EDC Review of Bearsden Academy (19-23 November 2012)

1. EDC Review of Bearsden Academy(19-23 November 2012) Feedback to Parent Council 5/2/13

2. Strengths QI 1.1 Improvements in performance • Standards of attainment are consistently strong. • Strong emphasis on providing a wide range of opportunities for young people within and out with school. • Almost all young people move into positive destinations. • Planning has a clear focus on outcomes for young people.

3. Strengths QI 2.1 Learner’s experiences • Young people are motivated and interact well with teaching staff. They feel valued, respected and spoke highly of the support they receive. • Young people are becoming increasingly responsible for their own learning through changes to learning and teaching practices.

4. Strengths QI 2.1 Learner’s experiences • Young people value the voice they have in the school. They can see that their views are considered and acted upon. • Your articulate young people are able to make and express links in learning from across the curriculum.

5. Strengths QI 5.1 The curriculum • Staff have worked hard to review and refresh programmes of work, embedding experiences and outcomes into planning and ensuring articulation with NQ levels. • Curricular developments are led by teachers. The Numeracy, Literacy and HWB committees support staff to develop appropriate skills.

6. Strengths QI 5.1 The curriculum • There are a wide range of partnership arrangements which continues to grow and provide a range of opportunities for young people. • Cluster working with associated primary schools complements strong pastoral support at the point of transition and curricular developments.

7. Strengths QI 5.3 Meeting learners’ needs • Broad banding and setting are used effectively to provide appropriate support and challenge to young people. • A wide range of systems are in place to provide a range of opportunities to support young people and meet their needs.

8. Strengths QI 5.3 Meeting learners’ needs • The extended guidance system supports young people through the profiling process. • Young people within the LCR are very well supported and feel that they are an integral part of the school.

9. Strengths QI 5.9 Self Evaluation • Staff are positive about and are committed to improving the quality of learning experiences in the school through participation in teacher learning communities, working groups and committees, etc. • The quality assurance calendar provides the school and departments with a structure to successfully identifying strengths and areas for improvement.

10. Strengths QI 5.9 Self Evaluation • Professional dialogue and collaborative working provide staff with opportunities to develop skills and confidence in the use of new assessment techniques. • Moderation activities, supported by monitoring and tracking systems provide evidence which supports professional dialogue within departments and with senior management.

11. Action Points QI 1.1 Improvements in Performance • Look more closely at integrated planning for assessment.

12. Action Points QI 2.1 Learners' Experiences • Aim for high quality feedback to learners to improve their learning. • Pupils should have more opportunities to lead on learning.

13. Action Points QI 5.1 Curriculum • IDL. • Reporting on progression across levels and personal achievement. • Consider widening the scope of the membership of the Health and Wellbeing committee (pupils & parents?) • Continue dialogue to develop planning for progression across all CfE levels.

14. Action Points QI 5.3 Meeting Learners’ Needs • Personal support. • Ensure appropriate targeted and universal support for all learners. • Build on its improving links with partners (MCMC)

15. Action Points QI 5.9 Self Evaluation • Develop consistency in departmental standards and quality reports. • Develop further monitoring and tracking. • Ensure all stakeholders involved in evaluating work.