Staff and pupils at Campbeltown Grammar are excited to be moving forward in their new school building and to be making positive changes in light of the recommendations made by Education Scotland in their inspection report.
The head teacher, staff and pupils are looking forward to discussing the progress made when Education Scotland returns next month (March).
Since the initial visit, the school has received the Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) and the steering group, which leads this development, has produced a charter to help illustrate what is important at the school.
An extensive consultation of pupils, parents, staff and partners, led to some key words and values being identified and these are reflected in the charter.
Around 200 stakeholders participated in the consultation survey and provided suggestions for a statement which would, 'fully capture or articulate the school’s unique identity in a way which underpins the school values and gives overall direction to its work' - something Education Scotland suggested could be refreshed.
These suggestions have led to the following draft for Campbeltown Grammar’s ‘Vision and Values’ statement:
- Vision: Inspiring Achievement: Campbeltown Grammar School aspires to be at the heart of the South Kintyre community, providing consistent, high quality learning opportunities for all our young people and inspiring them to achieve their full potential.
- Aims: To welcome and encourage diversity and individuality and foster a shared commitment to respect for all, inclusion, honesty, equity, compassion and justice.
- To provide for the health and wellbeing of every member of our school community though effective engagement with parents and partners, ensuring our young people feel happy, safe, equal, valued and inspired to achieve their best.
- To develop resilience and determination in times of increasing pace and challenge through inspirational teaching, a supportive environment and an intrinsic desire for knowledge.
- To fully develop our young people's academic, social and emotional skills and ensure everyone leaves Campbeltown Grammar as responsible citizens, successful learners, effective contributors and confident individuals who are ready and eager to take on the next exciting steps in their lives.
A consultation survey on the proposed vision and values statement is available on the school’s website until the end of January. You can have your say by logging on to http://bit.ly/CGSVision2018.
Another major development at the school is a proposal to increase the number of National Qualifications that S4 to S6 pupils can study in an academic year.
This will involve an increase in the number of periods in a week to create time for six subjects with five periods a week.
Additional periods are required for compulsory ‘core’ subjects such as physical education; personal social and health education; and religious and moral education.
Head Teacher David Fyfe said: “There are two models being considered and, again, the school is very keen to hear your views.
'A short survey has been created for this purpose and you can participate by following this link http://bit.ly/CGSCurriculum.
'An information evening on the curriculum and progress so far has also been arranged for Wednesday 23 January at 7pm. Everyone in the community will be very welcome to attend.’
The school is keen to engage all of the South Kintyre community in its plans for further improvement.
Mr Fyfe added: 'I am determined to build on the school’s previous successes and, together with all the staff, pupils, parents and partners, ensure that Campbeltown Grammar School is at the heart of the community, inspiring achievement and equipping our young people with the knowledge and skills to lead happy and fulfilling lives.
'Participation of all concerned in future consultation surveys and information evenings is vitally important.'
Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said: “I visited the new Campbeltown Grammar School last year and I was very impressed. Not only is it a beautiful building for learning, but the pupils are a true credit to the school. It’s clear that Campbeltown Grammar lies very much at the heart of the local community and I look forward to seeing things continuing to move forward.”