Grammar school heads into the future
Staff and pupils at Campbeltown Grammar School (CGS) are making positive changes following the inspection last year. Some of these have come from Education Scotland’s recommendations following that visit. The head teacher, staff and pupils are looking forward to discussing the progress made when Education Scotland returns on March 4. Since the initial visit, the school received the Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) in October 2018 and the steering group, which led this development, has produced a charter to help illustrate what is important at CGS. An extensive consultation of pupils, parents, staff and partners led to some key words and values being identified and reflected in the charter. About 200 stakeholders participated in the consultation survey and provided suggestions for a statement which would ‘fully capture or articulate the school’s unique identity in a way which underpins the school values and gives overall direction to its work’ – something Education Scotland suggested could be refreshed. These suggestions have led to the following draft for CGS’s ‘Vision and Values’ statement: ‘Vision: Inspiring Achievement: Campbeltown Grammar School aspires to be at the heart of the South Kintyre community, providing consistent, high quality learning opportunities for all our young people and inspiring them to achieve their full potential. ‘Aims: To welcome and encourage diversity and individuality and foster a shared commitment to respect for all, inclusion, honesty, equity, compassion and justice. ‘To provide for the health and wellbeing of every member of our school community though effective engagement with parents and partners, ensuring our young people feel happy, safe, equal, valued and inspired to achieve their best. ‘To develop resilience and determination in times of increasing pace and challenge through inspirational teaching, a supportive environment and an intrinsic desire for knowledge. ‘To fully develop our young people’s academic, social and emotional skills and ensure everyone leaves CGS as responsible citizens, successful learners, effective contributors and confident individuals who are ready and eager to take on the next exciting steps in their lives.’ A consultation survey on the proposed vision and values statement is available on the school’s website until the end of January. To comment go to http://bit.ly/CGSVision2018. Another major development is a proposal to increase the number of national qualifications that S4 to S6 can study in an academic year. This will involve an increase in the number of periods per week to create time for six subjects with five periods. Additional periods are required for compulsory ‘core’ subjects: physical education, personal social and health education, and religious and moral education. Head David Fyfe said: ‘There are two models being considered and the school is very keen to hear your views. ‘A short survey has been created and to participate follow this link http://bit.ly/ CGSCurriculum. ‘An information evening on the curriculum and progress has been arranged for Wednesday January 23 at 7pm when everyone is welcome to attend. ‘The school is keen to engage the South Kintyre community in its further improvement plans.’ Mr Fyfe added: ‘I am determined to build on CGS’s previous successes and, together with staff, pupils, parents and partners, ensure that it is at the community’s heart, inspiring achievement and equipping our young people with the knowledge and skills to lead happy, fulfilling lives. ‘Participation of all concerned in future consultation surveys and information evenings is vitally important.’ Argyll and Bute Council’s education leader, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said: ‘It’s clear that Campbeltown Grammar School lies at the heart of the local community and I look forward to seeing things continuing to move forward.’