Improvement required! Education inspectors release Peebles High School report card
Last updated 24th Jan 2024
Education inspectors have highlighted a number of areas in need of improvement at Peebles High School.
It follows a visit to the Borders secondary in October.
They've given the school a "satisfactory rating" - which means the strengths just outweigh the weaknesses.
But say the "strategic leadership of the school requires improvement".
A survey found more than half of support staff and two thirds of parents disagreed (16.67/28.65 per cent) or strongly disagreed (50/41.55 per cent) that the school is well led and managed.
It also found more than a fifth of the 836 pupils who responded disagreed (16.75 per cent) or strongly disagreed (3.71 per cent) that they feel safe when they're at school.
And almost a third disagreed (19.5 per cent), or strongly disagreed (11.6 per cent), with the statement that the school deals well with any bullying.
The report's been released just days after Campbell Wilson left his role as head teacher at the school.
Hundreds of pupils and staff lined the corridors as he was piped out of the building after more than a decade in the role.
He's been replaced by Kevin Ryalls, previously of Galashiels Academy, who's been appointed interim head teacher.
The report claimed: "The majority of lessons are overly teacher-led, lacking appropriate pace and challenge to meet the needs of individual learners."
It adds: "In a majority of subject areas, teachers are over-reliant on summative assessments."
And: "In a number of areas (of the senior phase) aspects of attainment have declined, particularly in the latest year."
But the report highlights the positive use of iPads and other digital technology in the classroom, and points out almost all young people progress to a positive destination on leaving school, whether that's further education or employment.
It also recognises the impact a fire in November 2019 has had on the Springwood Road campus.
"Space is restricted because many areas of the current building remain unsafe to use."
But, it adds: "The school community is working within a campus where a new school is currently being built, due to open in 2025."
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The report also noted inspectors examined a sample of safeguarding documentation. It goes on to say: "Areas for development have been agreed with the school and the education authority that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency."
Education Scotland says it will work with Scottish Borders Council regarding "the school's capacity to improve", and carry out a further inspection within the next 12 months.
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Tweeddale Councillor Julie Pirone said: "I'm really confident that with a new head teacher, and with Kevin Ryalls at the forefront of the school, that all these changes that need to happen can be made.
"In no school across the Scottish Borders should children feel that they're not safe, or that nobody's doing anything about bullying; or that our parents shouldn't feel that our schools are not well managed.
"We're on the right track now, and with a new head teacher and a new action plan that they will be putting in place, we need to put the past in the past and move forward.
"And I'm sure once they move into a new building that will make a huge difference too, because the environment is much more conducive to learning."
Peebles High School Parent Council Chair, Ellie Johnstone, added: “The Parent Council is keen to play its part in addressing the key areas highlighted by the report."
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