Dear colleagues,

Just two weeks left of term. Massive thanks for your drive and commitment at this intense time. It will make a massive difference to outcomes for our young people.

Attainment Matters

Thanks to those who have been able to offer time to deliver targeted support at Easter School.  Here is a link to our programme.  The next stage is to contact the pupils who are targeted.  I will email parents and pupils early this weeks with the details. The sessions are open, numbers permitting, to those not in a targeted group.  I will also keep FCLs and PTs PS in the loop with names so that you can encourage attendance at the sessions too.  I am hopeful that some additional intense support over the break will help guide our less secure learners over the line to achieve their best 5 qualifications.  

Our primary focus for improvement as a school 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, targeted number of learners who are being dual entered in order to safeguard five qualifications.

Michelle has another lunchtime session planned with a focus on 'Challenging Retrieval for Seniors.'  This week is all about weighted retrieval grids and disrupting the forgetting curve.  Come to C8 on Thursday lunchtime. There's a taster below.

During the post prelim meetings, it was positive to see a range of departmental tracking systems.  To help us target those who have most significant barriers please ensure that data can be filtered categories - SIMD, FME, C Exp, YC, ASN, EAL.  In addition to checking on and helping those most in need, this will be a focus for us at all levels during inspection.  How do we track the progress of these learners and what do we do when we see that they are not achieving?

BGE Attainment

The focus last week for PTs was on our BGE tracking systems.  We have bought into a new system that will better track progress of learners within BGE levels.  As with every system there are pros and cons. The progress system will allow us to do two important things that we can't easily do right now:

1. 1. track progress through the BGE

   2. hold profiles of learners throughout their journey through the BGE and track attainment over time

A screenshot of the four themes in the Raising Attainment & Achievement QI that are evaluated and graded in every inspection are on the right.

Final Phone policy

The working group met last week to review all of the feedback on the new policy.  The feedback has been summarised on slides below.  Given the wide range of pupil views, Clair will run a focus group in the new term and feedback to all. Discussing the responses and data, the working group recommend that use of the boxes is extended to S4 next session.

Celebrating Success

I am aware that a review of our approach to systematically, regularly recognising and celebrating success requires review. This was highlighted at the teacher focus group on our last inservice day and will be in the SIP for 2025-26. I will run a Short life working group during study leave to review and begin planning.  There is a wide range of strategies being used across the school so I feel confident that it will be relatively straightforward to pull this together.  Here is a link to the responses: Celebrating Success at Balfron High School March 2025

In the mean time I hope that the School App will go some way to help highlight the fantastic wider achievements and successes that we see every day.  Wati has organised two short training sessions.  To ensure that every team is able to celebrate their successes, please make sure that at least one person attends the training.  Everyone is welcome.

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