AIM

Six years ago, Springburn Academy exam results looked like the attached table:

In 2009, for the first time, 23 S3 pupils successfully achieved a Credit in English and Maths; 12 pupils in S3 achieved a 1 in Maths.

In 2003, the school was consistently near the bottom of any league tables published then (apart from the number of exclusions, which was consistently high). On discussing the school with Principal Teachers, the motivation of pupils and consistency of parental support was an issue. Pupils would show promise in S1 but had often lost that motivation by S4.

ACTION

After researching a number of options, two strategies were adopted: a long term strategy and a short term one. The long term strategy included introducing Learn 2 Learn for S1 and S2 pupils. The short term one included introducing lesson plans using the 4-stage cycle. The following actions were taken:

1. The Head Teacher identified those pupils in S3/S4/S5/S6 who were on track for 5+ Credits or 5 Highers. She and the S4 Year Head invited pupils and their parents to the school to discuss homework, supported study, etc. All parents were invited to a learning seminar. (These seminars were then delivered to all year groups).
2. S5/S6 pupils were invited to a meal in a local hotel and asked to identify what it was they would need to help them study. They identified access to a laptop, individual tutors, library being open to study, study notes, and supported study.
3. Principal Teachers were asked to submit study plans for S5/S6 courses.
4. A residential study week was planned for the Easter holidays. This has been organised for the last three Easters. A separate Maths weekend was also organised.
5. Certain pupils in S4/S5/S6 were allocated staff mentors.
6. In November, all S5/S6 pupils participated in mini prelims. The results are collated and published. Thanks to Focus West Funding (previously called G.O.A.L.S.), we are able to do all of these activities without School of Ambition funding.
7. Pastoral Care have a calendar of interviews and will interview all pupils post reporting. This will get round the allocation of mentors. The P.I.P.s and Review Fortnight have been evaluated for 2009/2010 involving S3-S6 pupils to incorporate the online tracking section.
8. All pupils in S4 developed a Personal Improvement Plan with their class teacher to identify next steps. These are known as P.I.P.s. We also had a Review Fortnight for S4 pupils.

OUTCOMES:

All of these activities have helped create an ethos of ambition and study. This can be shown by the increased numbers going into Higher Education on their own merit. The number of Higher Education providers increased to include Glasgow, Strathclyde and Stirling. The exam results now show a marked improvement.