Inspection of Dornoch Academy and the learning community surrounding the school

26th May 2009

As part of the inspectorate's new joined-up strategy for evaluating all of the educational provision of local authorities, separate reports are issued today on the inspection by HMIe of the quality of education at Dornoch Academy and community learning and development (CLD) in the surrounding area.

In a very positive school report, HMIe highlight well behaved and well-motivated pupils, imaginative and well-planned curricular provision, support for vulnerable young people, commitment of all staff and the leadership of the head teacher as particular strengths. In their visit inspectors found young people who enjoy learning, are achieving well and are treated fairly. They report that pupils contribute actively to the life of the school and the wider community and consistently achieve examination results above those of similar schools and the national average.

The development of skills for work through its vocational education programme, the range of its distance learning and Open University options as well as the confidence-building drama courses for all pupils from S1-4 are elements of the school's creative curriculum structure which are identified in the report. Inspectors praised staff for the outstanding arrangements to meeting the needs of young people with additional support needs and their quick response in addressing short-term barriers to learning for all pupils. Teaching approaches of most staff provide interesting and suitably challenging tasks to meet the needs of learners.

Inspectors found that the school is held in high regard by it's community. Successful partnerships provide motivating and enriching experiences for young people both during and out of school hours. The Parent Council and Pupil Council are identified as successful contributors in improving aspects of the amenities for the school and its community. HMIe found that staff make an exceptional contribution to pupil's learning out with school hours. HMIe acknowledge the thoughtful leadership of the head teacher and his vision for the school which places young people at the centre of its work.

As in all reports, HMIe suggest ways in which the school might sustain its agenda for school improvement and agreed with the school and education authority that they should continue to improve approaches to self-evaluation to ensure consistently high quality learning and teaching across the school and improve the attainment of English and mathematics in S1&2.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: "I am very pleased with the report, especially because everyone has shared in the commendation: staff, pupils, parents and community. It is a pleasing acknowledgement of the way ECS works together for the benefit of our pupils. There are still plenty of challenges ahead and I hope we can now use the insights of the inspection process to move forward to further excellence."

In only the second report of its kind in Highland evaluating the community learning and development activities, HMIe highlight particular strengths in the exceptional number of community groups and the level of community volunteering, very well developed school/community links and the high level of opportunities for young people and the strong community-led focus on improving the communities.

Inspectors report that young people living in the area have access to a wide range of learning experiences that support them to become included, confident, motivated and successful learners. They commented on the increased confidence of young people to take on more responsibility and become more active within their communities.

Adult learners too, HMIe report, are very keen to participate in learning opportunities. They highlight opportunities throughout the area for learners to gain further qualifications and report that some had got a better job as a result. However inspectors think that more could be done to make people aware of the opportunities available to them.

Community members are said to skilled, confident and very active. They meet the needs of the community very well and are ambitious for their communities. Significant contributions to improving the economic and cultural life of the area and community wellbeing are made by volunteers, community organisations, Dornoch Academy and its staff.

HMIe report that local groups provide a very good focus for improving communities. These groups are high level community assets for an area with a relatively small population and provide the community with a clear sense of direction.

There are good examples of listening to learners as a basis for improvement, but inspectors report this is not consistent. Self-evaluation needs to be established as a means of further improving services and communication of adult learning opportunities needs to be improved.

Inspectors agreed with the local authority the following areas for improvement: CLD providers will share knowledge and skills to provide monitoring and evaluation of progress, adult providers will improve how they promote learning opportunities in the area.

Councillor Fernie said: "We are delighted with this report, which although points out areas for improvement, also highlights the excellent projects and programmes delivered in the Dornoch catchment area by both the statutory agencies and the local community."

As a result of the very good quality of education provided by the school no further visits will be made in connection with this inspection. CLD inspectors have also ended the inspection process because of the good understanding providers have of their strengths and areas for improvement as well as the achievement of communities.