Johnstone High is streets ahead

School praised for improvements to kids’health

A school has received top marks for making improvements to support children’s health, wellbeing and learning.

Johnstone High School received the promising report after they were revisited by staff from Education Scotland in February.

The school’s latest report said the school had made good progress, particularly in the area of pupil’s health and wellbeing.

The Beith Road school was asked to consider these areas for improvement following an inspection in November 2016.

Less than two years later the school was praised for developing a culture of school improvement which involves pupils, staff and parents.

The report noted: “A variety of developments across the school are improving staff’s understanding of their roles in relation to improving young people’s engagement in learning, young people’s relationships with others and their health and wellbeing.

“These developments are having a positive impact on young people’s awareness of their own wellbeing.

“As a result the school community feels that this is creating a more inclusive and supported learning and working environment.”

Johnstone High headteacher, Lynne Hollywood, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the visit by Education Scotland as it recognises the shared commitment and hard work of our pupils, parents and staff to ongoing school improvement.

“We have had two key priorities this session – the health and wellbeing of our young people and providing high quality learning and teaching in every classroom. Education Scotland welcomed this and noted how we are actively developing a culture of school improvement.

“Our attainment is improving in a number of key measures and 94 per cent of our leavers go on to a positive, post-school destination, an eight per cent increase over the last two years.

“Education Scotland also noted the improvements we had made to our S1-S3 curriculum and the increased range of opportunities available to both pupils and staff.”

She also thanked the entire school community for their contribution to Johnstone High’s improvement journey and added: “It is an exciting time for us. We have a clear vision and direction and will continue to drive improvement and positive outcomes for our young people.”

Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services convener, councillor Jim Paterson, said: “It’s heartening to see Johnstone High is making good progress with the health and wellbeing of children one of the top priorities.

“Work has also been done on providing high-quality learning and teaching with improvements expected across this year’s exam results.

“I am confident that with the strong vision and leadership of the headteacher and her senior team that the school will go on to build further upon this good work.”

Education Scotland has no plans to revisit the school and a progress report from Renfrewshire Council and the school will take place within the next year.

It’s an exciting time for us. We have a clear vision Lynne Hollywood