Kelso High School

Overview

The inspection found that young people are "respectful, polite and keen to learn," contributing to a "positive ethos." However, the report identifies "weak" performance in raising attainment and achievement, while other quality indicators are rated "satisfactory." Consequently, the school requires "additional support and more time to make necessary improvements," with a further inspection planned within one year.

Strengths

• Young people demonstrate "positive attitudes, supportive relationships and strong aspirations to achieve well."
• Staff and pupils possess "strong digital skills" which help "remove barriers and enhance engagement."
• There is a culture where staff feel "confident to lead, work together and improve practice," encouraging "shared responsibility."
• Partners "enrich young people’s learning" and provide valuable support during the transition from primary to secondary school.

Areas to improve

• Senior leaders must strengthen leadership to ensure a "consistent approach to improvement" and involve parents and partners more actively.
• Teachers should increase the "pace of lessons and the level of challenge" and use assessment information more effectively to meet all needs.
• The school needs to develop "whole-school approaches to inclusion and equality" and implement a clear strategy to improve progress and attainment from S1 to S6.

Safeguarding

The report does not explicitly detail safeguarding arrangements, though it notes that the inspection team "talked to parents/carers and young people" and evaluated the indicator for "Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion."