A Craigmillar Journey to School Improvement

Lindsey Watt, Headteacher

Castleview 2004

HMIE – required a return visit

High exclusion rate

Low attainment

Unworkable behaviour policy

Poor Attendance (staff and pupils)

Disillusioned, sceptical staff

Loss of Headteacher = 2 x Acting Headteachers

School had not moved forward

2004 - Ensure Improvement in …

• the structure of the curriculum by establishing clear expectations about what pupils are to learn and how this will be planned and assessed;

• raising attainment in reading, writing and mathematics by ensuring appropriate levels of pace and challenge for all pupils in their learning;

• monitoring pupils’ progress to help further develop their learning experiences.

Investment in Leadership by Investment in Leadership by City of Edinburgh Council City of Edinburgh Council

SciennesSciennes

Castleview Castleview

to

All schools should reflect aspects of the

6 Columban Values

Awareness of the public perception of Craigmillar’s

Young People ?

Focus on the realityFocus on the reality

Create the Long-term Vision - A High Quality Learning Experience

Eradicate barriers to learning

• School Environment

• Home Environment

• Health & Well-Being

Culture of leadership and ownership Culture of leadership and ownership of learning at every levelof learning at every level

School Environment• Stabilise Staffing• Create Calmness, respect and love • Curriculum for Excellence a mandate for change• Development of T&L approaches• Planning & Assessment• Encourage and map a Journey of Learning • Teach transferable skills and apply in other contexts• Teamwork – CTs, PSAs, SfL, EAL, EWO, HOTS• Quality Continuous Professional Development• Promotion of partnerships in the City

Persevere - Persevere - Attainment and AchievementAttainment and Achievement

2011 Cabinet Secretary For Life Long Learning’s

Attainment Group

1. Increasing the ambition, aspiration and expectation of every child and young person.

2. Delivering excellent learning and teaching in every classroom, every day

3. Developing effective leadership at all levels

4. Engaging family and the wider community

5. Focus on Literacy and numeracy as

platforms on which to build future learning.

5. Using information intelligently to understand progress.

Partnerships• Cluster Primaries and High School• Richmond’s Hope• Nairn's Oatcakes• Community Citizenship Project• Castlegreen Care Home• Social Work• Community Police & Park Rangers• Edinburgh University School of Architecture• Queen Margaret University• Benmore Outdoor Centre• Historic Scotland • Families and Schools Together - FAST• Thistle Foundation

Historic Scotland Inspirational Teaching

Curriculum for Excellence in Action

Culture of Belief became the Norm

HMIE 2013

Improvements in performance Very good

Learners’ experiences Very good

Meeting learning needs Excellent

Curriculum Excellent

Improvements through self-evaluation

Very Good

Culture of leadership continues …Culture of leadership continues …

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE: TEAM Winners in this category needed to demonstrate that leaders who guide or direct others can be anyone, from the smallest child to the highest ranked person in the organisation. Teams can also lead the way. Leadership is about inspiring and motivating others and supporting others to achieve a common goal.

Get a Life! You don’t know what is around the corner!

New Challenges

Widen Transition Experiences Extend Broad General EducationDevelop Curriculum for ExcellenceIncrease Opportunities for Interdisciplinary LearningEradicate the poverty of ambition

What did I do today What did I do today that made a difference?that made a difference?

lindsey.watt@castleview.edin.sch.uk lindsey.watt@castleview.edin.sch.uk