HMIe Report On Portree High School Pupil Residence (14/03/06)

Portree High School’s Pupil Residence has received an excellent report from HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) and the Care Commission, who visited the residence in October and November 2005 as part of a programme of integrated inspections of mainstream school care accommodation services.

The inspection team said in their report that the climate and relationships in the hostel were very good. Pupils and staff clearly identified with the hostel and were proud to be associated with it. The arrangements for pastoral care were also very good. All staff were highly committed to pupils’ care and welfare. They provided very good support for pupils’ education and the hostel’s arrangements for supporting pupils’ personal and social development were very good. The residence manager provided very good leadership. She had considerable experience and a high level of professional competence in the management of care provision. She had very good relationships with staff, pupils, parents and the wider community and was highly regarded by them. The Area Education Manager provided very effective support for the management of the hostel which included termly meetings of residence managers.

In particular, HM Inspectors of Education and the Care Commission deemed that the key strengths of the residence were:

• The commitment of all staff to provide a safe, caring and supportive environment for pupils.
• Friendly and polite pupils who were supportive of each other.
• Effective liaison with senior managers and guidance staff at Portree High School and outside agencies in relation to the care and welfare of pupils.
• The support given by staff to pupils’ personal and social development.
• The very effective leadership of the residence manager.
   

Mrs Margaret Anne Beaton, the Residence Manager, said the report reflected the hard work and commitment of all the residence staff and the good relationships that exist between staff, pupils and parents. She thanked all those involved for their support.

Main points for action were:

• Address weaknesses in accommodation.
• Involve staff and pupils in reviewing the discipline policy and developing a consistent approach to implementing hostel rules.
• Build on existing good practice to further improve approaches to self-evaluation, taking account of the views of all stakeholders.
   

Laurence Young, The Highland Council’s Area Education Manager, was extremely pleased with the excellent work the residence manager and her staff were doing and the quality care given to pupils. He stated that the Education, Culture and Sports Service would be happy to take on board the action points recommended by HM Inspectorate of Education.