PUPILS at Hermitage Academy must have a stronger voice in shaping the direction of their school, according to Scotland’s education watchdog.

Education Scotland inspectors have also hailed the progress made by the Helensburgh school under head teacher Robert Williamson, with its inspectors having made a return visit earlier this year.

An initial visit in February 2017 resulted in an average report card being published three months later, with leadership of change graded ‘weak’.

Mr Williamson took charge at the school in October of that year and Education Scotland’s new report says he has “won the confidence and respect of staff and parents”.

The inspectors are now looking for Hermitage to give its young people more of a say, and for progress to be speeded up on further improvements which have taken place in the last two years.

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The report, by inspector Carol McDonald, said: “Young people need a stronger voice in school improvements. The pupil councils in junior and senior school have not had a strong influence on securing changes on behalf of young people in the past year.

“The Leadership Academy provides a renewed approach which is welcomed by senior pupils. The focus on developing skills and attributes supports individuals whilst also providing a way for young people in S6 to make positive contributions to the life and work of the school.

“As planned, these opportunities now need to be built in from S1 to provide all young people with school leadership opportunities.

“Continuing to strengthen communications, both within the school and with parents, remains a priority.

“Staff need to continue to improve the quality and consistency of approaches such as the use of digital platforms to inform parents of the progress of their children.

“Reviewing how and when reports are sent home should include the views of staff, parents and young people. Accurate, timely and reliable information needs to be a key feature of all communications.”

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On Mr Williamson’s impact since arriving at the school, Ms McDonald said: “Strategic leadership has improved with senior leaders and middle leaders working together well to have a better overview of the school.

“Staff are feeling more included and involved. Working together, they are playing a stronger role in taking forward school improvements.

“Weekly meetings of middle leaders are providing them with a useful forum for ensuring better coherence in the work being taken forward across departments.”

Ms McDonald added that responses to a questionnaire which took place alongside the inspectors’ visit showed “clear improvements” in the views of staff and parents.

In the parents’ survey, when asked to rate the statement “my child likes being at this school”, 86 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed, compared to 78 per cent in 2017.

Ninety per cent also agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that “staff treat my child fairly and with respect”, also an eight per cent jump on two years previously.

As part of the staff questionnaire, 93 per cent of those who responded either strongly agreed or agreed with “I find it rewarding to be a member of staff at this school”. This figure was a 19 per cent increase on 2017.

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Ms McDonald also said: “The school has made significant progress in improving the range of learning available, especially at the senior phase.

“Consultations with staff, parents and young people explored different curriculum models. The new curriculum model aims to increase depth through providing more time for learning for all year groups.

“Young people in S4 now have seven choices for courses leading to qualifications. The school provides a range of helpful information on the curriculum on the school website.

“Providing an overview of the curriculum would be helpful in supporting parents to have a good understanding of the outcomes of the range of recent work.”

Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said: “The head teacher at Hermitage Academy has worked extremely hard over the last 12 months to gain the confidence and respect of staff and parents, so I am delighted that this has been recognised by inspectors.

“The report highlights the significant progress the school has made in improving the range of learning available, especially at the senior phase, and the positive relationship it has with its partners, colleges and local businesses.

“Inspectors praised the growing range of SCQF levels available and the number of skills-based courses on offer to support young people’s choices for specialisation in S3.

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"This is extremely important as there are a number of positive pathways available to our young people, so it is encouraging to see the options that Hermitage pupils are being given to help them to access these.

“I am very pleased with the positive progress that has been made at the school and have no doubt that things will continue to improve in the months ahead.

"We want the same success for our young people as parents do.

"We have hard working staff, and pupils to be proud of, who together are achieving often award winning success.

"Together we will continue to make improvements to ensure that we deliver an education service that works for everyone.

"We will continue to work hard to make our vision happen – ambition, excellence and equality for all.”