Education Scotland has today written to all parents and carers in Sandwick Junior High School following their visit to the school in June 2022.
Their letter acknowledges progress that has been made from their previous inspection in May 2019, including the refreshed vision and values for the school, the development of new courses and programmes and the introduction of curriculum frameworks to support teachers with their planning. Children and young people also have a better understanding of the purpose of their learning compared to the 2019 inspection.
The letter also recognises the challenges the school has faced dealing with all the aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years.
There continues to be weaknesses within the school related to the four recommendations from the 2019 inspection - around strategic leadership, the curriculum, learning, teaching and assessment, and approaches to checking the progress of children. Education Scotland have concluded that the school needs more time to take forward the recommendations from the 2019 inspection and they will carry out another visit to the school within the next nine months.
Chair of the Education & Families Committee, Councillor Davie Sandison: “A huge amount of work is going on within the school, with the support of the local community and the Council’s Children’s Services, to progress the required improvements. There is a real unity, purpose and desire within the Sandwick Junior High School community to improve the school.”
The Council’s Education & Families Committee will receive a full report on the Education Scotland findings and progress since June 2022 at their next committee meeting in November.