Coltness High

We wish to involve parents in all aspects of their child's progress through the school. It is in everyone's interest to establish good home/school links. We do this in a variety of ways, some formal and some informal. Parents' evenings these can either be information evenings or arranged to discuss your child's progress report. Newsletters are sent out to parents once per term with details of "what's on" within the school.

 

In 1997 a new PE block was opened and this has greatly extended the sports facilities offered in the school. In recent years the science, art, home economics and business education departments have been refurbished and computing facilities have been updated in computing, business education, art and technical. In addition a computer network has been established which allows access to the Internet from classrooms throughout the main building and there is at least one computer in each classroom. Our grounds also accommodate three playing fields, two football and one hockey as well as eight temporary classrooms.

We are extremely fortunate in the school that so many staff are willing to give of their time to work with pupils out-with the normal timetable. There are many sports activities available such as badminton, football, gymnastics, hockey, rugby, trampolining and volleyball. There is a wind band, keyboard club, choir and guitar and brass ensemble. Other activities that are available include astronomy, biology and chemistry clubs. There is also geography, history and chess clubs. There are many social events organised by the school such as S1 excursion, Christmas dances, Halloween party and a S6 formal.

In addition throughout the session many departments run excursions linked to their subject. In recent years there have been overseas holidays arranged during the summer holiday period, including an Italian trip organised by the art department. Music is a very important area of the school and we have re-introduced school concerts and school shows thanks to the efforts of many staff. We would encourage all pupils to get involved in at least one activity. It is a really good way of getting to know other pupils and helps develop social skills, both of which help to build confidence and ultimately raise achievement.

Outward Bound is a North Lanarkshire initiative, which has been very successful in the school. We have three members of staff who run this project which, this year, involves 30 of our S4 pupils. In consultation with guidance staff they select and work with the pupils prior to their attendance on the week's course in order that the pupils get the most from this experience. The course is run at Loch Eil, Fort William. Its intention is to develop pupil confidence and introduce them to new skills.

We believe that our school is part of a much wider community, extending through Wishaw to other parts of the country. Pupils, parents and staff work hard throughout the session to support the wider community through fund raising events. Links with local industry are well established through curricular activities such as work experience, world of work skills days and challenge of industry conferences. Informal links continue through mock interview evenings and extended work experience for senior students. Only very successful peer tutoring programme is part funded by Motherwell and Wishaw rotary and we have established a joint partnership with the staff and pupils of Clyde Valley and Our Lady's high schools. A number of the senior students involved in this programme have had their work recognised with the presentation of the Princess Diana Award.

In order to make the transfer of pupils from primary to secondary school as smooth as possible regular meetings are held throughout the session at which the assistant head teacher, the principal teacher support for learning and the head teachers of the four associated primaries are present. There are discussions of curricular matters and the procedures for transfer. In October we hold an informal parents' evening for primary seven pupils and their parents where all departments put on displays which are designed to give everyone indication of what is ahead of them at Coltness high. In February/March members of staff from support for learning and guidance visit the primary school and meet with the primary seven teacher to identify the needs of pupils and discus the progress of pupils coming to Coltness. In April/May a similar exercise is carried out in the primary schools from which pupils have made placing requests. In June all pupils attend a two-day induction period in Coltness. They are allocated to classes. The purpose of the visit is to let the pupils become familiar with the layout of the school as well as meeting their new classmates. We also hold an information evening for parents at which they have the opportunity to speak with those staff who will be most involved in monitoring their son/daughters progress ie guidance staff and members of the senior management team.

School roll for session 2007/2008

S1	S2	S3	S4	S5	S6	Total
162	198	183	177	123	64	907

Pupil roll statistics from Scottish Government census at September 2007.  Rolls are subject to change throughout the school session

National Test Results 5-14

 Percentage (%) of pupils attaining at least Level E by the end of S2

	2007	2006	2005	2004	2003
Reading	66.3	67.4	57.1	64.6	62.5
Writing	46.7	39.8	32.0	42.7	34.4
Mathematics	83.2	72.9	59.4	48.2	58.1

Percentage (%) Attendance

	2007	2006	2005	2004	2003
Attendance	88.4	89.5	88.8	87.8	87.4

Previous years attendance and absence figures

1998 - 2001
1999 - 2002

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Use the "External Links" box at the right to access the school's own website and HMI report.