HMIe Report on Dingwall Academy
A very positive and encouraging report has been produced by HMIe on the 1,020- pupil Dingwall Academy. A range of strengths was identified throughout the school with the following being seen as key strengths: -
• Flexible use of the curriculum and very effective input by Support Staff in meeting the needs of specific groups and individual pupils.
• Pupils’ personal and social development and high overall standards of behaviour.
• The celebration of pupils’ achievements.
• Links with parents, the community and support organisations.
• The leadership provided by the Rector.
The single weak area identified by the Inspectors related to the accommodation and facilities at the school with some aspects being unsatisfactory. These defects should be rectified through the completion of the new Dingwall Academy in May 2008. Positive comments were made relating to the library and the provision of ICT.
The inclusive practices of the school were seen to be very good and the report states: “The school’s wide- ranging links with external support services helped it to provide an inclusive environment and ensure the progress of pupils with additional needs.”
The Inspectorate also identified two main points for action, noting that the school should raise pupils’ attainment by ensuring that all teachers -
• Offer pupils specific advice on improving their work, develop pupil skills of independent thinking and working in groups and issue regular and appropriate homework; and
• Match course work and activities more closely to pupils’ needs and prior attainment.
Rector of Dingwall Academy, Mr Graham MacKenzie, said: “I am extremely pleased with the report in that it reflects well on the huge amount of hard work put in by all staff and pupils in the school. The last few years have been a time of great change in Dingwall Academy and it is to the great credit of all involved that these changes have been perceived to be successful by the Inspectorate. As far as the two main action points are concerned these indeed reflect a national agenda for improvement and we are already working on these aspects through initiatives such as Assessment is for Learning and a Curriculum for Excellence. I am particularly happy that the excellent contribution of pupils in the senior school is highly praised.”
The HMI team commented that “The school was very welcoming. In almost all classes, staff-pupil relationships were good or very good and pupils behaved well. The morale of staff was high” and “The school strongly promoted responsibility and citizenship especially amongst senior pupils.”
The School Board and PTA were praised for supporting the life and work of the school. The leadership of the school also received praise. The Rector was commended for his “Very considerable influence on the school’s ethos, pupils’ welfare and partnership with the community.” It further commented,” He had led the school very effectively through a period of major changes in staffing and management structures.” and “The four depute headteachers fulfilled their individual remits well or very well and were viewed positively by staff.”
Mr John Gill, Chair of the school board, said: “Dingwall Academy School Board is very pleased with this very positive report. It is particularly pleasing in the context of the many changes that have been taking place in recent times. The school lost a significant number of key, experienced and highly valued staff all at around the same time, which coincided with a forward looking restructuring into faculties rather than departments. This is now bedding in well. Considerable extra demands have also been imposed in the development of the new school, although this is a most welcome inconvenience. The whole school community is to be congratulated on its performance, especially given the poor quality of accommodation and facilities so rightly identified in the report.
“The process the authority has for progressing the main action points, and the way in which this will be communicated to all parents is welcomed. The attainments section highlights important improvements, some excellence and identifies where action is needed. Most of the action areas had already been identified and are already being addressed.
“The whole school and the authority should be rightly proud of this report. The new school will be a major boost for the whole area. All things considered, the future for Dingwall Academy looks very bright indeed.”