Agenda item

(Copy reports attached.)

5.0       JEDBURGH GRAMMAR CAMPUS   

            In Attendance: - Mrs Susan Oliver (Headteacher), Gillian McKenzie (Quality Improvement Officer), and Councillors

WELCOME

            The Chairman welcomed the representatives from Jedbrugh Grammar Campus.  

5.1       HMIe Report

There had been circulated copies of a report on His Majesty’s Inspector of Education (HMIE) Reports for Jedburgh Grammar Campus and Nursery Class and the Improvement Plan developed by the Headteacher to address the key recommendations.  The report explained that Jedbrugh Grammar Campus inspected using a ‘full’ inspection model, which means that 4 key quality indicators were inspected in both the Nursery Class and School over a 5-day period.  The HMIE Report evaluated the Nursery setting and the school provision as good across almost all quality indicators, with one evaluation of very good for the Leadership of change.  The evaluation gradings range given by HMIE on school inspections can range from unsatisfactory to excellent.  A grading of very good indicated there were major strengths in this aspect of the school’s work. Gradings of good indicated there were important strengths with areas for improvement in this aspect of the school’s work. 

5.2       The inspection team had found the following strengths in the school’s work - a)  

            The headteacher’s very strong leadership, supported well by all senior leaders. Together,

they have established a new, purposeful learning community, in which children and young people thrive and achieve successful outcomes; b) Improvements in the nursery. Leaders and practitioners have worked effectively as a team to make positive improvements to the quality of the learning environment and children’s experiences; c) The aspirational ethos across the campus, which is underpinned by well-embedded values and positive relationships. These values help to create a shared sense of purpose that is demonstrated through children and young people engaging well in, and being motivated by, their learning; d) The learning community’s shared understanding of wellbeing, which contributes to most children and young people feeling safe, supported and valued. Children and young people’s wellbeing is strengthened through the effective work of staff and partners; e) Children and young people’s development of important skills for learning, life and work. Young people also achieve consistently positive destinations after school.

5.3       The following areas for improvement were identified a) Continue to improve learning, teaching and assessment across the campus to ensure consistently high-quality learning experiences; b) Provide further opportunities for children and young people to share their views and know that their views have resulted in improvements across the school. This should include further opportunities for them to be involved in decision-making about their individual learning plans; c) Continue to work with partners to develop further the curriculum in the nursery. Senior leaders and staff should also continue to improve attainment across the curriculum, with a clear focus on literacy and numeracy at the primary stages and d) Continue to develop clear, effective systems for monitoring young people’s progress in learning at each stage of the school.

5.4       The Headteacher explained Areas for improvement identified through inspection had been prioritised in the 2023-24 improvement plan and the agile leadership model of improvement planning would be maintained, as this supported action on the key priorities from last session, despite changing needs of children and young people, along with changing capacity across staff team.

5.5       In terms of progress made, it was explained that staff would continue to improve learning, teaching and assessment across the campus to ensure consistently high-quality learning experiences through the continued use of Professional learning model, along with SBC and cluster Learning, Teaching & Assessment frameworks, to support the goal of ensuring consistently high-quality learning experiences. Cluster focus this session was on ensuring pace & challenge. Engagement with #SBCWay this session and embedding thereafter would also support improvements to consistency and quality of learning experiences.  Further opportunities would be provided for children and young people to share their views and know that their views had resulted in improvements across the school. This should include further opportunities for them to be involved in decision-making about their individual learning plans.  Continue to work with partners to develop further the curriculum in the nursery. Senior leaders and staff would also continue to improve attainment across the curriculum, with a clear focus on literacy and numeracy at the primary stages and continue to develop clear, effective systems for monitoring young people’s progress in learning at each stage of the school.

5.6       Although unable to attend Lynsey Graham, Chair of Parent Council had submitted a short statement in which she stated that parents, carers and partners had been delighted with the 2023 SQA results, which were the best results for the school since 2014 – with S4 and S5 pupils setting new records for the number of qualifications achieved.  Holiday revision opportunities and out of hour assistance from teaching staff was much appreciated by both young people and parents/carers.  Following a positive response from parents/carers on the increased use of digital for sharing feedback and updates on children’s progress etc., the school planned to review the current report system and the Parent Council were involved in the review.  The school had created new opportunities which would help to improve attainment and achievement across S3-S6 year groups, with the introduction of National Progression Awards (EG. Modern Agriculture and Mountain Biking) and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme was a timetabled option – subjects/awards which are reflective of the current interests of pupils and are a welcomed addition.  The weekly updates by email from the school/Head teacher were well received and thought to be a great way of communicating with parents/carers and partners.

5.7       Gillian McKenzie, Quality Improvement Officer congratulated Susan and her Team for the positive inspection.  Although the keys were handed over in April 2022, it was not until last session that all covid restrictions were lifted and pupils and staff could move freely about the building.  The staff brought together the secondary school and two primary schools and enhanced provision with a common purpose to improve outcomes for all pupils.  Ms McKenzie highlighted the reshaping of the Nursery space inside and outside and the intergenerational work being undertaken in the garden and stated she had complete confidence in the Headteacher and her Team to continue to improve the outcomes for pupils.

       DECISION

AGREED that: -

(a)   School Improvement Plan for Jedburgh Grammar Campus which                 addressed areas                         for improvement as outlined in the HMIE Inspection Report        (April 2023); and

(b) Quality Improvement Team’s plan for support and showcasing of the work of Jedburgh Grammar Campus following a strong inspection.