A north-east secondary school has gained a commendation from education chiefs for raising attainment and parental confidence.
Fraserburgh Academy was visited by Education Scotland inspectors in early 2014 when the school was praised for the quality of its maths department and the success of youngsters in the wider community.
But inspectors called on Aberdeenshire Council to make improvements including improving exam results overall and giving young people “leadership opportunities” before they left to enter employment or further education.
Education Scotland requested that the local authority deliver a report on progress and now, the head teacher of the Dennyduff Road establishment – David Clark – has presented his findings to local councillors.
Mr Clark, who assumed the post only weeks before the 2014 inspection, said: “The senior leadership team has worked closely with staff and the quality improvement officer to review practice and improve approaches to learning and teaching.”
The head teacher added that, since the inspection took place, a greater number of young people feel confident about learning and being in the classroom.
Other noted improvements include the quality of the teaching staff and “more consistent high quality learning across the school”. The confidence of parents in their children’s education has also risen.
Aberdeenshire’s education director Maria Walker added: “Priorities identified in the report are being addressed by the senior leadership team and staff, with the support of Aberdeenshire Council to ensure improvements can be sustained and recommendations progressed.”
It is understood that, following the marked improvements at the port town’s secondary school, Education Scotland will not be returning to Fraserburgh Academy.
The original inspection report and subsequent progress update recognised the success of Fraserburgh’s teenagers in the wider community.
In April, pupils from the school took part in the Annual Rock Challenge event at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
The event – which challenged youngsters to choreograph and star in a short musical of their own making – was a triumph for Fraserburgh who found success with their piece about the cruelty of animal testing.
