Background Information Sgoil nan Loch is situated in the North Lochs area of Lewis with a catchment area which includes: Ranish, Crossbost, Leurbost and Achmore. The present school roll is 110 consisting of 73 primary age pupils and 37 secondary age pupils. We have 8 full-time members of teaching staff and 9 part-time or itinerant teaching staff. We also have 7 full-time auxiliary staff and 1 full-time classroom assistant. The school has a very supportive School Board and an active PTA.
Statement of school aims
The aims of Sgoil nan Loch are to ensure that all members of the school community:
Develop a positive attitude to teaching and learning and that pupils achieve their full potential academically
Are actively involved in developing our school ethos
Encourage pupils’ personal and social development
Develop communication and links with parents and the wider community
Develop the professionalism of staff
Encourage a concern for the environment
Previous Priorities:
Continue to improve the quality of learning and teaching in order to raise overall attainment further.
Ensure that the entitlement of pupils with special educational needs to a clear and agreed multi-disciplinary statement of their needs is met.
The evidence for this report comes from the following sources:
Analysis of pupils’ progress and attainment
Staff development and review
Evaluation of SDP and the monitoring of it’s progress
Evaluation of department development plans and monitoring progress
Classroom observation – working alongside teachers in the classroom
Questionnaires and surveys
On-going management team links with staff
Sampling pupils’ work
Teachers’ records and long and short term plans
Reviewing school policies on a time-bound cyclical basis
Self evaluation using HGIOS Quality Indicators in a regular and systematic way
Review of curriculum and topics or units within areas of the curriculum
Key Performance outcomes
Pupils in our school make good progress from their prior levels of achievement. The attainment of individuals and groups has improved over time. Our learners are successful, confident, generally exercise responsibility and contribute to the life of the school and wider community. They demonstrate good social skills and have achieved across a range of personal skills, many have achieved within the context of residential experiences.
The budgetary management and financial decisions we have made reflect the needs of our school and learners.
We comply and are engaging continually with the statutory requirements e.g. Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act.
Next steps
To continue to support individual pupils progress from their base line.
Budget accordingly when supporting the increasing needs of individuals and groups.
Keep abreast of statutory requirements and legislation with attention to parental involvement.
Impact on Learners
Almost all of our pupils are motivated and are eager participants in their learning. Staff are engaged in the use of Formative Assessment strategies and techniques when giving feedback on progress and development needs. Pupils are treated equally and with fairness and respect, they feel nurtured, healthy, included and respected.
The parents of our pupils continue to play an active and important role in their children’s learning and development. The give great support and participate well in school events and meetings. Parents, and groups representing parents, engage with us with confidence. Any issues that arise are dealt with quickly and appropriately.
Parents have demonstrated a confidence in the quality of education that we provide and provide us with good feedback on our reporting process. Parents are satisfied with the opportunities they have to contribute to their children’s learning and progress.
Next steps
To ensure that all pupils are motivated and are active participants in their learning.
To further open channels for parents to engage with the school of their participation in their children’s learning.
Impact on staff.
The staff at Sgoil nan Loch are motivated and meaningfully involved in improving the quality of the school. All staff are actively engaged in continuing professional development. Staff work well in teams. Staff are well supported, consulted and have their views taken into account when improvements to the school are considered.
Next steps
There is a need for the structure for career review in Sgoil nan Loch to be reviewed. This to be undertaken by senior staff.
Impact on the community.
Members of the local community are actively involved with our school with a number of the local community visiting the school to contribute to the pupil’s learning. We engage with a number of local businesses, receiving support e.g. sponsored school diaries from one local businessman. The school interacts with the local and wider community who perceive that we take account of its views on aspects such as our school’s reputation, its use as a community resource and the level of community involvement in the life of our school.
We are involved in a number of innovative programmes: Environmental projects which involve the Forestry Commission and the Crofter’s Commission have allowed our pupils to engage with experiences which would normally be outside their reach. Our P5/6 class will represent the school in Inverness in September in a celebration of crafting in Scotland as part of The Highland Year of Culture 2007. We are constantly involved in charitable works bringing home to our pupils the needs of others both locally and in other countries. We adapt our practice to changing needs and as a result are currently investigating the possibility of some of our pupils taking National Qualifications in S2 in courses such as Environmental Resource Management.
Next steps
To investigate the use of “Education Outdoors” and how we can make the best use of our community and environment.
Delivery of education
Our curriculum is designed to promote challenge, enjoyment, breadth and depth, progression, relevance, coherence, personalization and choice in learning for all pupils. The programmes that we use have been adapted over time. Staff believe that they are more relevant to today’s pupils. Our curricular policies are reviewed on a regular basis by teams of staff across the school. We have been working on a pilot with Shetland concerning our Nursery provision and P1/2 class to see if we could adapt our current practice to meet the needs of A Curriculum for Excellence. This involved pupils in P1/2 and the Little Lochies Nursery and all involved staff engaging in work on a project called the Enchanted Forest. This proved to be highly successful and has been filmed. This film and a DVD which has been produced is to be forwarded to the Learning Teaching Scotland website as an example of good practice. We have established excellent liaison between these two group and endeavour to make similar progress at both P7-S1 & S2-S3 transitions. In our S1 classes this year we introduced the notion of classes being set according to the levels of Mathematical ability. This, we found, to be very beneficial to all pupils. There being a very distinct difference between the two classes ability, gave both pupils and staff the opportunity to concentrate their efforts at a level appropriate to their ability. Staff and pupil competence and confidence continues to rise in the use of ICT. All classrooms, with the exception of practical classes, now have interactive whiteboards in place. We review our courses regularly and resource them appropriately, our learning support staff are deployed effectively and we work closely in conjunction with external agencies that provide support for our pupils. Any pupil who requires an individualized learning plan or a co-ordinated support plan has appropriate targets drawn up and parents are involved immediately. Formative Assessment strategies and techniques are employed by staff. Each member of staff knows and responds to individual needs, they support particular aptitudes and build on previous learning. Our assessment procedures are well developed and are stored centrally so as to be easily available for staff. Assessments are discussed and shared with staff to allow for consistency of approach. We use tracking records devised by the authority which have proved to be particularly useful. We moved this session to three face-to-face meetings with parents and one final report. Our parents found this to be most satisfactory as it allowed for real issues to be discussed when they occurred. Our staff set consistently high standards and we work to achieve and maintain them. Our pupils know that we expect the best that they have to offer and almost all pupils attempt to achieve this. Relationships across the school are very positive, founded on the basis of self and mutual respect. Our pupils are well behaved and demonstrate consideration for others. We take steps to engage disaffected learners and their families and would consider this one of our success stories this year. We have a number of vulnerable learners within our school community and we particularly aware of their needs. We have a very good working relationship with the parents of our pupils and engage with them whenever possible, trying to increase the opportunity, not only in reporting terms but also in curricular and support of learning options.
The pupils at Sgoil nan Loch have appropriate access to career information and the school has developed a good working relationship with external agencies that support us. We carry out self-evaluation on a regular basis as a means of taking the school forward. These procedures need to be more robust and as a result the school is taking this on as a major project next session. We are committed to acting on the results of self-evaluation. Our focus will be on continuing improvements to learning and teaching and the achievements of all learners.
Next steps
To scrutinize the curriculum - S1 & S2 to audit relevance and continuity.
To consider setting in Mathematics and Language groups across S1/2.
To continue the improvement of transition arrangements from P7-S1.
To firm up arrangements for self-evaluation to produce a robust system.
Policy Development and planning.
Sgoil nan Loch policies are reviewed on a regular basis. Staff work in teams to review curricular policies and work as a whole staff to review school policies. We consult parents on a regular basis, although this could be improved. Our School Council feeds into our aims and policy decisions. Our school improvement plan comes out of a self-evaluation exercise which involves all staff. It reflects both local and national priorities. We have recognized the need to consult further with our associated school and also to communicate with schools from where pupils come to us as placement requests.
Next steps
In our efforts to fulfill the parental involvement legislation we would wish to involve parents more in policy making decisions.
Further develop links with associated and other schools.
Management and support of staff.
Staff have clear procedures for setting standards of conduct and care and welfare. Staff know their responsibilities and rights and relevant professional codes of conduct. The school provides an effective induction process for any staff entering the school including supply staff. Sgoil nan Loch has had many student teacher placements over the last few years and provides a very good system of support and management. Staff with leadership responsibilities have recently been required to take on extra responsibilities and have carried out their tasks professionally, demonstrating initiative and excellent leadership qualities.
Support staff are deployed effectively to meet learners’ needs and contribute very effectively to the progress of our pupils. The staff approach is collegiate, working effectively as a team. This especially crucial as we have many visiting members of staff. Staff know the lines of communication and use them well. We need to develop alternative lines of communication next session when senior staff are off the premises.
Partnerships and resources.
Financial resourcing arises from the school’s development priorities. Our devolved budgets are made available for all to see. Resourcing is carried out on a centralized basis with individual staff and departments making requests for necessary items. Our accommodation continues to be excellent with pupils displaying a pride in their surroundings. The space within the school grounds is being developed as a major learning area with a “Living Science” area taking shape at the rear of the school. ICT resources are well deployed, with new aspects being used regularly. All teaching classrooms have interactive whiteboards, televisions, videos and DVD players as well as at least two desktop computers. Resources are purchased and housed centrally. The system for replacement is efficient and effective. Security within the school is very good but still requires some refinement. Data handling is carried out sympathetically and tracking information is used to best effect.
Next steps
Continue to establish outside learning environment.
Establish Media group for driving plasma screen.
Leadership
The school has a shared vision, this is in line with local and national priorities. A Curriculum for Excellence will have an impact on our future work and this will become an integral part of the work of Sgoil nan Loch. We strive for continuous improvement with the success and achievements of pupils being central to this drive. We have taken on the management of “Little Lochies” nursery, which is housed within the school. Management responsibilities for this development need to be clearly defined for next session. The staff who have leadership responsibilities demonstrate commitment and support for staff and pupils. We promote a climate where all staff feel able to take on leadership roles whenever necessary or possible. An ethos of teamwork is evident in our school, this has been evident by the situation which has prevailed this session. ACfE will demand change. We are committed to planning and implementing the necessary changes to accommodate this new era in Scottish Education.
Next steps
To organize remits for leadership of Early Level transition & progression.
Set up clear lines of communications when senior staff are off campus.
Other Achievements
We welcomed Ms Trish Earons to teach P3&4 . Throughout the year we had many staff working in the school, either on day supply or longer periods, and as always we thank them all, for the commitment they demonstrate in carrying out their duties. This is also extended to the auxiliary and ancillary staff who contribute so much to our school both in and out of the classroom, but rarely are credited with the recognition they deserve.
Our primary 7 class spent 3 days at the Greannan in Uig, this residential experience was enjoyed by all involved. Our S2 pupils are to spend a week in the capital city, touring Edinburgh, are to be present at First Minister’s Question Time at the Scottish Parliament, as well as seeing many museums and shops.
We planted 7,000 trees (all pupils and staff participated) in the school grounds, erected a second poly tunnel, and are in the process of erecting a wind turbine which will further enhance the educational understanding of renewable energies within the school.
P5/6 are the lead class in a project called “Plant to Plate”. This is a project which is being overseen by the Crofter’s Commission as part of the Highland Year of Culture 2007. The pupils are growing vegetables within our “Living Science” area, also cultivating a local croft and hope to renovate an old black house in future times.
The whole school + associated schools enjoyed a demonstration by the “Flashing, Banging Chemistry Show” in September introducing many pupils to the enjoyment of Chemistry.
We also had a visit for P6-S2 pupils from the Waste Awareness Team.
The school was awarded a Silver award for Enterprise in November in a ceremony in the Woodlands Centre.
We held a very successful Pantomime in December by the name of Shaherazade and discovered many budding talents.
We hosted Livewire Productions who entertained our and other schools with a look at healthy lifestyles. We also hosted a programme for all P6s regarding Road Safety.
The school has taken part in the first two pilot of the GLOW project which is bringing a Scottish Schools Digital Network closer to a reality.
We regularly send competitors to the local Mod with varying degrees of success. We compete in a number of sporting events which included football, basketball, badminton, sports hall athletics, rugby, cross-country and athletics. Our P6-S2 pupils enjoyed the opportunity to go sailing in Holm even though the weather was trying hard to abort our plans! The Scottish Football Association sent some coaches over in May and our P4-7 pupils enjoyed an exciting but exhausting day. In June our P7 visited Stornoway to attend the Choices for Life show. This was thoroughly enjoyed by all and got across a very important message. All of our P6 & P7 pupils were successful when taking their Cycling Proficiency test in June – congratulations to them all. We held our annual prize giving on the second to last day and congratulated the achievements of all those taking part as well as saying a fond farewell and good luck to our departing S2 pupils.
We held a very successful Gala Day at the end of May and welcomed many from our local community and beyond.
We enjoyed an annual visit from a number of visitors from Europe. Teachers, directors of education and others involved in education from about 10 countries spent the morning with us much to the enjoyment of all concerned.
We enjoyed visits this session from Mr Torquil Macleod who gave a talk on Uganda, The Gideons, a talk from Community Education on The Duke of Edinburgh award, A Safety Event which brought over 200 pupils to our school. A Scripture Union group was run by Alison Campbell – the Free Church Youth worker, on a weekly basis. The S2 pupils visited the Lews Castle College for taster sessions of courses and The Nicolson Institute for a course choice day.
We are grateful to Lochs Motor Transport for sponsoring our school diaries this year and thank them for their continuing involvement over the last 2 years.
Strengths of the school
Sgoil nan Loch prides itself on the welcome that we can give to each and every person that comes through our doors. Our goals are to offer the best possible education to our pupils, the best support for parents/carers and the best interaction with our community and external agencies. We believe that with this approach, we will achieve these goals whilst ensuring the workings are transparent. We continue to enjoy the presence of the pre-school group which use the multi-sensory environment and have entered a new phase with the Little Lochies Nursury, both of which enhance the holistic experience of our pupils and staff.
Priorities and Targets for the Coming Session
Impact on Learners & Delivery of Education: 2.2, 5.7
2.2
The school’s success in involving parents, carers and families
The extent to which parents, carers and families are committed to, and actively involved in, the life of the school.
5.7
Partnerships with learners and parents
Engaging parents in their children’s learning and the life of the school
Consulting and communicating with learners and parents
Dialogue with learners and parents about the work of the school
Delivery of Education: 5.1
5.1
The curriculum
The rationale and design of the curriculum
The development of the curriculum
Programmes and courses
Transitions
Delivery of Education: 5.9
5.9
Improvement through self-evaluation
Commitment to self-evaluation
Management of self-evaluation
School improvement
Delivery of Education: 5.4
5.4
Assessment for learning
Assessment approaches
Planning learning experiences and activities
Use of assessment information to identify and plan future learning
