Title | Progress | Expected Outcome / Cross-Cutting Issues | Status |
Continue to address underachievement at credit level and in S5/6 | All six of the underlying actions have now been undertaken which has enhanced the data available to schools and the capacity of schools to use this data meaningfully. On-going work is being undertaken, including meetings with secondary head teachers to support the attainment agenda. | The measures outlined have improved the exam results in S5 & S6. | 
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Support staff in schools to raise attainment, particularly in under attaining schools and departments | Proposals for the restructuring of the Inclusion and Support Service have been consulted on with the aim of improving provision. Training to team members and specialist school staff has been undertaken but will be ongoing as required.
Self-evaluation has improved in HMIe reports in 2008/09 compared with the previous two sessions. In-service training took place on the topic in February for all head teachers and Quality Improvement Officers, which was positively evaluated and will be followed up in April. Wider initiatives and a review are now being undertaken to improve self-evaluation of Community Learning and Development staff, Libraries and Museum staff and Central Officers.
In respect of developing further the use of available data, particularly attainment data in schools, at all levels a new format for prelim analysis is now used and issues from this are being followed up. | The measures outlined have improved the exam results. |
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Involve parents more directly in supporting all aspects of their child’s education | There many ways in which parents are involved in their child’s education. Some of the examples are:
Hythehill Primary School – Creativity and Enterprise: For a number of years we have held a very successful Creativity and Enterprise week in the school. All classes, including nursery, have been involved in activities that are stimulating, challenging and lively, culminating in class open afternoons, or performances, for family and friends. This year, for example, P6 pupils contributed towards the Health Promoting School agenda and led workshops based on healthy lifestyles for P4 pupils and for their own parents.
Lhanbryde Primary School – Abernethy Residential Trip: Forty one P6/7 pupils and five members of staff thoroughly enjoyed their four days at Nethybridge. They benefited greatly from this experience and took part in a number of exciting activities including ski-ing, archery and the zip wire as well as a number of problem solving tasks. Parents and pupils were invited to view all the film footage and photographs as well as chat about their memories at an evening in April.
Yoga Day: On Monday, 24th March we held another Yoga Day, where Mrs Susan Anderson provided pupils, parents and staff with a variety of relaxation techniques. The children particularly enjoyed taking part in the animal yoga sessions.
Hungary for Success Workshops: Our P4/5 and P5/6 classes thoroughly enjoyed their experiences with Jenny Curran, the H4S dietician, and members of the Health Promotions Team. They learned how to make a simple, savoury wrap and fruit kebab, had fun while blind tasting a variety of food, learned about the Eat Well Plate and discovered how much sugar there really is in some of our favourite snacks. Kevin Collins, the Active Schools Coordinator also provided a physical activity workshop as part of this initiative. The pupils then delivered all the workshops to their peers and finally to their own families at an evening event
Forres Academy – Transition Day: Over 130 Primary 7 pupils came to a fun filled transition day on Saturday 22 June. They had the chance to participate in a number of activities such as rugby, drumming, badminton, arts and crafts and many, many more. This gave P7 pupils a chance to bond and get to know each other before coming up to the Academy for their two induction days. In tandem with pupil events on the Saturday, we ran parental workshops such as “Internet Safety” and “Getting to know your teenager” which were very popular with some parents. The day was a huge success.
St Thomas RC Primary School – ACE Afternoons: As part of our Curriculum for Excellence work we have an ACE afternoon every Monday. This involves children from P1-P7 working together in House groups, giving them each a chance to work with different children and staff than they would normally see. Each group works for 5/6 weeks on either, Health, Enterprise or Eco-School activities. At the end of each block, they may produce something to present to the rest of the school community including parents and visitors or to exhibit in the community.
Findochty Primary School – parents were invited to attend an awards ceremony in terms of Reciprocal Science.
DykePrimary School – A very successful Curriculum for Excellence evening was held in the Village Hall in September and we were delighted with the large turnout of parents at this event. | Parents are encouraged to be part of their child’s education at a variety of levels. |
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Develop strategies to achieve high standards of performance in national examinations | In terms of S4 attainment, achieving 5 or more awards at level 5 was included as a service improvement plan action with performance improving from 35% in 2006-7 to 37% in 2007-8.
Improving S5 attainment with a service improvement plan action and results improved in 2 out of the 3 actions.
Improving S6 attainment was a service improvement plan action and results improved in all 4 areas. | By concentrating effort of the service in improving the attainment the exam results have improved over the past year. |
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Publish a comprehensive Schools Information Report covering achievement, attainment and attendance | The Public Performance Report was completed in March 2009, setting out information on achievement, attainment and attendance. The report compares previous performance and highlights when areas were identified for specific action for the service and if the improvement was achieved. | The PPR highlights achievements through performance monitoring which informs the service priorities. As mentioned above the service priorities have now achieved an increase in attainment results. |
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Support schools to implement finalised Curriculum for Excellence outcomes | Work on the 32 week period model has gone for consultation in February as anticipated and schools are to respond by July. Work at Area School Group level continues to improve and cross-sectoral working is ongoing. The Learning and Teaching Scotland Area Adviser has provided positive feedback regarding Moray's ongoing implementation of Curriculum for Excellence. | Work is on schedule to complete these actions and contributes to the achievements of this outcome. |
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Continue to address issues of underachievement in the lowest attaining 20% | All 6 underlying actions have been undertaken which has enhanced the data available to schools and the capacity of schools to use this data meaningfully. Ongoing work is being undertaken including meetings with secondary head teachers and the Director of Educational Services to support the attainment agenda.
The draft strategy to facilitate the planning and use of the Looked After Children database has been completed and the database has been revised.
All Continuing Professional Development related to Looked After Children will be under the auspices of the ‘We Can and Must do Better’ initiative, and be guided by the similarly named DVD-Rom that has been produced to replace the ’Learning with Care’. Officers from Moray Council have attended the Scottish Government’s ‘Training for Trainers’ events and now planning for training events will be taken forward on a multi-agency basis. | Work continues to support the school and the attainment agenda resulting in better attainment in exams. |
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