Dear colleagues,

We have made it to the last week of term!  Thank you for your contribution to our great school.  We do a phenomenal amount for our young people.  The tip of the iceberg, but some food for thought... at Balfron high during session 2023-24:

• teachers each taught 900 lessons per year (on average)

• each learner goes to 1209 lessons (plus 156 form classes) per year

• senior phase pupils sat 2650 exams this SQA diet

• 21 regular weekly sports clubs

• 16 creative, weekly gaming and academic clubs

• 41 Inter-House activities

• 3 international trips

• 7 residential trips in UK

• 212 excursions during or after school hours

Lewis Paterson (Insight Lead) from the Scottish Government met with our Leadership Team last week to analyse our attainment data. The same message as his previous visit remains true.  To improve attainment, we consider the following:

• Ensure that all young people achieve 5 qualifications (their best level)

• Compare the number of learners who start a course with the number that finish

• Does your course offer progression to the next level?

• What is the purpose of S6? The annual attainment of our lowest 20% of S6 is cause for concern. The 5 year overview of attainment of the lowest 20% of S6 learners is below.  We require a discussion around timetabling S6 pupils.  While we are too late for 2024-25, we can plan for 2025-26 and the timetables of our least secure learners.

I have included the behaviour data for the 3 weeks of the new timetable below.  There are a few pupils who have not started as well as we would want.  Please take a look at the data and pick up any young people in your Home Area/ caseload who need a reminder about expectations.

The link to our August In-service programme below. Given the feedback from last session, we have protected a considerable amount of time for planning over both days.  We will kick off the year with our commitment to Learning & Teaching.

Again, I would like to extend my thanks for you hard work, commitment to Balfron and professionalism. A particularly big thank you to those staff who are moving on to other things.  Very best wishes for a fabulous retirement to Lynn Rice.  Very best wishes to Andrew Lauder in his new post at Preston Lodge.  Congratulations to Fiona Fisher who was appointed to PTPS on Thursday.

Thanks and well done on a successful year to our probationers - Jennifer Banks, Ellie Cummins, Pete Heesom, Rhys McGowan and Lucy Walkup.  Thanks also to our fabulous temporary staff who have helped keep the ship afloat throughout the year - Susie Henderson, Scott Mason, Calum Mackenna, Susan McKenzie, Karyee Pang and Nick Pirie.  It has been lovely working with you all.  I hope you will look back fondly at your time at Balfron High School.

Have a well earned break when it comes.

Very best,

Elaine