23/6/2008Six Great Reasons, Why We're City's Best Secondary School
A school is celebrating after being named Glasgow's top performing secondary by education inspectors.
Castlemilk High, which has 442 pupils, received the best report card yet for a city secondary and it also ranked among the finest in Scotland.
It was given an unsurpassed six 'excellent' ratings and eight 'very good' in the report by officials from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education.
It beats the previous best, St Andrew's in Carntyne, which was given "excellent" in five categories and was the first state or independent secondary to receive so many top grades.
Castlemilk High head teacher Brian McAlinden said he was proud to be "raising the crossbar of expectation" in an area long associated with deprivation and a lack of belief among young people.
The level of ambition was highlighted several times in the report.
Inspectors also praised the leadership of the head teacher, equality and fairness, the development of pupils and the school's success in involving parents in their children's education.
The school had also successfully raised attainment in English and Maths with a range of initiatives, including extra tuition for youngsters in first year.
Standard Grade exam results have improved dramatically in recent years.
Last year 92% of pupils gained five or more Standard Grades at level 3 or better, against 82% in 2005.
The head said the next priority for the school would be to improve the quality of higher passes for fifth and sixth-year pupils.
Mr McAlinden paid tribute to the teamwork of staff and parents.
He said: "The school is sending out such a positive message to the community.
"It proves that if young people are surrounded by astounding teachers and supportive parents and
we adopt a positive 'can do attitude' then anything is possible.
"We are raising the crossbar of expectations.”
Third-year pupil Jennifer Miller, 15, said: "It is a good school because we get rewarded for good work with outdoor trips, such as going to the
ice rink."
Kevin Banza, 14, originally from the Congo, said: "If we have a problem we get a lot of help from pastoral care."
Inspectors also singled out the strength of the curriculum, which has a very strong vocational element, including courses in hairdressing, construction and hospitality.
The report states: "Driven by ambition and high expectations, the school was making a very positive difference to pupils' life opportunities."
Castlemilk High was part of the previous Scottish Executive's Schools of Ambition programme, which gave extra funding to boost aspects of the curriculum. The scheme is being phased out.
The school used some of the cash to introduce free driving lessons in the playground for senior pupils. So far 17 pupils have passed their test since the scheme was introduced in 2006.
The report follows a number of recent successes for Glasgow’s education authority, notably in the East End.
Last month Croftcroighn School, Craigend, which is for children with special needs, was awarded five excellent ratings, while in March, St Timothy’s Primary, in Greenfield near Shettleston, was given six.
Gordon Matheson, the council's education spokesman, said: "Once again we have proved you do not have to live in the leafy suburbs to enjoy excellent education."