Dear colleagues,

Thanks to everyone for your vigilance, support, activities and input last week ensuring that the S6 final week was highly positive. At the end of the graduation, many parents took time to share their appreciation for our input over the years. 

Lunch and Learn takes place on Wednesday of this week in C8, delivered by Nicola. Please note an update to our pedagogy section below, along with a link to our fabulous new Learning & Teaching website.

A special congratulations to our S2 Football team who beat Larbert High School on penalties to make it to the cup final this week. We are sending a bus to support them in this important game.

As you know, attainment data is shared twice per year on Insight:

• September: Local data of existing cohorts

• February: National data - school leavers from previous year

I have meetings with the council following each of the data publications.  We discuss the outcome, analysis and plans that are identified as a result.

Here is a link to the Insight presentation that will be discussed on Friday 26 April. 

I am also very much aware that our Sunday Times school ranking based on 5+ highers has dropped significantly (from 19 to 46). I am not a fan of the league tables for many obvious reasons, but it would be unwise to dismiss their impact on our public profile. The measure is based on the percentage of pupils who leave with 5+ Highers. 

We knew that the 2023 S6's attainment showed a significant decline - 30% @ 5 Higher in S5, rising to 52% by the end of S6, a drop of 10% from the 2022 cohort (left with 62% @ 5 H).  

Analysis of the 2023 data highlighted the following key factors that we have begun to address:

• early withdrawal from courses

• decline in attendance

As we plan for an new improvement cycle, it is clear that we must focus on:

1. high quality learning & teaching

2. increased levels of attendance

3. curriculum appropriate for all to succeed

4. look inwards (dissect data) and outwards (what is improving elsewhere?)

On a positive note, we know that the 2024 S6 recorded a significant improvement in S5 @ 5 Highers and with that in mind, I anticipate an improvement in the S6 accumulate measure for next year.  Onwards and upwards!

It's another busy week.  Thanks in advance for your input.  

Elaine