Laurelhill pledges improvements following criticism by inspectors

Mr Martin, who acknowledged that the school had been going through a period of transition following the retirement of the previous principal said, in the main, the college welcomed the recommendations made in the recent report and said they had already begun to address many of the issues.

In the report the inspectorate highlighted a number of areas of concern, particularly with the leadership and management of the college.

It recommended the need to “continue to stabilise the leadership and strengthen the management at all levels within the school.”

The inspectorate also stressed that the college needed to “raise standards in public examinations, and especially in mathematics.”

Strengths of the school were also noted, with the standard in modern languages being reported as ‘good’.

Pupils were also praised in the report, which stated: “The pupils work independently and contribute well to the organisation of their own learning.

“The pupils have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. These include community-based sport, enterprise and arts activities, which are aimed at their needs and interests. Appropriately, the school has identified the potential of extra-curricular music, drama, film and sport to support the development of the pupils literacy and numeracy skills.

“The pupils talked enthusiastically about the welcoming, friendly atmosphere in the school, the approachability of their teachers and the availability of a wide range of extra-curricular activities.”

The report also praised teachers at the school, saying: “The staff have established and maintained successfully a very caring and supportive ethos.”

However, the report concluded: “In most areas inspected, the quality of education provided by this school is inadequate; the areas for improvement significantly outweigh the strengths in the provision.”

Speaking after the publication of the report, Mr Martin said: “In the main the College welcomes the recommendations made in the recent ETI Inspection Report as a guide in determining our priorities and to promote greater achievement. I have been in Laurelhill Community College for a relatively short period but I have clearly identified the salient issues and have begun to address them.

“The College has experienced significant changes in its leadership and management structures losing fifty percent of its Senior Leadership Team in an 18 month period due to the retirement of senior staff. Such a deficit of experience and knowledge takes time to regain but I am pleased to announce, that with the strenuous efforts of the Board of Governors and the management within school a new Senior Leadership Team was established in September 2011; it has already made significant changes in pastoral, curriculum and in the organisation of teaching and learning.

“The middle management within the College has also undergone significant changes as a result of promotions and retirements: Head of Maths, Numeracy coordinator, Head of PE, Teacher in charge of Reporting, Head of History, Head of Year 11 have all been appointed within the last few months. These changes have had a positive impact in the leadership and management. I am pleased that the structures are now in place to take the College forward, to raise standards and to give pupils the life chances they deserve.

“All staff in the College are committed to improve the quality of learning and teaching and have the well being and the success of every individual pupil central to their classroom practice,” he continued.

“I want to increase the standards for all pupils. Current strategies are focusing on teaching and learning within the classroom and developing the leadership and management at middle and senior levels to further improve the results at GCSE and A Level.”

The Chairman of the school’s Board of Governors, Councillor Jonathan Craig also responded to the inspection report. “Action plans to improve results in all departments are underway and will be implemented by the new management structures that are already in place,” he said. “All of the issues raised in the report are being addressed.”

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