Arbroath Academy

Overview

The inspection team found a supportive climate for learning with very positive relationships between young people and staff. However, evaluations indicated that learning, teaching and assessment were ‘satisfactory’, while raising attainment and achievement was ‘weak’. Consequently, the school requires additional support and a further inspection within 12 months.

Strengths

• Senior leaders and staff have created a supportive climate where relationships are ‘very positive between young people and staff’.
• Young people are described as ‘polite, courteous and demonstrate a readiness to learn’.
• Students are developing important skills and attributes through participation in ‘well-planned out of class activities’.

Areas to improve

• Teachers need to develop a ‘shared understanding of high-quality learning, teaching and assessment’, including planning that offers ‘greater levels of challenge’.
• Staff must gather and use data on progress ‘more effectively to inform a range of strategies to raise attainment’, particularly for S1-S3 pupils.
• Senior leaders and staff need to continue developing an ‘aspirational culture across the school to raise attainment at all levels’.

Safeguarding

The report does not contain specific statements regarding safeguarding arrangements or outcomes.