Glenboig primary HMI follow up report

December 2003

HM Inspectors (HMIe) published a report on standards and quality in Glenboig Primary School in February 2002.  In April 2002, North Lanarkshire Council in collaboration with the school prepared and published an action plan indicating how they would address the main points for action in the HMIe report within a two year period.

A North Lanarkshire Council Quality Improvement Officer assessed the extent to which the school was continuing to improve the quality of its work, and evaluated progress made in responding to the main points for action in the original report.

The headteacher and staff had worked effectively as a team to take forward the recommendations contained in the report.  Parents were involved at all stages of development and received improved information about the work of the school.  Assessment was used effectively to determine progress and plan pupils' next steps in learning that had resulted in improved attainment.  Systematic monitoring established by the headteacher had ensured a clear vision for the long-term developments needed in the school.

The school was now well placed to sustain and build on the effective developments achieved.

3.  Progress towards the main points for action

The initial inspection report published in February 2002 identified four points for action.  This section evaluates the progress made with each of the action points and the resulting improvements for pupils and other stakeholders.

3.1 The school should consult with parents more regularly and provide them with more information about its work.

The school had met this recommendation.

• The school had used national quality indicators to audit practice and identify areas for improvement.  An interim report on pupil progress had been sent out to parents, describing next steps in learning and including a parental response form.  Newsletters had been improved and informed parents well of school life and of the curriculum.  Times of parent association meetings had been changed to allow as many parents as possible to attend.  Curricular workshops had been offered and very helpful leaflets issued.  At some stages the pupils produced their own curricular information leaflets for parents.  Parents attended assemblies.  A parental questionnaire indicated 100% satisfaction with information from the school.  The school had been awarded an Eco flag for its work to conserve the environment and parents were involved in the work leading to the award.

3.2  Teachers should make better use of assessment to plan next steps in learning.

The school had made very good progress towards meeting this point for action.

• Attainment had improved in reading, writing and mathematics. All staff had attended training on assessment. Forward plans and curricular policies clearly highlighted assessment. Planners in mathematics had improved, and indicated assessment and evaluation. Recording of assessment had improved and the use made of assessment to plan teaching was now good. The school used assessment information to make decisions on the progress of individual pupils. All staff were aware of the recent research on assessment.

3.3  In consultation with the staff the headteacher should manage change by focussing on longer term key priorities for improving the school.

The school had made good progress towards meeting this point for action.

• The school had organised its response to this point for action under the National Priorities.  Under "Attainment and Achievement" the school looked at all aspects of reading and had improved the programme and learning and teaching.  Writing had improved through staff training and changes in policy.  The policy for mathematics emphasised attainment, assessment and next steps in learning.  The school intended to continue the improvements in attainment and build on its achievements.  Under "Framework for Learning", staff training had been delivered to all members of staff and the council's programme for review and development had been fully implemented.  Continued professional development was encouraged and supported.  Parents had been appropriately involved.  The school had a valuable policy on promoting a positive school. "Inclusion and Equality" was embedded in the school.  A new programme in personal and social development had been implemented.  In "Learning for Life" the school had improved Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills for all pupils.  A pupil council had been set up and the pupils had all undertaken work for the Eco school award.  Pupils had taken part in enterprise activities

3.4  The headteacher should extend her approaches to monitoring and evaluation and make them more systematic.

The school had met this point for action.

• The headteacher and staff had used national quality indicators to review its practice and to determine future improvements.  A monitoring calendar had been agreed.  All teachers used tracking procedures for pupil attainment and predicted dates for national testing.  The tracking sheets also indicated pupils who needed additional support from the area learning support teacher.  Classroom observation visits had been made by the headteacher and feedback given to teachers.  The structure and balance of the curriculum had been reviewed and timetables had been monitored by the headteacher.  Pupil's work had been monitored and feedback given to them.  Procedures for monitoring were rigorous and systematic.

4. Conclusion

With effective support from North Lanarkshire Council Quality Development Service, Glenboig Primary School had responded well to the recommendations of HMIe and had improved pupil attainment and achievement across the curriculum.  All staff had been fully involved in the development of the action plan and had worked hard to support the headteacher to undertake the recommendations within the agreed timescale.  The school is well placed to continue the improvements achieved to date.  North Lanarkshire Council will not publish further reports in relation to the 2002 HMIe report.

Michael O'Neill, Director of Education                                  
Cllr Charles Gray, Convener (Education Committee)

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