Inverness’s Charleston Academy inspection by Education Scotland notes ‘pattern of decline’ in key literacy measurements during inspection of the Highland Council school
Extra support is needed to make “necessary improvements” at an Inverness secondary school - particularly in relation to boosting pupils’ attainment levels.
That’s the conclusion of education inspectors in a newly-published report following a visit to Charleston Academy back in March.
Falling pupil attendance, historic staff recruitment issues and a “pattern of decline” in key literacy measures among school leavers between 2018 and 2023 have been cited as factors behind a “weak” inspection rating at the school for its work to raise attainment and achievement.
However, the school also received a “satisfactory” score for the quality of its learning, teaching and assessment when inspectors from Education Scotland released their latest report on Tuesday.
And despite issues with attainment, which they believe will take time to reverse, inspectors also noted a number of strengths during their visit.
They also noted that the current headteacher, who was appointed in 2023, “has a clear vision for improving learning, teaching and assessment” and that this followed a period of previous “instability” during which there were not only five headteachers in just six years but also “significant staff absences and vacancies”.
In her report, inspector Carolanne Calderwood-Glassford, said: “Senior leaders acknowledge that further work is required to raise attainment across the BGE and senior phase. Senior leaders report that young people’s attendance has been below previous levels and the national average in the past few sessions. This has impacted on the quality of learner attainment.
“Young people’s attainment has also been affected adversely by the significant recruitment challenges across a majority of curricular areas. Senior leaders are currently implementing improved systems to monitor young people’s progress and attainment.
“They are considering approaches to use this data effectively to inform impactful interventions so that all young people attain well. Staff are currently strengthening their presentation policy to ensure that young people are taking the appropriate course level and then completing their course with an award.
“It is too soon to measure the impact of this work on addressing gaps in young people’s attainment as these approaches are at a very early stage.”
Issuing her recommendations, she added: “As a result of our inspection findings, we think that the school needs additional support and more time to make necessary improvements particularly in relation to young people’s attainment.
“We will liaise with The Highland Council regarding the school’s capacity to improve and how the local authority will continue to support school improvement.”
She added that a further inspection of the school will be held within 18 months, and that the details of the current inspection will be discussed with Highland Council.
Elsewhere in the report, the inspection team found a number of strengths in the school’s work.
This included pupils who “are friendly, articulate and willing to learn” and who also enjoy “mutually positive and respectful relationships with staff in a calm learning environment”.
They added: “All young people’s learning of Gàidhlig (Gaelic) in S1 and S2 gives them an insight into the value of the language and culture. It is increasing the total number of learners of Gàidhlig at Acadamaidh Bhaile Thearlaich.
“The headteacher has a clear vision for improving learning, teaching and assessment. Young people’s learning experiences are improving through teachers working together to agree an effective learning and teaching standard.”
A number of areas were also identified for improvement and were discussed with the headteacher and a council representative.
The report noted: “Senior leaders should work with staff to improve attainment across curriculum areas in S1 to S3. They also need to improve young people’s attainment in the senior phase, particularly in numeracy and overall outcomes by S6.
“Staff need to develop a shared understanding of standards and more effective assessment approaches across the school to make more reliable judgements on young people’s progress.
“Senior leaders and staff should continue to develop high-quality learning, teaching and assessment with a focus on meeting the needs of all young people. Strategies for targeted support should be consistently used in classrooms to meet the needs of all young people.
“Senior leaders should ensure that young people’s Gàidhlig learning is more clearly part of strategic approaches to ensuring best outcomes for young people. This should continue to build on the strengths to increase the numbers achieving a qualification in Gaelic (Learners).”
