Baldragon Academy

Overview

The inspection team visited Baldragon Academy in January 2023 and found that staff have a clear understanding of the local context, enabling them to provide "caring and targeted support" for young people. However, the report evaluates "Learning, teaching and assessment" as "weak" and "Raising attainment and achievement" as "unsatisfactory," indicating the school requires additional support and a further inspection within six months.

Strengths

• Leadership and staff possess a "clear understanding of the social, cultural, and economic context," which facilitates effective support for individuals and families.
• Collaborative efforts with partners provide diverse opportunities for success, including the "School of Sport," "Baldragon Barista Academy," and "Rural Skills Group."
• These initiatives help young people "develop important skills and qualities."

Areas to improve

• Develop a school culture underpinned by agreed values to promote "higher aspirations and expectations," specifically focusing on improving attendance, punctuality, and the attitudes of a minority of pupils.
• Create "more robust plans" to enhance learning and teaching across the school, ensuring all young people benefit from high-quality provision that meets their needs.
• Work with the local authority to improve attainment as an "immediate priority," particularly in S4, S5, and S6, and refine approaches for regularly reviewing progress.

Safeguarding

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