A sample of parents, children and young people, and all members of staff were invited to give their views of the school using a pre-inspection questionnaire. Their views informed the inspection process, including the nature of discussions in a number of
meetings. Strengths and issues identified were explored by the inspection team, and the findings are included in the inspection report. The following information gives the statistical detail from those that returned questionnaires.
Parent Questionnaire Summary
Percentage %
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
Q10
Q11
Q12
Q13
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
The school helps my child to be more confident.
My child enjoys learning at school.
My child’s learning is progressing well.
My child is encouraged and stretched to work to the best of her/his ability.
I am kept well informed about my child’s progress.
My child feels safe at school.
My child is treated fairly at school.
I feel staff really know my child as an individual and support her/him well.
My child benefits from school clubs and activities provided outwith the classroom.
The school actively seeks out my views.
The school takes account of my views.
The school is well led.
Overall, I am happy with the school.
Note: Will not always sum to 100% due to rounding
Q7
Q8
Q9
Q10
Q11
Q12
Q13
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don’t Know
Not Answered
Disagree &
Strongly
Disagree
Q1
Strongly
Agree &
Agree
100%
Not
Answered
80%
Don’t Know
60%
Strongly
Disagree
40%
Disagree
20%
Agree
0%
Alford Academy
5230934
250
97
39%
Strongly
Agree
Centre Name
SEED Number
Quest. Issued
Quest. Input
Response Rate
15%
16%
18%
10%
12%
39%
23%
20%
20%
8%
6%
25%
29%
74%
77%
72%
69%
62%
58%
67%
54%
44%
57%
49%
62%
64%
5%
3%
5%
11%
21%
1%
3%
9%
15%
24%
14%
3%
3%
0%
2%
1%
2%
0%
0%
0%
1%
5%
2%
1%
0%
1%
5%
0%
4%
7%
4%
1%
6%
16%
13%
9%
27%
10%
3%
0%
1%
0%
0%
1%
1%
1%
0%
2%
0%
2%
0%
0%
90%
94%
90%
79%
74%
97%
90%
73%
64%
65%
56%
87%
93%
5%
5%
6%
13%
21%
1%
3%
10%
21%
26%
15%
3%
4%
Pupil Questionnaire Summary
Centre Name
SEED Number
Quest. Issued
Quest. Input
Response Rate
Alford Academy
5230934
250
245
98%
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
The school is helping me to become more confident.
I enjoy learning at school.
I am getting along well with my learning.
I am encouraged and stretched to work to the best of my ability.
Staff talk to me regularly about how to improve my learning.
I get help when I need it.
Staff listen to me and pay attention to what I say.
I have a say in how to make the learning in the school better.
I have responsibility for my own work in class.
Staff and pupils treat me fairly and with respect.
I feel safe and cared for in school.
I have adults in school I can speak to if I am upset or worried about something.
All staff are approachable and set a good example.
Staff are good at managing pupils’ behaviour.
Staff are good at dealing with bullying behaviour.
The pupil council is good at getting improvements made in the school.
The school encourages me to make healthy food choices.
I take part in out-of-class activities and school clubs.
I know what out-of-school activities and youth groups are available in my local area.
Q10
Note: Will not always sum to 100% due to rounding
Q11
Q12
Q13
Q14
Q15
Q16
Q17
Q18
Q19
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don’t Know
Not Answered
DISCLOSURE CONTROL APPLIED
Disagree &
Strongly
Disagree
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
Q10
Q11
Q12
Q13
Q14
Q15
Q16
Q17
Q18
Q19
Q2
Strongly
Agree &
Agree
Q1
Not
Answered
100%
Don’t Know
80%
Strongly
Disagree
60%
Disagree
40%
Agree
20%
Strongly
Agree
Percentage %
0%
11%
11%
20%
30%
11%
31%
25%
13%
43%
27%
24%
32%
17%
15%
26%
9%
8%
25%
27%
69%
74%
73%
58%
45%
57%
58%
39%
53%
62%
64%
52%
56%
50%
47%
49%
49%
40%
59%
11%
9%
4%
7%
35%
9%
11%
34%
2%
7%
6%
9%
22%
24%
9%
18%
34%
25%
10%
2%
2%
0%
0%
4%
0%
1%
3%
0%
1%
0%
2%
2%
4%
3%
2%
2%
8%
1%
6%
4%
4%
6%
4%
2%
4%
9%
1%
3%
6%
4%
3%
7%
14%
19%
6%
1%
2%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1%
0%
0%
0%
1%
0%
0%
0%
2%
2%
2%
2%
80%
85%
92%
87%
56%
89%
83%
53%
97%
89%
88%
84%
73%
65%
73%
58%
56%
65%
86%
13%
11%
4%
7%
40%
9%
12%
37%
2%
8%
6%
11%
24%
28%
12%
21%
36%
33%
11%
Teacher Questionnaire Summary
Alford Academy
5230934
60
29
48%
Percentage %
Q2
Q1
Q3
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
Q10
Q11
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q12
Q13
Q14
Q15
Q8
Q9
Q16
Q17
Q18
Q19
Q20
Q10
Q11
Staff discuss regularly how to improve achievement for all pupils at both stage and wholeschool level.
All pupils are provided with activities which meet their learning needs.
Pupils are involved in setting learning targets.
Pupils are provided with regular feedback on what they need to do to improve.
Pupils are provided with opportunities to evaluate their own work and that of others.
Pupils’ views are regularly sought on how staff might improve learning experiences.
Pupils participate well in their learning.
Staff treat all pupils equally.
There is mutual respect between all staff and pupils.
The behaviour of pupils is good.
Support for pupils with additional support needs, including behavioural difficulties, is effective.
Parents are fully involved in the life of the school and their child’s learning.
I have been actively involved in developing the school’s vision and values.
I am actively involved in setting priorities for school improvement.
I have regular opportunities to help shape the curriculum through staff discussion and working
groups.
I am aware of the school’s procedures relating to child protection.
Leadership at all levels is effective.
There is effective communication amongst staff.
I have good opportunities to take part in continuing professional development.
Staff across the school share good practice.
Q12
Note: Will not always sum to 100% due to rounding
Q13
Q14
Q15
Q16
Q17
Q18
Q19
Q20
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don’t Know
Not Answered
DISCLOSURE CONTROL APPLIED
Disagree &
Strongly
Disagree
Q1
Strongly
Agree &
Agree
100%
Not
Answered
80%
Don’t Know
60%
Strongly
Disagree
40%
Disagree
20%
Agree
0%
Strongly
Agree
Centre Name
SEED Number
Quest. Issued
Quest. Input
Response Rate
52%
45%
0%
0%
3%
0%
97%
0%
10%
0%
31%
21%
21%
38%
38%
34%
34%
34%
72%
62%
66%
69%
59%
55%
52%
55%
59%
62%
14%
14%
0%
3%
10%
3%
3%
3%
0%
0%
0%
3%
0%
0%
3%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
3%
17%
3%
7%
7%
0%
3%
3%
0%
3%
0%
3%
0%
0%
0%
3%
3%
3%
7%
0%
83%
62%
97%
90%
79%
93%
90%
90%
93%
97%
14%
17%
0%
3%
14%
3%
3%
3%
0%
0%
48%
21%
28%
28%
45%
59%
52%
66%
0%
17%
17%
3%
0%
0%
0%
0%
7%
0%
3%
3%
0%
3%
0%
0%
93%
79%
79%
93%
0%
17%
17%
3%
62%
24%
7%
48%
28%
34%
66%
83%
45%
52%
0%
3%
10%
3%
21%
0%
7%
0%
0%
0%
3%
0%
0%
3%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
97%
90%
90%
93%
79%
0%
10%
10%
3%
21%
Non-Teaching Questionnaire Summary
Percentage %
Strongly
Agree &
Agree
Disagree &
Strongly
Disagree
100%
Not
Answered
80%
Don’t Know
60%
Strongly
Disagree
40%
Disagree
20%
Agree
0%
Alford Academy
5230934
27
17
63%
Strongly
Agree
Centre Name
SEED Number
Quest. Issued
Quest. Input
Response Rate
47%
41%
0%
0%
12%
0%
88%
0%
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q8
I have ready access to appropriate administrative systems to carry out my work (as appropriate
to post).
All staff and pupils share mutual respect.
Pupils are well behaved.
I am involved in staff discussions about how to achieve school priorities.
I have good opportunities to be involved in decision-making processes.
Staff communicate effectively with each other.
Staff treat all pupils equally.
Support for pupils with additional support needs, including behavioural difficulties, is effective.
24%
18%
12%
12%
24%
24%
41%
59%
65%
53%
47%
65%
53%
41%
12%
12%
24%
29%
6%
12%
0%
0%
0%
6%
6%
0%
6%
0%
6%
0%
6%
6%
6%
6%
18%
0%
6%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
82%
82%
65%
59%
88%
76%
82%
12%
12%
29%
35%
6%
18%
0%
Q9
Q10
Q11
Q12
Parents are fully involved in the life of the school and their child’s learning.
I am aware of the school’s procedures relating to child protection.
Leadership at all levels is effective.
I have good opportunities for training.
18%
47%
29%
29%
53%
47%
59%
41%
6%
0%
0%
24%
0%
0%
0%
0%
24%
6%
6%
6%
0%
0%
6%
0%
71%
94%
88%
71%
6%
0%
0%
24%
Q1
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Note: Will not always sum to 100% due to rounding
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
Q10
Q11
Q12
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don’t Know
Not Answered
DISCLOSURE CONTROL APPLIED
Additional inspection evidence
Selected attainment information
Inspectors use this information together with a wide range of other information gathered
during the inspection to evaluate and report on young people’s overall achievement. It helps
inspectors and schools to understand how successful young people are in SQA
qualifications compared to young people nationally and to those in other schools which serve
young people with similar needs and backgrounds 1 . However, this is only one aspect of
young people’s achievement, and it is only by blending these results with a wide range of
other information, including achievement in the four capacities of curriculum for excellence 2 ,
the quality of learning in lessons and other activities, the impact of the curriculum, and the
extent to which learning needs are being met, that a well-informed evaluation of
achievement can be made. You can find this evaluation of young people’s overall
achievement in the report on the school, published on this website.
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) levels:
7: Advanced Higher at A-C/CSYS at A-C
6: Higher at A-C
5: Intermediate 2 at A-C; Standard Grade at 1-2
4: Intermediate 1 at A-C; Standard Grade at 3-4
3: Access 3 Cluster; Standard Grade at 5-6
Percentage of relevant S4 roll gaining awards by end of S4
2007
96
97
92
20083
99
95
91
English and Mathematics
@ Level 3
Alford Academy
Comparator schools1
National
2006
96
96
91
5+ @ Level 3 or better
Alford Academy
Comparator schools
National
97
95
91
93
96
91
97
95
90
5+ @ Level 4 or better
Alford Academy
Comparator schools
National
89
89
77
89
88
76
91
85
76
5+ @ Level 5 or better
Alford Academy
Comparator schools
National
53
47
35
49
46
33
57
43
34
Percentage of relevant S4 roll gaining awards by end of S5
2007
93
90
79
20083
89
89
78
5+ @ Level 4 or better
Alford Academy
Comparator schools1
National
2006
94
89
78
5+ @ Level 5 or better
Alford Academy
Comparator schools
National
66
57
45
67
59
46
57
59
45
1+ @ Level 6 or better
Alford Academy
Comparator schools
National
62
50
38
63
50
39
51
50
38
3+ @ Level 6 or better
Alford Academy
Comparator schools
National
43
32
22
44
33
22
29
34
22
5+ @ Level 6 or better
Alford Academy
Comparator schools
National
22
15
10
14
14
10
12
16
10
2007
69
59
47
2008 3
68
60
48
Percentage of relevant S4 roll gaining awards by end of S6
5+ @ Level 5 or better
Alford Academy
Comparator schools1
National
2006
56
63
48
1+ @ Level 6 or better
Alford Academy
Comparator schools
National
60
59
43
67
52
42
69
54
43
3+ @ Level 6 or better
Alford Academy
Comparator schools
National
42
43
30
50
41
29
50
41
30
5+ @ Level 6 or better
Alford Academy
Comparator schools
National
28
31
20
34
31
19
31
28
19
1+ @ Level 7 or better
Alford Academy
Comparator schools
National
20
20
13
19
20
12
22
17
12
More attainment information and other statistics for this school can be found on the Scottish
Schools Online Website http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/
1
The comparator schools taken into account in HMIE’s evaluations are those schools (up to 20) which are
statistically close enough to the school in terms of the key characteristics of the school population.
2
The four capacities are successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens, effective
contributors.
3
Pre Appeal