Buckie High School inspection report

Date Added - 13/01/09

School inspectors have applauded the quality of education enjoyed by pupils at a Moray secondary.

Of five quality indicators used to assess Buckie High’s performance, the inspectors marked three as ‘very good’ and the others as ‘good’.

They were so impressed with what they found during the inspection visit in October that they do not intend making any follow-up visits.

The inspectors identified a number of particular strengths, including the strong lead given by headteacher David Barnett and his senior team, staff teamwork and partnership working with external agencies.

They also highlighted two examples of good practice – using digital exam papers to help pupils with additional support needs, including those with dyslexia, and the development of citizenship skills through partnership working with a school in Tanzania.

The inspection report, published today (January 13), said Mr Barnett, along with staff, pupils and parents, had recently reviewed the vision and aims of the school, which has a roll of 900.

“These now focus on preparing young people for life beyond school,” said the report.

“The headteacher and senior leadership team demonstrate very strong leadership and staff work together effectively to improve the quality of education.

“Staff know the school very well and have a shared understanding of its strengths and where things need to improve. They have worked together effectively to bring about improvements.”

Behaviour in the school was found to be good and pupils thought that staff dealt well with any concerns, including bullying.

“Throughout the school, teachers know young people well,” said the report. “Most set suitably challenging tasks in lessons and help young people to learn well.”

The school provided a very good range of courses and activities to motivate young people and meet their needs in innovative ways.

The inspectors referred to pupils developing a range of skills through well-planned activities across the curriculum, many of them linked to Buckie High’s long-established partnership with a Tanzanian school.

The parent council also supported the school well and staff were actively developing approaches to involve parents more in young people’s learning.

The report said: “The school works well with a range of community and business partners. Together they provide high quality work experience and opportunities for young people to develop enterprising attitudes and civic responsibility.”

Moray Council’s director of educational services, Donald Duncan, said: “This is a first class report which highlights the very good work that has been going on at Buckie High.

“The fact that the inspectors have identified two examples of good practice is further evidence of the breadth of the curriculum which the school is delivering to its young people.”

Councillor Jeff Hamilton, chairman of the council’s children and young people’s services committee, said: “It is very encouraging to see one of our larger secondaries receiving such a glowing report from the inspectors.

“The report is positive in every respect and everyone involved with the school deserves to be congratulated.”