SKILLED staff and respectful pupils are just two of the highlights from a fantastic “report card” delivered by inspectors to Glasgow’s Holyrood Secondary.

The Education Scotland team said the Southside school had a “well-established, inclusive ethos based on the Catholic faith values” and added: “Almost all interactions between young people, and between young people and staff are respectful, kind and considerate.”

Glasgow Times: Last year's school captains Maria McMullen and Joseph LambLast year's school captains Maria McMullen and Joseph Lamb (Image: Holyrood Secondary)

The inspectors also praised headteacher Sharon Watson’s “strategy to improving the attainment and achievement of all young people” and noted: “She is highly regarded amongst the school community.”

The report continued: “Teachers … are pro-active in learning from colleagues within and beyond the school.

“Staff are very skilled in identifying and implementing effective strategies to support young people who experience barriers to learning. As a result, young people are attaining and achieving very well, with almost all moving to a positive destination on leaving school.”


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Areas for improvement, which were discussed with the headteacher and a representative from Glasgow City Council, included a requirement for staff to ensure all young people are “appropriately challenged and given more opportunities to lead their learning."

The inspectors added: “Building on recent successful changes in the English and mathematics departments, staff should continue to improve young people’s performance in literacy and numeracy in the senior phase.”

Mrs Watson said: “I am absolutely delighted that Education Scotland got to see the work that I see every day.

“Our young people enjoyed the opportunity to talk about their learning and their involvement in a wide range of leadership activities.  They are very proud of their school and it is great that they could play such a large part in this inspection.”

She added: “This report is testament to the commitment of all of our staff, our families, our fantastic young people and all within the Holyrood community, past and present.”

Councillor Christina Cannon, Glasgow’s education convener, said: “This is an amazing report card for the school, and I am delighted for the school community.

“Inspectors have singled out several strengths with high praise for the learning and teaching across the school.

“The respect for positive relationships is also highlighted. Congratulations to the headteacher, staff, young people and their families.”

The full report is available on the Education Scotland website.