A high school in East Renfrewshire has been given top marks by education inspectors.
St Ninian’s High School in Giffnock has received the best secondary inspection report since Education Scotland introduced new ratings in 2015.
The school was praised for the overall holistic education is provides and achieved two sector-leading “excellent” evaluations - one for leadership and another for raising attainment.
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It was also awarded two very good ratings for “learning, teaching and assessment” and “ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion”.
Head Teacher John Docherty was praised highly in the report, with the entire senior leadership team also credited with helping to deliver “outstanding outcomes” for pupils over a sustained period of time.
Mr Docherty, who has been at the helm of the school for 14 years, said: “It is an absolute privilege to be Head Teacher at St Ninian’s High School and this excellent inspection report is reward for all the hard work put in by staff, pupils and parents over many years.
“We always strive to provide the very best education for all our pupils, with a strong focus on giving them the skills they will need for later life.
“Our approach to preparing young people for employment involves a wide range of partners, and it is extremely pleasing to see this recognised by Education Scotland.
“Since our last inspection a decade ago the school has continued to improve and I’m absolutely committed to continuing to drive this school forward as we look to build on this latest endorsement, with everything we strive to achieve underpinned by gospel values, mutual respect and nurturing relationships across the school.”
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Inspectors scrutinised four areas of work during the week long visit to the school, where pupils regularly achieve some of the best exam results in the country.
Their report also highlighted the staff’s commitment to continuous professional learning, the highly motivated pupils who are determined to succeed and the “climate of aspiration” which has been created in the school.
Councillor Paul O’Kane, convener for Education and Equalities at East Renfrewshire Council, said: “This is an outstanding inspection report for St Ninian’s and I’m delighted for everyone at the school. To achieve two excellent evaluations under Education Scotland’s new inspection approach makes this the most impressive report across the whole country, which is a phenomenal achievement.
“It is also extremely pleasing to see so many areas of practice identified within the report as being worthy of being shared across the educational spectrum, especially the school’s creative approaches to maximising attainment whilst also enhancing young people’s awareness of strategies to promote positive mental health.”
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