Dornoch Academy

Overview

Inspectors visited Dornoch Academy in March 2023 and found a school with a "positive school culture and ethos" that supports young people to be "courteous, mature, and responsible learners." The report evaluates both "Learning, teaching and assessment" and "Raising attainment and achievement" as "good," noting that the school has the capacity to continue improving without further inspection visits.

Strengths

• The "solution focused approach" of senior leaders and staff ensures young people develop skills through participation in out-of-class activities.
• Staff hold "high aspirations" for learners and plan well to meet their needs within a supportive culture.
• Attainment in National Qualifications is "consistently in line with other schools" serving young people with similar needs and backgrounds across Scotland.

Areas to improve

• Senior leaders should share "highly effective practice across the school" to ensure all young people consistently experience high-quality learning, teaching, and assessment.
• Senior leaders should implement strategies to improve attainment and achievement, including setting "realistic, yet aspirational targets" for young people.

Safeguarding

The report does not contain specific commentary or separate evaluations regarding safeguarding arrangements.