Dear colleagues,

Just three weeks left of term. Time seems to be flying so every minute with our learners is precious.  Thank you for your focus and the motivation and guidance you provide for our learners at this intense time.  Michelle has organised a session on Thursday at lunchtime focusing on 'challenging retrieval for the final senior push'.  I hope that you are able to get along to C8 to take part in this short and very worthwhile session. 

Attainment Matters

Thanks to those who have offered time to deliver targeted support at Easter School.  So far we are able to offer biology, chemistry, D&M, English, French, maths, metalwork, Spanish & human biology.  I plan to finalise the Easter School programme this week so that we can communicate with targeted pupils and their parents.  If you haven't had a chance to confirm availability, here is a link 2025 Easter School Planning. 

Our primary focus is the 'Drive for Best 5' for all of our learners. It has been great to note a general reduction in the number of pupils withdrawing from courses compared to last year.  I also appreciate the work that goes into the small number of learners who are being dual entered in order to safeguard five qualifications.

Thanks for your continued commitment to implementing our mobile phone policy.  The working group are meeting this week to review the post implementation feedback from pupils, parents and staff.  There were 8 responses from staff, 233 from parents and 92 from pupils.  Have a look through the summary of responses below and if you have points for the working group to consider, please email or see me before Wednesday lunchtime.

Please continue to stick to the policy and model expectations by avoiding personal phone use in class time.

Positive Behaviour Matters

The data for the last four weeks has been pulled from SEEMiS and analysed.  There has been a significant drop in the number of merits awarded to pupils in the last four week period with the exception of S4-6.  Here is the latest 4 week data period with the previous 4 week total merits in brackets:

S1: 1064 (1530) S2: 802 (1125) S3: 484 (707) S4: 213 (151) S5: 268 (137) S6 135 (93)

Form Class Leaders and PTs PS, please pick up with the young people in your form class who have been highlighted with 5 or more demerits in the four week period.  Equally, it would be great to recognise those who have been highlighted for achieving 10 or more merits in the period.  Links to the full data are below.

Destinations Matter

In the last three years we have been slightly below our virtual comparator in terms of the percentage of leavers who go to a positive destination. With that in mind, this is the key time to ensure that out most vulnerable young people have a plan post school.  If you are a form class leader for S4 or S5  and you are aware that pupils are leaving, please ensure that they have linked with Aileen Crawford and Neil Cameron.

There are four school weeks left for our S6 pupils.  The majority of them have applied for university.  Again, please double check that everyone has as secure a plan as is possible and if in doubt, refer the pupil to Neil and Aileen through your home area PT.

Key dates for our S6 are as follows:

• Leavers' breakfast and celebration are on Thursday April 24th 9-11am

• Graduation is on Thursday April 24th at 6.30pm

• Study leave starts for S6 on Friday 25th April

• Study leave starts for S4-5 on Monday 28th April.

Progression matters.  

Right now course Choice for S4 and S5 is critical.  If you have a role in supporting decisions as a class teacher or have a pastoral input, please always keep 'best 5' in mind. 

Thanks for your hard work and commitment to achievement and attainment at Balfron High.  Every small act makes a massive difference. #buildingfuturestogether

Have a great week.

Elaine