Stromness Academy

Overview

The inspection team found that young people are a considerable strength, being polite, respectful, and proud of their school and community. However, the report evaluates leadership of change and learning, teaching and assessment as ‘weak’, while ensuring wellbeing and raising attainment are ‘satisfactory’. Consequently, the school requires additional support and a further inspection within 12 months to monitor improvements.

Strengths

• Young people are “polite, welcoming and engage well with adults and visitors,” demonstrating pride in their heritage.
• Senior leaders ensure “respectful relationships are evident across the school,” creating a “calm and positive learning environment.”
• Staff work effectively with partners to provide a range of achievements that help young people develop skills like teamwork.

Areas to improve

• Senior leaders must improve strategic leadership, ensuring staff clarity on roles and developing “well-embedded approaches to measuring and evaluating” school work.
• All staff need to improve the quality and consistency of learning and teaching, embedding positive routines and providing increased pace and challenge for learners.
• Leaders and teachers must improve their shared understanding of national standards and use data more effectively to raise attainment.

Safeguarding

The report evaluates “Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion” as ‘satisfactory’, noting that most young people feel cared for and valued within a positive environment.