Elgin Academy/Portessie Primary inspection reports

Date Added - 17/11/09

School inspectors have published a report which recognises many strengths in a Moray secondary school but also the need for important improvements in certain areas.

They have identified four areas for improvement at Elgin Academy, including a need to improve self-evaluation and to build team working across the school.

Of the five areas of performance evaluated by the inspection, three were graded as ‘good’ and two as ‘weak’.

The inspection report, published today, identifies a number of strengths within the school, including the willingness of pupils to learn and the care and concern shown towards pupils by staff.

Inspectors found that most young people enjoyed learning and felt that staff encouraged them to do their best.

“The school ethos supports hard work, care and welfare,” said the report. “Young people behave very well and are proud of their achievements. They respect different cultures and have a good sense of equality and fairness.”

The report said that by the end of S2 most pupils achieved appropriate national standards in reading, writing and maths, although a few did not make sufficient progress from prior levels of attainment.

“In recent years, the success of young people in S4, S5 and S6 in national examinations has generally been in line with or above national averages.”

The report said most teachers identified the learning need of pupils well, but too often they provided all pupils with the same activity instead of taking more account of the range of learning needs in their classes. In particular, they needed to provide tasks and activities set at the right level for the highest achieving individuals.

It continued: “Teachers and support staff do not work well enough together or use an appropriate range of approaches and skills to help young people to learn and make progress.”

Head teacher Margaret Cowie had worked well with pupils, parents and staff to develop an understanding of what the school wanted to achieve, said the report.

“She is committed to improving the school and there have been some important developments to teaching and learning,” it said. “She now needs to ensure improvements have a positive impact across the school.

“The new senior leadership team should now involve everyone in the school and community to make sure the school achieves its aims and vision.”

The inspectors will carry out a follow-up visit to the academy within the next year to check on progress with the improvements they have recommended.

Councillor Jeff Hamilton, chairman of Moray Council’s children and young people’s services committee, said: “The report highlights some very positive aspects within the school, not least the willingness of pupils to learn and to realise their potential.

“There is also clearly a desire and commitment by staff to improve the school and raise standards even more.”

Donald Duncan, the council’s director of educational services, said: “The inspectors have identified a number of areas for improvement and in the weeks and months ahead we as an authority will be working closely with the school in preparation for the inspection team’s return.

“I have every confidence that, working together, we can address those areas highlighted by the inspectors.”

Meanwhile, inspectors have welcomed improvements at a Buckie school where shortcomings were identified during an inspection two years ago.

A follow-up report, published today, said there was clear evidence of improvement at Portessie Primary.

The report highlighted the leadership of head teacher Alison Vass, who took up her post a year ago, as one of the school’s main strengths.

“Leadership of the school is much improved,” it said. “Staff know their strengths and areas for development and have clear plans to improve the school’s work.”

The inspectors said they would make no further visits in connection with the original report.