A Craigmillar Journey
to School Improvement
Lindsey Watt, Headteacher
Castleview 2004
HMIE – required a return visit
High exclusion rate
Low attainment
Unworkable behaviour policy
Poor Attendance (staff and pupils)
Disillusioned, sceptical staff
Loss of Headteacher = 2 x Acting
Headteachers
School had not moved forward
2004 - Ensure Improvement in …
• the structure of the curriculum by
establishing clear expectations about what
pupils are to learn and how this will be
planned and assessed;
• raising attainment in reading, writing and
mathematics by ensuring appropriate
levels of pace and challenge for all pupils
in their learning;
• monitoring pupils’ progress to help further
develop their learning experiences.
Investment in Leadership by
City of Edinburgh Council
Sciennes
to
Castleview
All schools should reflect
aspects of the
6 Columban Values
Awareness of the public
perception of Craigmillar’s
Young People ?
Focus on the reality
Create the Long-term Vision A High Quality Learning Experience
Eradicate barriers to learning
• School Environment
• Home Environment
• Health & Well-Being
Culture of leadership and ownership
of learning at every level
School Environment
• Stabilise Staffing
• Create Calmness, respect
and love
• Curriculum for Excellence
a mandate for change
• Development of T&L approaches
• Planning & Assessment
• Encourage and map a Journey of Learning
• Teach transferable skills and apply in other
contexts
• Teamwork – CTs, PSAs, SfL, EAL, EWO, HOTS
• Quality Continuous Professional Development
• Promotion of partnerships in the City
Persevere Attainment and Achievement
2011 Cabinet Secretary For
Life Long Learning’s
Attainment Group
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
5.
Increasing the ambition, aspiration and
expectation of every child and young
person.
Delivering excellent learning and teaching
in every classroom, every day
Developing effective leadership
at all levels
Engaging family
and the wider community
Focus on Literacy and numeracy as
platforms on which to build future learning.
Using information intelligently to understand
progress.
Partnerships
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Cluster Primaries and High School
Richmond’s Hope
Nairn's Oatcakes
Community Citizenship Project
Castlegreen Care Home
Social Work
Community Police & Park Rangers
Edinburgh University School of Architecture
Queen Margaret University
Benmore Outdoor Centre
Historic Scotland
Families and Schools Together - FAST
Thistle Foundation
Historic Scotland
Inspirational Teaching
Curriculum for Excellence in Action
Culture of Belief became the Norm
HMIE 2013
Improvements in performance Very good
Learners’ experiences
Very good
Meeting learning needs
Excellent
Curriculum
Excellent
Improvements through selfevaluation
Very Good
Culture of leadership continues …
MAKING THE DIFFERENCE: TEAM
Winners in this category needed to
demonstrate that leaders who guide or
direct others can be anyone, from the
smallest child to the highest ranked
person in the organisation. Teams can
also lead the way. Leadership is about
inspiring and motivating others and
supporting others to achieve a common
goal.
Get a Life!
You don’t know what is around the corner!
New Challenges
Widen Transition Experiences
Extend Broad General Education
Develop Curriculum for Excellence
Increase Opportunities for Interdisciplinary Learning
Eradicate the poverty of ambition
What did I do today
that made a difference?
lindsey.watt@castleview.edin.sch.uk