Lasswade High School Standards & Quality Report Summary, September 2016
KEY QUESTION 1: How well do children learn and achieve?
Attainment & Learners Experiences
Headlines: Existing Strengths
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Improved attainment trends in SQA 2013, SQA 2014 and SQA 2015
SQA Senior Phase Implemented & Tracking in Senior Phase introduced
Assessment is for Learning embedded in majority of Departments &
Classrooms
Innovative Teaching & Learning evidenced in most Departments e.g. use of
iPads
Extra-curricular activity continues to be a key strength
Partnership work & wider achievement: Duke of Edinburgh, Princes Trust,
School of Rugby, Army Cadet Force, College Partnerships, LuL, YASS.
Improved Positive Destinations statistics.
Attainment Profile of Lasswade High School Centre
SQA
Session
S4 5+
Level 3
S4 5+
Level 4
S4 5+
Level 5
S5 1+
Level 6
S5 3+
Level 6
S5 5+
Level 6
S6 1+
Level 7
2010
92
80
34
41
21
8
17
2013
91
82
38
43
24
8
17
2014
94
89
41
54
32
17
19
2015
91
88
40
58
37
19
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Attainment Progress Summary 2014-15
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Maintained generally improved performance from 2010-14 in SQA 2015 at S4
Improved performance in SQA 2015 at S5 & S6
Positive 3 year and 5 year improvement trends
Above Virtual Comparator in ‘Improvement Trends’ in S6 for 3+ & 5+ Higher
Favourable performance within INSIGHT* in some Dashboard Measures
Tracking introduced for S4-6
Areas for improvement identified via Department Improvement Planning
More detailed Plan in Art & Design for National 5 resulted in improved attainment
Further progress with ‘Wider Achievement’ e.g. Saltire Awards, DofE, YASS.
CONABOR Merit Achievement Award established: 1st Prizegiving, June 2015.
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Attainment Priorities for Improvement.
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Implement New SQA Higher and Advanced Higher (SIP = School Improvement
Plan Priority)
Introduce an Assertive Mentoring Programme (SIP)
Further Analysis of INSIGHT Virtual Comparator School Performance:
Investigate performance of Boys and High SIMD Students & create Action Plan.
Review implementation of National Qualifications in certain subject areas.
Introduce Attainment Action Plan for improvement in one additional subject
area.
*INSIGHT is the new Government Toolkit to analyse and evaluate school performance.
Learners Experiences Progress Summary 2014-15
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Improvements via new Pupil Voice Forums (Take 5s) esp S1-2 & S6 Head Team
On-going progress with Assessment is for Learning in majority of departments
& classrooms
On-going innovation via Technology in Teaching & Learning (T&L)
Initial progress with Interdisciplinary Learning ‘pilots’
Senior Leadership (SLT) and ‘peer’ classroom visit programme
Staff Development (CLPL) on Visible Learning
CLPL from Improvement Partnership Cross-authority In-service programme.
Learners Experiences Priorities for Improvement.
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Introduce Visible Learning to Lasswade High School (SIP)
Ensure that all young people are challenged in their learning, with particular
reference to The Broad General Education. (SIP)
Ensure Learning Visits are extended across departments.
KEY QUESTION 2: How well does the establishment support children to develop and
learn?
Curriculum & Meetings Learners Needs
Headlines: Key Existing Strengths
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Revised Curriculum Structure
Improved CfE entitlements via the new Personal Support Programme
Delivery of GIRFEC Agenda within Pupil Support and beyond
Partnership Working e.g. Agencies, CLD, Youth Work, Army Cadet Force,
School of Rugby, Confucius Hub, Light up Learning
Flexible & Alternative Curriculum provision
Pastoral Transition programmes.
Curriculum Progress Summary 2014-15
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INTRODUCING THE SENIOR PHASE - new SQA Awards in S4
Planning for new Highers in S5
Introduction of the Queen Margaret University Academies and Edinburgh
College Academy for S5/6 students
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Opening of the Midlothian Confucius Hub
Reviewing and improving CfE Structures - debate about an improved
curriculum for our pupils. Focus on by-passing Maths & English at National 5.
Continued focus on improving T&L - peer observations, learning with iPads,
introduction of Visible Learning, responding to young people (student voice)
Introducing a more coherent Student Tracking Programme – improved use of
management information system for S1-3 and S4-6 and Department Personal
Learning Planning.
Curriculum Priorities for Improvement.
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Introduce a S1 Personal Support Programme including Didbook (SIP)
Develop improved feedback to pupils about their work in the Broad General
Education (S1-3) (SIP)
Introduce Career Ready Mentoring & Support Programme
Introduce a more rigorous Tracking Programme in S1-3 and improve
assessment & moderation in the Broad General Education (BGE) (SIP)
Improve pace & challenge in the BGE. (SIP)
Meeting Learners Needs Progress Summary 2014-15
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Positive data e.g. Level 4 Attainment trends & improved Positive Destinations
Improved Individual Education Plans via introduction of Person Centred
Planning
Behaviour Review implemented
Engagement with Government’s School Improvement Partnership Programme
in relation to planning for S1 Personal Support Programme 2015-16
Introduction of stage based S4 Consultation Meetings for vulnerable students
Restorative Practice Group continues to provide innovative staff development
and support
Increased capacity: improved resources planned & identified e.g. additional
Leadership posts in Pastoral and Community posts
Engagement with INSIGHT in relation to four Dashboards and ‘Closing the Gap’
The ASN (Learning Support) Student Forum as part of improving ‘pupil voice’.
Meeting Learners Needs Priorities for Improvement.
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Introduction of Confident Staff, Confident Children on staged implementation
Introduction of S1 Personal Support Programme including Didbook (SIP)
Improved staffing levels in Pupil Support including additional Principal
Teacher post
Assertive Mentoring Programme for S4-6 students (SIP)
Pastoral Pupil Support Attainment Review Meetings, October 2015
Improved strategic focus for House Meetings for all Year Groups
‘Closing the Gap’ School Activity Session, October 2015
Extend achievement to more young people via CONABOR & Awards (SIP)
Ensure that all young people are challenged in their learning. (SIP)
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Key Question 3: How well does the establishment improve the quality of its work?
Self-evaluation & Leadership
Headlines: Key Existing Strengths
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Revised Whole-school & Department self-evaluation process
Revised Review Meetings
Improved ‘student voice’ in determining the improvement agenda
Improved parental involvement via Parent Council
Working Groups leading & managing change
New ‘good practice’ PTs Meetings & CLPL opportunities such as ‘Take 10’
Classroom Visit programme
Commitment to improvement from SLT including Extended SLT Away Day.
Self-evaluation Progress Summary 2014-15
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Staff contribution to enquiry, debate & discussion; identifying ‘good practice’
& taking forward action points e.g. School Improvement Working Group
Improving the Student Voice - supporting our pupils ‘learning how to learn’,
responding to their ideas for school improvement – ‘you said, we did’ agenda
SLT Self-evaluation ‘Focused Work’ including positive response to HMIe:
Increased Expectations & Extended Leadership Team interim evaluations of
SIP and Extended Leadership Team ‘Away Day’
Positive feedback from Midlothian Council’s Validated Self-Evaluation
Programme highlighted in HMIe Follow-through Inspection, January 2015.
Self-evaluation Priorities for Improvement.
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Introduce formal review for three Departments over the course of 2015-16. (SIP)
Leadership Progress Summary 2014-15
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Increased Distributed Leadership opportunities
Planning to develop greater awareness of and engagement with the new GTCS
(General Teaching Council of Scotland) professional standards.
Improved use of School Working Groups
Introduction of revised PRD (Professional Review for Teachers) around new
GTCS Professional Standards
Positive feedback from Midlothian Council VSE Programme and HMIe Followthrough Inspection, January 2015.
Leadership Priorities for Improvement.
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Improve communication across the school. (SIP)
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Summary of Key Improvements in Session 2014-15
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Successful ‘sign-off’ from HMIe Follow-through Inspection via
Validated Self-Evaluation Exercise with Midlothian Council, January
2016.
Community Project set up and established with key aims to reduce
Exclusions and provide increased Positive Destinations for our most
vulnerable and challenging students.
Revised Behaviour Policy in place with aim of improving wholeschool ethos based around our Vision & Values.
Appointment of additional Youth Worker & expanding curriculum
options via the Community Project e.g. Army Cadet Force, Skills for
Work options.
Development of Army Cadet Force – introduction of Leadership
Award at SCQF Level 5 Qualification for students involved.
Development of Tots 2 Teens Programme – introduction of SCQF
Level 5 Qualification for students involved.
Official Opening of Midlothian Confucius Hub in Lasswade High
School and Chinese Immersion Courses for staff & students.
Learning Community Primary School Postgraduate Student Mandarin
Teaching Programme with Edinburgh and Heriot Watt University in
partnership with our Primary Schools.
Launch of Visible Learning and several CLPL INSET (Inservice) and
SAT (Staff Development Activity Time) Sessions focused on
Teaching & Learning and Visible Learning enhancing staff
professionalism, collegiality and improved pedagogy (Teaching).
SIPP (School Partnership Programme) INSET and joint working
between Lasswade High School, Ross High School and North
Berwick High School.
Planning for launch of Personal Support Programme and Didbook
(Student Web-based ICT Support Programme) Training for all Staff &
S1 Students. Planning for use of this programme for S3 Personal
Learning Plans in May 2016.
Positive Destinations – highest in Midlothian and above our Virtual
Comparator Schools.
S5/S6 Attainment Levels – highest since STACs introduced. In line
with or above our Comparator School in some areas and levels.
Light Up Learning (LuL) Programme (Postgraduate University Mentor
Programme) and positive feedback from students and parents in
terms of ambition agenda and other DREAM values.
Launch of Sports Hub and partnership working e.g. School of Rugby
at Lasswade. Development of School of Rugby – introduction of
BASE Qualification at Level 4 and 5 in Rugby.
Silver Health & Wellbeing Award for Sport at Lasswade High School.
Expansion/growth of Nursery Programme and highly successful Care
Inspection Report.
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School Improvement Priorities 2015-16
Action Point 1. IMPROVE OUR CURRICULUM:
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1.1 Delivering SQA Senior Phase Priorities – New Higher and Advanced Higher Courses
1.2 Improving our BROAD GENERAL EDUCATION in S1-3
Planning, Assessment and tracking student progress including Significant Aspects of
Learning
Improving Connections across the curriculum (Interdisciplinary Learning)
1.3 Enhancing the development of Scotland’s Young Workforce (DYW)
Enhancing & developing Curriculum Partnerships
Further developing Skills for Life, Work and Learning
Action Point 2. IMPROVE LEARNING & Teaching
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2.1 Continue our focus on improving LEARNING via Visible Learning: (this includes
improving Feedback, Assessment for Learning, Challenge, Co-operative Teaching &
Learning, Tracking attainment & achievement and Technology to enhance learning)
2.2 Introduce Department Validated Self Evaluation Programme
Three Departments and/or Focus Areas per Session outlined on School Calendar
Action Point 3. IMPROVE THE SUPPORT FOR OUR PUPILS:
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3.1 Full implementation of the CONABOR Award
Rigorous analysis of Awards by Students, Class and House
Use of Calendar Focus weeks and Assemblies
3.2 Implementation of Personal Support
S1 Focus Programme including enhanced Tutoring and use of Didbook
Assertive mentoring in the Senior Phase
3.3 Confident Staff, Confident Children
CLPL Programme delivered on 3-year implementation schedule
Re-energise Lasswade HOUSE system: Tutoring & Identity.
GUIDANCE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF School Improvement AT ALL LEVELS = The 4 C’s
Collaboration; Continuing Lifelong Professional learning (CLPL); Consistency; Communication.
The detail of this Plan is outlined on the School Website.
A Parent Summary is available via The Parent Council.
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