Head teachers have mission to build on talents
GLASGOW has transformed its exam achievements over the past 10 years with head teachers using innovative ways to raise attainment.
It has long been acknowledged that city schools suffer the impact of high levels of poverty.
While schools know this is no excuse, it is an additional hurdle on the way to success.
Each year exam results are on the up and in the past decade increasing numbers are leaving school with one or more Higher.
Last year’s results showed that since 2007 the number of pupils leaving school with at least one Higher has risen by 91 per cent.
At St Paul’s High School in Pollok, teachers are focusing on mental health in a bid to raise attainment.
Head teacher of 10 years, Lisa Pierotti, said the school has an “unrelenting focus” on its pupils.
A range of measures are in place to help them succeed, from stress control workshops, study groups to a campus cop.
Ms Pierotti said: “The stress control workshops have been very helpful.
“They involve engaging a clinical psychologist who has designed a programme for exam classes that runs over a series of 12 weeks.
“We also have parental workshops in the evening to look at all sorts of different ways to manage stress.
“We have mental health councillors, Lifelink, to support young people.
“It is quite a significant programme.”
She says recognising and clamping down on poor attendance is directly related to higher attainment.
Pupils’ performance is tracked and monitored to allow an early intervention if a problem is found.
The school now has a campus police officer thanks to special direct-tohead teacher funding, the Pupil Equity Fund (PEF).
“The campus officer works with our health and well-being teachers on a range of ways our pupils can be encouraged to be good citizens, not just in the local community but in the city,” Ms Pierotti said.
Primary teachers have also been brought into help with general literacy and numeracy across the school.
A leadership programme, the Advanced Higher Hub partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University and Caritas community volunteering project are some of the pull-factors ensuring pupils do not leave school.
Ninety-five percent of school leavers at St Paul’s are going onto ‘positive destinations’, with 67 per cent going to university or college, 18 per cent into work and 10 per cent into training.
The head teacher added: “Success is no accident, it comes about through drive and hard work.”
At Whitehill Secondary in Dennistoun head teacher Pauline Swan changed the whole ethos of her school – and the results speak for themselves.
Last year Whitehill trebled the percentage of pupils achieving five Highers from 3.6 per cent to 11 per cent.
This year that number is up to 18 per cent.
Ms Swan, who has been at the school for two years now, said: “We were absolutely delighted with that.
“Ambition and success are part of the new school values we developed in conjunction with staff and pupils and everyone buys into that.”
Ms Swan used her PEF money to invest in a Principal Teacher of Raising Attainment who closely monitors individual pupils and plans interventions and supports.
She added: “This makes sure our young people keep on track, makes sure they achieve their potential.”
The school, which has 430 pupils,