 82.66% of P7 pupils in the HALCO area achieved second level, this is
compared with 74% at authority level and 79.33% nationally
 In writing, 77.12% of P7 pupils in the HALCO area achieved second level, this is
compared with 67% at authority level and 73% nationally
 In talking and listening, 87.08% of P7 pupils in the HALCO area achieved second
level, this is compared with 82% at authority level and 86% nationally. 
 In numeracy, 80.81% of P7 pupils in the HALCO area achieved second level, this
is compared with 65% at authority level and 76% nationally. 
Argyll and Bute Stretch Aims Session 2022-23 (Authority Level)
The Scottish Attainment Challenge (SAC) is about achieving equity in educational outcomes, with
a particular focus on closing the poverty-related attainment gap.  SAC funding is provided to all of
Scotland’s local authorities to help tackle the attainment gap and support education recovery and
improve outcomes for children and young people most impacted by poverty. The Scottish
Attainment Challenge aims to raise the attainment of children and young people living in deprived
areas, in order to close the equity gap.
Attainment Advisors within Education Scotland’s regional improvement teams work with authorities
to identify core attainment measures and specific aims (Stretch Aims) which, informed by local
evidence and data, are identified as local priority areas for improvement. The stretch aims are
intended to be both ambitious and achievable within local contexts and targets are specific to
individual authorities. Progress towards achieving the current stretch aims will be reported on later
in 2023. 
The Stretch Aims are intended to support recovery from the pandemic and accelerate progress in
closing the attainment gap and include:
 Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels (literacy P1/4/7 combined and
numeracy P1/4/7 combined)
The stretch aims for literacy and numeracy identify the percentage of young people who achieve
their expected Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) level:

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 An overall attainment target, which includes all young people 
 An attainment target for young people who live in the most deprived areas (SIMD quintile 1)
 An attainment target for young people who live in the  least deprived areas (SIMD quintile
5)
 A target to reduce the attainment gap between the most and least deprived young people 
The Argyll & Bute literacy and numeracy tables illustrate the progress from the 2021 ‘post
pandemic’ ACEL collection, through the most recent ACEL collection in 2022 (published
December 2022), to the Stretch Aim targets in place for 2023.
The year-on-year trend in ACEL data has been positive; in the two-year period between 2021 and
2022  the overall proportions of primary school pupils achieving the expected levels in literacy had
increased by 3 percentage points, while in numeracy there had been an increase of 4 percentage
points.
The percentage of Quintile 1 (most deprived) young people who achieved their expected CfE level
has increased by 5% in literacy and 10% in numeracy between 2021 and 2022. 
Scottish Attainment Challenge - Stretch Aim 2023: Literacy 
In literacy, the attainment gap between young people from the most and least deprived areas of
Argyll & Bute was 33 percentage points in 2021, and by 2022 this narrowed to 27 percentage
points.  Argyll & Bute’s target is to reduce the attainment gap to 21.5 percentage points by 2023. 
Literacy                P1/4/7
combined                Dec 22
update
Overall SIMD Q1 SIMD Q5 GAP (Q1-Q5)
ACEL 2021 59% 48% 81% 33pp
2022 ACEL          (published
Dec 22)
62% 53% 80% 27pp
Stretch Aims 2022/23 68.4% 60% 81.5% 21.5pp
Improvement Target (p.p.
2021-2023)
9.4pp 12pp 0.5pp 11.5pp 
Literacy 
P1/4/7 combined Overall SIMD Q1 SIMD Q5 Gap (Q1-Q5)
ACEL June 2021 59% 48% 81% 33pp
Provisional 2022 ACEL data 62.2% 54.8% 79.2% 24.4pp
OCT 22 Projections 62.5% 63.7% 77.8% 14.1%
Feb 23 Projections* 65.7% 68.6% 77.8% 9.2%
Stretch Aim   2022/23         68.4% 60% 81.5% 21.5pp
Improvement Target (p.p.
2021-2023) 9.4pp 12pp 0.5pp 11.5pp
*RAG’d against 2023 Stretch Aim

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In literacy, the attainment gap between young people from the most and least deprived areas of
Argyll & Bute was 33 percentage points in 2021, and by 2022 this narrowed to 27 percentage
points.  Argyll & Bute’s target is to reduce the attainment gap to 21.5 percentage points by 2023. 
Scottish Attainment Challenge - Stretch Aims 2023: Numeracy 
In numeracy, the attainment gap between young people from the most and least deprived areas of
Argyll & Bute was 29 percentage points in 2021, and by 2022 this narrowed to 18 percentage
points.  Argyll & Bute’s target is to reduce the attainment gap to 13.5 percentage points by 2023. 
Numeracy 
P1/4/7 combined
Dec 22 update
Overall SIMD Q1 SIMD Q5 GAP (Q1-Q5)
ACEL 2021 69% 58% 87% 29pp
2022 ACEL            
(published Dec 22)
73% 68% 86% 18pp
Stretch Aims    2022/23 75% 74% 87.5% 13.5pp
Improvement Target  
(p.p. 2021-2023)
6pp 16pp 0.5pp 15.5pp 
Numeracy P1/4/7 Overall SIMD Q1 SIMD Q5 GAP (Q1-Q5)
Current Level (ACEL June
2021) 69% 58% 87% 29pp
Provisional 2022 ACEL data 72% 69% 83.5% 14.4%
OCT 22 Projections 69% 69.6% 84.2% 14.6%
Feb 23 Projections* 71% 72% 83.9% 11.9%
Stretch Aim   2022/23          75% 74% 87.5% 13.5pp
Improvement Target (p.p.
2021-2023)  6pp 16pp 0.5pp 15.5pp
*RAG’d against 2023 Stretch Aim

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The table below outlines the National expectations of when most children and young people may
achieve each level: 
CfE Level  Stage 
Early The final two years of early learning and
childcare before a child goes to school and
P1, or later for some. 
First To the end of P4, but earlier or later for
some. 
Second To the end of P7, but earlier or later for
some. 
Third and fourth S1-S3, but earlier or later for some. 
Further information: 
National Improvement Framework for Scottish Education –
https://www.gov.scot/policies/schools/national-improvement-framework/

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Initiatives to raise attainment and achievement 
In response to data and evidence gathered in the areas of literacy, numeracy and health and
wellbeing, a range of work has been undertaken in order to drive forward improvement and raise
attainment and achievement across the authority. 
Literacy
 8 schools have undertaken training in using a Quality Improvement approach to support writing
attainment at 1st level. The training was originally offered by CYPIC and is now being delivered
within the authority, supported by allied health professionals. Data shows that attainment at 1st
level within the first set of schools to undertake the training has increased from an average of
56.2% in 2022 to an average of 72.8% based on Feb 23 predictions. 
 4 schools are undertaking training provided by Talk for Writing to support the development of
sound pedagogical approaches to writing across their settings. The schools have set clear
stretch aims for each class, against which attainment will be evaluated as implementation of
the approach continues. 
 Bespoke support has been offered to schools, covering aspects of literacy such as approaches
to reading comprehension, writing pedagogy, emerging literacy and 1 to 1 reading
interventions. 
Numeracy
 Schools within HALCO and Mull clusters have worked with Dr Lio Moscardini to develop
cognitively guided instruction, an approach to problem solving within schools. As of March
2023, 73.3% of staff were confident that CGI was having or would have a positive effect on
pupils, 13.3% were extremely confident. Evidence from Head Teachers and practitioners
shows that this approach has had a particular impact on lower ability pupils: by giving pupils
different opportunities to approach their work, practitioners report that it has levelled the playing
field in classrooms.
 Authority-wide, numeracy based CLPL has been delivered to a total of 78 practitioners
representing all cluster areas, focusing primarily on the development of SEAL (stages of early
arithmetical learning) to support foundation skills in mathematical thinking. Support has also
been offered to ASN departments in 2 secondary schools. Numeracy ACEL attainment data
has risen from 69% across P1,4 & 7 in 2021 to a projected 70.95% as of Feb 23. 
Wellbeing , Rights and Relationships
As part of COVID renewal plans, schools have had a continued focus on positive relationships
focussing and the health and well-being of learners.  The Exchange are now providing a
counselling service for pupils aged 10+ within schools, again, this is helping to support the
wellbeing needs of pupils.  A focus on play pedagogy and outdoor learning alongside
developments in the health and wellbeing curriculum have also been an important focus within
school improvement plans to help support wellbeing. 
As it is anticipated that the United Nations Rights of the Child will become law later this year, a
UNCRC Conference for Head Teachers was held in November 2022.  The Rights Respecting
Schools Award continues to support schools in developing awareness of children’s rights across
our school communities as well as imbed a rights based approach within the school environment. 
In the past year, 16 schools have progressed their Rights Respecting Schools Journey.  With 45
Primary schools on their accreditation journey to achieve with UNICEF, 31 have achieved Bronze,
10 Silver, 4 Gold and a further 11 have registered to date.  A further 4 Silver accreditation visits
are due to take place between now and the end of term.  Support sessions for registered schools

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(not yet accredited) and information session for schools yet to register are also being delivered.   
Equality and diversity has been a key focus for professional learning for staff. The career long
professional learning sway has provided a range of opportunities for staff to develop their
professional knowledge and reflect on the practice within this area.  As part of the Period Products
(Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021, schools have engaged in the My Tribe project which has
made period products available to pupils and staff across all our schools.  The launch of My Tribe
has been supported by two launch events and online webinars.  The webinar was recorded and
shared with practitioners to ensure that information was accessible post this series of support
events.   
Schools have enjoyed welcoming partners back into school to support the delivery of key aspects
of the curriculum.  The health and wellbeing drama productions that are delivered in partnership
with our colleagues in NHS returned to face to face delivery.  A total of 54 primary schools
attended the Smoke Free Me production that was aimed at P6/P7 pupils.  The performance was
updated to include information and scenarios around vaping.   
Head Teachers have received information with regards to key messages that have been
concluded from the March 2022 PIE Census.  With the updated national data released in
November, we were also able to draw comparisons against the national data.  Developments in
this area have been enhanced with professional learning from Connect who support the
partnership between parents/carers, parent councils and schools.  Schools and parent councils
are responding to the needs of their community in how they are structuring events and meetings
with many Parent Council meetings continuing to take place virtually, increasing accessibility and
reducing travel requirements.  The partnership working is also helping school communities
respond to financial and environmental pressures with examples of good practice including
Christmas jumper/dress swaps.

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School Contacts 
SCHOOL HEAD
TEACHER
ADDRESS WEBSITE
Arrochar Primary
School
Ali MacGillivray
(Acting until June
30th 2023)
Lisa Corr (from
August 2023)
Arrochar Primary,
Tarbet, Arrochar,
G83 7DG 01301
702261
http://www.arrochar.argyll‐bute.sch.uk
Cardross Primary
School 
Kelly Girling Cardross Primary,
Kirkton Road, 
Cardross, G82 5PN
01389 841433
http://www.cardross.argyll-bute.sch.uk 
Colgrain Primary
School
Pauline Walsh Colgrain Primary,
Redgauntlet Road,
Helensburgh, G84
7TZ 
01436 673557
http://www.colgrain.argyll‐bute.sch.uk
Garelochhead
Primary
School
Maria McArthur Garelochhead Primary
Garelochhead, 
G84 0DG 
01436 810322
http://www.garelochhead.argyll‐
bute.sch.uk
Hermitage Primary
School
Marianne
Docherty
(Acting)
Hermitage Primary,
Argyle Street East,
Helensburgh, 
G84 7EW
01436 672949
http://www.hermitage.argyll‐bute.sch.uk
John Logie
Baird Primary
School
Carolyn Randall John Logie Baird
Primary Winston
Road,
Helensburgh, G84  
01436 674001 
9EP 01436
674001
http://www.johnlogiebaird.argyll‐
bute.sch.uk
Kilcreggan Primary
School
Allison Smith Kilcreggan Primary,
School Road,
Kilcreggan,  
G84 0HT
01436 842109
http://www.kilcreggan.argyll‐bute.sch.uk
Luss Primary
School
Gemma
Houston
(Acting)
Luss Primary,
Luss,
By Alexandria, G83 8NY
01436 860244
http://www.luss.argyll‐bute.sch.uk
Parklands School Gwen Gilmour Parklands, 
27 Charlotte
Street,
Helensburgh, G84 7EZ
01436 673714
http://www.parklands.argyll‐bute.sch.uk
Rhu Primary
School
Linda MacBeath Rhu Primary
School Road,
Rhu, G84 8RS
01436 820316
http://www.rhu.argyll‐bute.sch.uk

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Rosneath Primary
School 
Emma McDermid
(until 30th June
2023)
Rosneath Primary,
Rosneath, G84 0RJ
01436 831354
http://www.rosneath.argyll‐bute.gov.uk
St Joseph’s
Primary
School
Michelle Collins
(until 30th June
2023)
St Joseph’s Primary,
Old Luss Road,
Helensburgh, 
G84 7LR 
01436 671748
http://www.st‐josephs.argyll‐bute.sch.uk