Quality indicators help schools, education authorities and inspectors to judge what is
good and what needs to be improved in the work of the school. You can find these
quality indicators in the publication How good is our school?1. Following the inspection
of each school, the Scottish Government gathers evaluations of three important quality
indicators to keep track of how well all Scottish schools are doing.
Here are the evaluations for Balfron High School.
Improvements in performance
Learners’ experiences
Meeting learning needs
very good
very good
very good
We also evaluated the following aspects of the work of the school.
The curriculum
Improvement through self-evaluation
very good
very good
A copy of the full letter is available on the Education Scotland website at
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/inspectionandreview/reports/school/primsec/Ba
lfronHighSchoolStirling.asp
1
How good is our school? The Journey to Excellence: part 3, HM Inspectorate of Education, 2007,
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/HowgoodisourschoolJtEpart3_tcm4-684258.pdf
Education Scotland
st
1 Floor, Endeavour House
1 Greenmarket
Dundee
DD1 4QB
T
01382 576700
F
01382 576701
E dundee@educationscotland.gsi.gov.uk
Textphone 01506 600236
This is a service for deaf users. Please do not
use this number for voice calls as this will not
connect.
www.educationscotland.gov.uk
Transforming lives through learning
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 %
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
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 their ability.
The school keeps me 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 them well.
My child benefits from school clubs and activities provided outside the classroom.
The school asks for my views.
The school takes my views into account.
The school is well led.
Overall, I am happy with the school.
School
Note: Will not always sum to 100% due to rounding
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
Q10
School
National
National
School
Q12
National
Q13
School
National
School
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don’t Know
Not Answered
Disagree &
Strongly
Disagree
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
Q10
Q11
Q12
Q13
School
Strongly
Agree &
Agree
School
Not
Answered
100%
Don’t Know
80%
Strongly
Disagree
60%
Disagree
40%
Agree
20%
National
Q11
Q9
Q8
Q7
Q6
Q5
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
0%
Balfron High School
5726034
250
220
88%
Strongly
Agree
Centre Name
SEED Number
Quest. Issued
Quest. Input
Response Rate
36%
48%
41%
32%
24%
65%
51%
34%
39%
24%
19%
40%
54%
54%
45%
49%
46%
53%
33%
46%
48%
40%
59%
55%
45%
43%
5%
5%
2%
8%
14%
1%
1%
5%
15%
9%
8%
1%
2%
0%
0%
0%
1%
1%
0%
0%
0%
2%
0%
0%
0%
0%
4%
2%
7%
10%
6%
0%
2%
10%
5%
7%
17%
13%
2%
0%
0%
1%
2%
2%
0%
0%
3%
0%
0%
0%
1%
0%
90%
93%
90%
79%
77%
99%
97%
81%
78%
83%
75%
85%
96%
6%
5%
3%
10%
15%
1%
1%
5%
16%
10%
9%
1%
2%
Pupil Questionnaire Summary
Centre Name
SEED Number
Quest. Issued
Quest. Input
Response Rate
Balfron High School
5726034
250
246
98%
Note: Will not always sum to 100% due to rounding
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don’t Know
Not Answered
Disagree &
Strongly
Disagree
The school is helping me to become more confident.
I enjoy learning at school.
I am getting along well with my school work.
Staff encourage me to do the best I can.
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 making the way we learn in school better.
Staff expect me to take 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.
I find it easy to talk to staff and they set a good example.
Staff make sure that pupils behave well.
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.
Strongly
Agree &
Agree
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
Q10
Q11
Q12
Q13
Q14
Q15
Q16
Q17
Q18
Q19
Not
Answered
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
100%
Don’t Know
80%
Strongly
Disagree
60%
Disagree
40%
Agree
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
Q19 Q18 Q17 Q16 Q15 Q14 Q13 Q12 Q11 Q10
20%
Strongly
Agree
Percentage %
0%
32%
29%
43%
50%
19%
45%
41%
20%
55%
43%
48%
38%
31%
42%
21%
15%
14%
41%
49%
59%
64%
53%
39%
50%
50%
49%
52%
43%
48%
46%
40%
59%
50%
44%
35%
44%
37%
39%
6%
5%
0%
5%
20%
4%
7%
18%
0%
5%
2%
11%
6%
4%
11%
26%
30%
15%
4%
1%
0%
0%
0%
2%
0%
1%
3%
0%
1%
1%
2%
0%
1%
3%
6%
5%
3%
2%
2%
2%
2%
5%
9%
1%
2%
6%
2%
2%
2%
10%
4%
3%
19%
16%
6%
2%
5%
0%
0%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
91%
93%
97%
89%
70%
95%
90%
72%
98%
91%
94%
78%
89%
92%
65%
50%
58%
78%
88%
7%
5%
0%
5%
22%
4%
8%
21%
0%
6%
3%
13%
6%
5%
15%
32%
35%
18%
6%
Teacher Questionnaire Summary
Balfron High School
5726034
77
75
97%
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
Q10
Q11
Q12
Q13
Q14
Q15
Q16
Q17
Q18
Q19
Q20
Staff regularly discuss how to improve achievement for all pupils at both stage and wholeschool level.
All pupils are given 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.
Staff regularly ask for pupils’ views on how their learning experiences could be improved.
Pupils take an active part in their learning.
Staff treat all pupils equally.
Staff and pupils respect each other.
The pupils are well behaved.
Support for pupils with additional support needs is effective.
Parents are fully involved in the school and their children’s learning.
I have been actively involved in developing the school’s vision and values.
I am actively involved in setting priorities to improve the school.
I have regular opportunities to help shape the curriculum by having staff discussions and
working groups.
I am aware of the school’s procedures for protecting children.
Leadership at all levels is effective.
Staff communicate effectively with each other.
I have good opportunities to take part in continuing professional development.
Staff across the school share good practice.
Note: Will not always sum to 100% due to rounding
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don’t Know
Not Answered
DISCLOSURE CONTROL APPLIED
Disagree &
Strongly
Disagree
Q1
Strongly
Agree &
Agree
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
Percentage %
100%
Not
Answered
80%
Don’t Know
60%
Strongly
Disagree
40%
Disagree
20%
Agree
Q20 Q19 Q18 Q17 Q16 Q15 Q14 Q13 Q12 Q11 Q10
Q9
Q8
Q7
Q6
Q5
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
0%
Strongly
Agree
Centre Name
SEED Number
Quest. Issued
Quest. Input
Response Rate
88%
9%
1%
0%
1%
0%
97%
1%
53%
44%
85%
80%
56%
88%
89%
88%
68%
61%
44%
61%
55%
67%
44%
49%
12%
17%
43%
11%
9%
11%
29%
36%
47%
25%
29%
29%
0%
5%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1%
1%
1%
7%
8%
3%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
3%
1%
3%
3%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
8%
5%
7%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1%
1%
1%
97%
93%
97%
97%
99%
99%
99%
99%
97%
97%
91%
87%
84%
96%
0%
5%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1%
1%
1%
7%
8%
3%
93%
67%
73%
73%
83%
5%
32%
25%
16%
15%
0%
0%
0%
8%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1%
1%
1%
0%
1%
0%
0%
0%
3%
1%
99%
99%
99%
89%
97%
0%
0%
0%
8%
0%
Non-Teaching Questionnaire Summary
Balfron High School
5726034
19
19
100%
Q12
Q11
Q10
Q9
Q8
Q7
Q6
Percentage %
National
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q8
Q9
Q10
Q11
Q12
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
I have access to the information I need to carry out my work.
All staff and pupils respect each other.
Pupils are well behaved.
I am involved in staff discussions about how to achieve school priorities.
I have good opportunities to be involved in making decisions.
Staff communicate effectively with each other.
Staff treat all pupils equally.
Support for pupils with additional support needs is effective.
Parents are fully involved in the school and their children’s learning.
I am aware of the school’s procedures for protecting children.
Leadership at all levels is effective.
I have good opportunities to take part in training activities.
Note: Will not always sum to 100% due to rounding
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
School
National
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
DISCLOSURE CONTROL APPLIED
Strongly Disagree
Don’t Know
Not Answered
Disagree &
Strongly
Disagree
School
Strongly
Agree &
Agree
100%
Not
Answered
80%
Don’t Know
60%
Strongly
Disagree
40%
Disagree
20%
Agree
Q5
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
0%
Strongly
Agree
Centre Name
SEED Number
Quest. Issued
Quest. Input
Response Rate
42%
16%
21%
16%
26%
21%
32%
63%
32%
89%
37%
21%
47%
53%
63%
58%
47%
63%
53%
26%
37%
5%
37%
37%
5%
21%
16%
21%
21%
11%
11%
0%
0%
0%
21%
32%
0%
0%
0%
5%
5%
5%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
11%
5%
5%
0%
0%
0%
0%
5%
11%
26%
5%
5%
0%
0%
5%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
5%
0%
0%
0%
89%
68%
84%
74%
74%
84%
84%
89%
68%
95%
74%
58%
5%
21%
16%
26%
26%
16%
11%
0%
0%
0%
21%
42%
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 backgrounds1. 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
English and Mathematics
@ Level 3
Balfron High
1
Comparator schools
National
2011
99
96
93
2012
101
97
94
20133
98
96
94
5+ @ Level 3 or better
Balfron High
Comparator schools
National
99
95
93
98
97
94
96
96
95
5+ @ Level 4 or better
Balfron High
Comparator schools
National
93
86
79
95
89
80
90
89
82
5+ @ Level 5 or better
Balfron High
Comparator schools
National
59
48
36
61
52
37
56
52
38
Percentage of relevant S4 roll gaining awards by end of S5
5+ @ Level 4 or better
Balfron High
1
Comparator schools
National
2011
88
89
81
2012
95
89
82
20133
97
91
84
5+ @ Level 5 or better
Balfron High
Comparator schools
National
65
64
51
80
64
52
87
68
54
1+ @ Level 6 or better
Balfron High
Comparator schools
National
65
59
45
77
58
47
81
62
48
3+ @ Level 6 or better
Balfron High
Comparator schools
National
47
40
26
55
40
27
54
43
28
5+ @ Level 6 or better
Balfron High
Comparator schools
National
30
20
12
33
22
13
33
23
13
Percentage of relevant S4 roll gaining awards by end of S6
5+ @ Level 5 or better
Balfron High
1
Comparator schools
National
2011
74
67
53
2012
68
68
55
20133
83
67
56
1+ @ Level 6 or better
Balfron High
Comparator schools
National
73
64
50
68
66
52
82
64
53
3+ @ Level 6 or better
Balfron High
Comparator schools
National
60
49
35
55
51
37
66
50
38
5+ @ Level 6 or better
Balfron High
Comparator schools
National
47
35
24
42
39
26
50
38
26
1+ @ Level 7 or better
Balfron High
Comparator schools
National
31
26
16
23
26
16
29
26
17
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 2013 Pre Appeal