Firpark Special School - Secondary

Overview

Education Scotland inspectors visited Firpark Secondary School in May 2024, finding a school where young people are well-supported and engaged. The report highlights positive relationships and good progress in learning, concluding that the school has the capacity to continue improving without further inspection visits.

Strengths

• "Positive relationships between young people and staff" create a "calm learning environment" where pupils are "engaged and motivated in their learning."
• Young people are "supported well to develop their skills, particularly in literacy and English," with many gaining an "increasing number of National Qualifications."
• Pupils develop skills to become "confident, successful, effective and responsible," which supports them in accessing "positive destinations after school."
• The school’s work in "Learning, teaching and assessment" and "Raising attainment and achievement" is evaluated as "good."

Areas to improve

• Senior leaders must improve teachers' understanding of "national standards in moderation of assessment" to help young people "make better progress in learning."
• Staff should provide a "greater range of opportunities for young people to get involved in the life and work of the school" to further develop their leadership skills.

Safeguarding

The report does not explicitly detail safeguarding arrangements, though it notes that inspectors "talked to parents/carers and young people" and worked closely with the headteacher and staff during the visit.