Standards And Quality
Standards & Quality Report – Sgoil nan Loch session 2008-2009
Session 2008-2009 is the 8th for Sgoil nan Loch. Our school 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 109 consisting of 69 primary age pupils and 40 secondary age pupils. Little Lochies Nursery is also situated in the school and accommodates children from 21/2 -5. We have 9 full-time members of teaching staff and 9 part-time or itinerant teaching staff. We also have 5 full-time auxiliary staff and 1 full-time classroom assistant, 4 cleaners, 3 kitchen staff, a janitor, a school secretary, a nursery leader and an assistant. The school has a very supportive and active Parent Council and Forum.
Improvements in Performance: (4)
The priorities in our SIP have had a measureable impact on raising the achievement and attainment levels of our learners and the way in which the school works and interacts with parents/carers and external agencies as well as with the community. Our attainment trends compare well with similar schools and with national levels of attainment. Pupils at risk of missing out are well catered for. Our pupils have had the opportunity to develop skills in enterprise education, taking account of local, national and international perspectives. Personal and social education has been developed well across the school through a number of appropriate activities and assemblies. Our itinerant staff have ensured that pupils have experienced a range of good quality lessons in Art & Design, P.E., Home Economics, Technical Education and Music. Our staff keep useful records of pupils’ work and we have attainment profiles in place. Pupils achievements are recognised and celebrated through wall displays and at assemblies. A wide range of teaching strategies are employed, including ICT, to motivate pupils. Almost all pupils are well behaved and most are motivated to work in class. Our pupils participate in a number of activities that enable them to develop a variety of skills in different contexts and settings, eg residential experiences, swimming, music tuition, Burns Supper, Gala days and school productions. All of our pupils are making good progress in developing their confidence and self-esteem. Through the Pupil Council our pupils are able to express their views on a wide range of issues. All of our pupils have a good understanding of health issues such as healthy eating and the need for regular exercise. The school has achieved a Gold Award for health promotion.
Next steps in our development:
- To ensure full entitlement in enterprise education.
- To promote creativity within every classroom.
Learners’ Experiences: (4)
Most of our pupils are motivated and eager participants in their learning. Active learning takes place in the classroom and pupils are motivated by this approach. Very good transition arrangements exist between Nursery and P1 and P7 & S1. All relevant information is transferred from Sgoil nan Loch to the receiving school at S3 and good arrangements are in place for induction days at The Nicolson Institute. Pupils are made aware of their progress and strengths as learners by the use of feedback from staff.. Almost all pupils act responsibly and all contribute actively to the life of the school and the wider community. All pupils and staff in our school are treated with equality, fairness and respect. The quality of attainment in English is good. The quality of attainment in Mathematics is good. Almost all pupils have attained appropriate national levels in reading and writing. Our pupils have their views sought on many issues and they know that these views are valued. The School Council has consistently met to discuss issues raised by pupils and has a very good record of success in resolving these issues. Our pupils are encouraged to take an active view of their local community as well as being aware of what is going on in their country and the rest of the world. They are encouraged to become involved in projects which research and investigate local and international situations. The school is involved in a number of environmental projects which are as learning and teaching sources by all pupils in the school. The school has been awarded a number of prizes over the years for these projects and the latest of these is 2nd prize in the Scotland’s Finest Woods (Schools) Awards. This was achieved through the schools tree planting and environmental awareness programmes. Relationships between staff and pupils and pupils & pupils within the school are very good. Teachers make good use of praise to motivate and challenge pupils.
Next steps in our development:
- Raise levels of consistency in target setting.
- Increase time for physical education across the school.
The Curriculum: (5)
The curriculum of the school is very good, it is designed to promote challenge, enjoyment, breadth, depth, progression, relevance, coherence, personalisation and choice in the learning of all pupils. There is an awareness, in its design, of local and national circumstances and advice and staff are encouraged to consider worthwhile innovations within these parameters. Planning is carried out carefully and takes account of previous work and its success. There have been curriculum innovations in line with the implementation of A Curriculum for Excellence as well as some experimental work with our environmental projects. Our work of planting potatoes and vegetables in a croft adjacent to the school has continued and remains a good source of learning material. We intend to expand these experiences and contexts thereby enabling our pupils to secure the best outcome from each scenario. All of these experiences are matched to the needs of all of our pupils and where necessary we differentiate the approach used as well as the content. Our Primary 3/4 class work for a term on a Titanic project and presented it to parents and friends as well as the rest of the school. Our learners are encouraged to grow as citizens as a result of the promotion of a wider curriculum base. Interacting with the community and our local environment has engaged pupils with their learning. The school has good arrangements in place for ensuring the care and welfare of pupils. Our staff know the pupils well as individuals and are aware of their physical, social and emotional needs. We have a range of policies in respect of care and welfare in place and we use them effectively. Pupils feel safe and secure in the school and know what to do in any situation which causes them concern. Staff have a good knowledge & understanding of pupils’ circumstances and all have received appropriate training in child protection procedures. Our pupils have the opportunity to participate in a programme of study support activities which are designed to help develop and extend their interests and skills eg pupils in P6-7 were given the opportunity to participate in a residential experience in Gearrannan in April and found it very worthwhile and our S2 pupils enjoyed the week long educational visit to Edinburgh last June. Our older pupils (S2) have been involved in assisting our younger pupils (P1/2) in two areas of the curriculum – Alta maths and storybook writing.
Next steps in our development:
- To implement the necessary changes to accommodate ACfE outcomes & experiences.
Meeting Learning Needs: (5)
We take positive and proactive steps to ensure that all relevant factors likely to hinder learning are promptly identified and addressed. Learning support staff and partner agencies in our school provide valuable support and advice to staff and individual learners and contribute towards meeting learning needs. Individualised educational programmes contain learning targets and Coordinated Support Plans give support to those learners who require them. We involve parents and learners in reviewing learners’ needs and learning plans. We continually identify, review and evaluate learners’ needs, this is carried out through close working with the learner, parents and partner agencies. The planning of learning activities takes cognisance of individual learner’s needs and their differing abilities and aptitudes. Tasks, activities and resources provide appropriate support and challenge to enable all learners to maximise their progress. Our courses, programmes and the pace of learning are all appropriate for individuals. Ancillary & auxiliary staff play an important part in the life of the school and their roles are respected and appreciated by teachers and pupils. We conduct a weekly meeting between teaching staff and their auxiliary colleagues so that all are up-to-date on any important issues or developments. We have a very supportive Parent Council and also a good partnership with our pupils’ parents. We send home regular and relevant information about the work of the school and the pupils’ progress. We hold three parent/teacher consultation evenings per session as well as sending home an annual written report. The school provides regular informative newsletters each month. As a home-school link, each pupil has a diary which acts as an extra conduit between staff and parents it is also used for the recording of homework. Parents are welcomed at the school and are able to make appointments with staff to discuss any concerns.
Next steps in our development:
- To continue to improve arrangements for differentiated learning in the secondary sector.
- Policy development for the participation of parents
Improvement through self-evaluation: (4)
As individuals and with colleagues, we evaluate our own classwork as reflective practitioners. We carry this out either through senior management observation and or peer observation (this also occurs across sectors eg secondary colleagues will observe primary colleagues and vice- versa . We work together as a school community and with partner agencies to secure the best and most effective improvements that we can. Staff views are gathered annually and we are committed to acting on the results of our self-evaluation. The views of parents and pupils are sought every two years at present. All staff working together reflect on current practice and any new initiatives, ideas and changes which we have introduced. Our improvements focus particularly on continuing improvements to learning and teaching and the achievements of all learners. As a staff we share good practice.
Next steps in our development:
- More regular collection of opinions from staff, parents, pupils.
- Develop a more robust & rigorous evidence base for improvements
Some of the activities that our pupils have been involved in during session 2008-2009:
- The Brian Stone Ensemble visited the school and played for us.
- Our pupils took part in the sports festival unihoc competition and were runners-up.
- Pupils worked with An Lanntair staff on art/archaeology work.
- We carried out the first stages of inter-stage work for ACfE.
- We had a student teacher in P1/2- Miss K Macleod.
- Throughout the year pupils were given their GLOW logins and began to participate in the GLOW experience.
- Sharon Mackinnon and colleagues gave a talk on recycling.
- Little Lochies had a visit from the Care Commission.
- Primary pupils took part in the Broadbay 5-a-side competition.
- Secondary pupils took part in the Broadbay 5-a-side competition. S1 Boys won the Grillburger Cup, S1/2 girls won the Georgie Moody Trophy and S2 Boys were runners-up in their competition. P6 pupils took part in a football competition in Smith Avenue.
- P3/4 gave a presentation to parents of their Titanic Project.
- Stornoway Rugby Club sent coaches to help at P.E. time.
- Stornoway Coastguard landed their helicopter on the school field and all of the children were allowed to go on-board.
- Whole school project in second term (Wed. pm) Alice in Wonderland.
- Christmas Production of Alice in Wonderland
- Santa visited! We had class parties and a Secondary Social as well as a Carol Concert.
- Gained a Gold Award for Health Promoting Schools.
- Sara Aboud came into school to speak about healthy eating and lifestyles.
- Our S2s went to The Nicolson Institute & Lews Castle College for visits.
- Primary 7s took part in Coca Cola sevens football tournament.
- Sports Festival football competition.
- P6/7 went on Educational Residential to Gearrannan Blackhouse Village.
- Primary pupils took part in a Tag rugby competition.
- Little Lochies went on a ‘Bear Hunt’ and had an animal party.
- P7s went to Choices for Life in the sports centre.
- Safety Theatre for P5-7.
- Highland Academy football coaching for P4/5 & S1/2
- Cycling proficiency.
- We were awarded 2nd prize in the national competition Scotland’s Finest Woods (Schools Award).
- S2 went on an Educational Residential Visit to Edinburgh for a week.
- Primary pupils took part in the Charlie Nicolson Trophy & Fun Fours.
- A Gala Day .
- Pupils competed in the Rural Sports with some good results.
- A band called Sunrise not Secular performed for the school and ran Workshops in Gaelic music.
- The Mod some very good results this year.
- Sports Day.
- Graduation Dinner for S2.
- Prize-giving.
 Standards and Quality Report for Session 2008-09 (PDF, 95K)
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