James Gillespie's High School

Overview

The inspection team found that the headteacher provides “calm and aspirational leadership” and that staff have created “inclusive, positive and respectful learning environments” where young people thrive. The school demonstrates “very high levels of attainment” across the senior phase, with particularly strong outcomes in Gàidhlig. Inspectors concluded that the school has the capacity to continue to improve and will not return for further monitoring visits.

Strengths

• The headteacher supports staff effectively to maintain high standards and improve young people’s wellbeing and attainment.
• Young people are “highly motivated” by learning experiences underpinned by school values, resulting in a positive culture.
• Staff have worked with effective partners to increase learning pathways, ensuring more young people “experience success and achieve very well.”
• Nearly all young people secure National Qualifications in Gàidhlig at appropriate levels, reflecting strong collective leadership.
• Young people requiring additional support are making “very good progress” and attaining well.

Areas to improve

• Senior leaders should develop staff capacity to embed recent improvements and ensure young people are “more effectively involved in decisions about their school.”
• Staff must ensure greater consistency of high-quality learning, teaching, and assessment, including appropriate levels of pace and challenge.
• A more coherent and strategic approach to immersion education is needed, focusing on broadening the curriculum leading to qualifications through the medium of Gàidhlig.

Safeguarding

The report states that staff and young people have developed “inclusive, positive and respectful learning environments” and that young people requiring additional support with their wellbeing are making very good progress.