Dear colleagues,

Welcome back! I hope that you have had a wonderful summer and have managed to recharge and enjoy some time away from work.  A special welcome to all of our new staff - we are delighted to have you at Balfron High School.

Massive thanks to Alistair and Rachel for leading a successful expedition to Zanzibar. I've included a few pictures and videos below.

Staffing 2025-26

Welcome to our newly appointed staff, Ashley Montgomery (DHT Campsie), Andrew Murphy (PT ASN) and Monica Nunez (HE).  Also worth mentioning are Alastair Shearer (PE) and Lauren McGuigan (ASN) who were appointed at the end of last session. Congratulations on your new posts.  We are all looking forward to working with you. 

Welcome to our new NQTs, Grace Murdock (History), Lindsay Bowie (Modern Studies and History), Joanne Caruthers (Business), Beth Clark and Ruaraidh Stark (PE), Conner Allen (English), Ellis Grandison (French and Spanish) and Nicole Gear (Chemistry). We wish you a positive and successful session at Balfron High.

Massive thanks to Stephanie Holbein and Emma McCann who return to help us out with supply.  It's great to have you back.

Inservice Days

The link to our August In-service programme below. Given the feedback from last session, we have protected a time for planning and e-learning over both days.  I am pleased to confirm that Graham Gouldon will be a keynote speaker on Tuesday morning. Formerly of the Crime Prevention Unit, Graham works with organisations to develop a bystander approach to creating safe and supportive learning environments.  I hope that this input will enhance our Equalities and ESAS work.

SQA Results 2025

The SQA results were positive on the whole with the some fabulous individual success stories.  Thank you for your hard work and input in leading and supporting our young people through their courses.  

Key messages from early Breadth and Depth analysis:

• S6 results were in line previous year. Where we can, we must make sure that the new S6 are coursed to ensure they leave with the best possible 5 qualifications that they can. Advanced Highers are worth significantly more tariff points for Insight analysis.

• The percentage of S5 attaining 5 Highers dropped for the third year in a row. This must shift our attention to ensuring that the new S5 are coursed for 5 Highers if they have appropriate prior attainment. S5 FCLs - please check your form classes courses and highlight to your PT Home Area any pupils who could be doing 5 Highers who are not.

• S4 N5 results improved to 68% attaining 5 at level 5 (from 61% last year). 

Breadth and depth is pointing us to continue our focus on best 5 NQs for every pupil with an additional focus on 5+ Higher attainment for the new S5 cohort.  The strong S4 N5 results put us in a strong position to improve this measure for 2026.

The learning from this lies in ensuring that young people are coursed as appropriately as possible to provide the best chance of success. Now that results are in, it is important to ensure that this is reviewed.   

Action for everyone:

Individual teachers and teams will be keen to analyse their results to identify areas that can be improved.  The Results Machine has been updated and is a fantastic resource to quickly analyse last year's attainment.  It also provides a 3 year overview that is helpful. 

• Review all of the tabs under 'Comparisons'.  

• Component marks.  Use for planning for improvement in courses.

• Relative Value.  This will show how individuals have done in your course relative to the others that they have completed

School & Team Improvement Plan 2056-26

Our new SIP will be updated in light of results by Monday 18 August.

Team Improvement Plans should be updated by Monday 22 September.

Improvement areas to support improved attainment:

• Our lowest 20% of S4/5 leavers attain significantly lower than the VC 

• Ensure that all young people achieve their best 5 qualifications - increased focus on 5 Highers

• Pupils with ASN attainment is lower than our VC (bottom 20%, middle 60% & top 20%).  How are we planning for these learners?

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

• Does your course offer progression to the next level?

Massive thanks in advance for your care, professionalism and input.

Have a great first week back to school!

Elaine