Hamilton School for the Deaf

Overview

Education Scotland inspectors visited Hamilton School for the Deaf in May 2023 and found the school to be performing well across all evaluated quality indicators. The report highlights a “strong sense of community” and a “child-centred culture” that supports children’s confidence and achievement. Inspectors expressed confidence that the school has the capacity to continue improving, meaning no further visits will be made in connection with this inspection.

Strengths

• The headteacher has created a “strong sense of community” and supports staff effectively to take forward improvement priorities.
• “Strong relationships between adults and children” help pupils to be “confident, happy and achieve well.”
• A “child-centred culture” underpinned by “Deaf awareness and Deaf identity” ensures every child knows they are “valued highly.”
• Staff demonstrate “dedication... to delivering deaf education,” with a clear focus on improving communication and wellbeing.

Areas to improve

• Strengthen how teachers plan learning with a “greater focus on raising children’s attainment.”
• Develop the curriculum further to support children to have a “better understanding of their rights.”

Safeguarding

The report states that the evaluation for “Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion” is “good,” reflecting the school’s strong relationships and child-centred culture.