Schools missing out on visits

A quarter of primary schools in East Renfrewshire have not been inspected by Education Scotland for ten years or more, writes Local Democracy Reporter Drew Sandelands.

Figures released following a Freedom of Information request show six schools have not been visited since 2010 at the earliest.

While an inspection report for St John’s Primary, in Barrhead, was published in late June this year – the first time since August 2009.

An Education Scotland spokeswoman said schools are selected “using a sampling approach and predetermined set criteria rather than a cyclical approach”.

“In Scotland, overall responsibility for the quality of education and securing continuous improvement sits with the local authority,”she added.

There are currently 24 primary schools in East Renfrewshire and a council spokesman said there are“robust procedures”to ensure “continuous” improvements across all schools.

The last report on Cross Arthurlie Primary, Barrhead, was published in March 2009.

The Education Scotland spokeswoman said scrutiny functions had been“significantly strengthened”and the number of school inspections carried out has increased.

She said:“In the academic year 2018/19 Education Scotland completed 252 school inspections, an increase of over 30 per cent on the previous year.

“Schools are selected for inspection each year on a proportionate basis, using a sampling approach and predetermined set criteria.”