Other Achievements 2011-12








Entertaining and successful Christmas Concerts.
Successful residential trips to Kindrogan (P5s) and Dalguise (P7s).
Hugely successful Diamond Jubilee and Olympic theme World
Sports Day events, as planned by Teacher Committees.
Pupils invited to sing with Drifters at the Music Hall, for the second
year.
Pupils worked in groups and designed some brilliant bridges as a
result of the Whole School Engineering Building Bridges
Competition.
School continues to support the King David School in Uganda. This
year we paid for cement flooring and plastering for their nursery walls
as a result of our Dress as You Please days.
Very supportive Parent Council and PTA – Successful Race Night
and pupil Halloween and Easter discos. Approx. £4,000 raised.
Parents are involved in pupil learning through successful annual
class Open Afternoons.
New School Improvement Priorities 2012-13
1. Self Evaluation: Senior management will continue rigorous
monitoring programme to maintain high standards of pupil
coursework.
2. Eco and Sustainable Development: Now that the Eco Garden is up
and running we will work to ensure it is used regularly. Further
training on Eco and Sustainable Development planned for teachers.
We continue to aim for Green Flag status.
3. Curriculum for Excellence:
Nursery – Establish new nursery location for groups 3 and 4. Ensure
seamless planning and quality of experiences for all nursery groups.
Mediated Learning – Teachers will embark on training that will result in
even higher quality learning experiences being planned for all pupils.
GIRFEC: Continue with inclusive practice for all pupils.
4. AiFL: Staff will continue to work with pupils on setting learning
targets. New format for Parents Evening in May to be developed.
5. Assessment and Moderation: New baseline assessment material
to be introduced from Authority, given that old 5-14 assessments
have been discontinued.
Education, Learning & Leisure
Balmedie School
Standards & Quality Report
2011-12
Improvement Plan
2012-13
Summary Report
This leaflet provides a summary of the information held in the school’s annual
Standards & Quality Improvement Plan (SQuIP).
The full report is available and provides a detailed insight into the quality of
education provided at Balmedie School.
Please note the full document is available to read at the school.
What is the purpose of the SQuIP Report?
 An annual report on self evaluation and progress made on achieving the
school aims and improvement plans.
 To share the school improvement agenda for the coming session.
 An opportunity to share achievements with children, parents and all
stakeholders.
 To celebrate success and identify priorities for next year.
How does the school Self-Evaluate?
The HM Inspectorate of Education publication “How Good is our School 3” is
designed to help staff in school to self-evaluate their performance. This is
done by examining Quality Indicators and key questions and scoring this on
a scale of 1 -6, where 1 = unsatisfactory, 2 = weak, 3 = adequate, 4 = good,
5 = very good and 6 = excellent.
Key Performance Outcomes for 2011/12:
1. Improvements in performance
Overall Rating for Balmedie School Very Good_
2. Impact on learners
Overall Rating for Balmedie School Very Good
3. Impact on the community
Overall Rating for Balmedie School Very Good
4. Delivery of education
5.
Overall Rating for Balmedie School Good
Leadership
Overall Rating for Balmedie School Very Good
The School Improvement Plan targets areas where we want to improve the
service we deliver. The improvement plan for 2011/12 is detailed in this flyer.
Attainment
The attainment measures used previously (5-14 assessments) are no longer
used in schools. The latest data available is for June 2010. However, the
Inspectors during their inspection in May confirmed that the school had
maintained these standards.
Figures are a percentage of the P3, P4, P6 and P7 roll attaining or exceeding
minimum levels for their stage:
Reading
95%
Almost all pupils have attained or exceeded
national expectations
Writing
84%
Most pupils have attained or exceeded national
expectations
Mathematics
94%
Almost all pupils have attained or exceeded
national expectations
Attainment remains above Aberdeenshire averages.
School Improvement Priorities for 2011/12
How well did we do?





Self Evaluation: Very good progress was made. Senior
Management Team developed an even more rigorous system of
monitoring pupil work. Standard of presentation in pupil’s written
work is now even higher.
Eco and Sustainable Education: Excellent progress made. Our
Eco Committee worked really hard with the local community and we
opened our Eco Garden, despite vandalism. First taste of our own
grown produce from the garden.
Curriculum for Excellence: Good progress was made again. Staff
took part in the Big Writing training with all Ellon schools. Teachers
and pupils received this positively. Higher standards of writing are
evident as a result. Continued effective use of Technology in school.
iPods being used throughout school.
Assessment is for Learning (AiFL): Very good progress. Pupil’s
are aware of what they need to work on to improve their learning.
Peer and self assessment continues across the school. Learning
Intentions and Success Criteria are shared across the school.
Assessment and Moderation: Good progress made. Teachers
shared standards of pupil writing in school and with Ellon schools.