Working Together to Improve Portree High School

by John Howieson, Head Teacher

We are at a particularly important and exciting time in the life of Portree High School. At long last, we are on the cusp of the opening of our new school: from May 2008, we shall be moving across into a state-of-the-art facility, with all the wonderful learning and extra-curricular opportunities that will bring. At the same time, the school staff are all working hard to ensure that when we move in we will take with us the best possible teaching practices, and this process is of course being informed by advice from outside: as is now well known, the report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe) on Portree High School, following the full inspection in March 2006, was published on 29 August. Anyone who does not have a copy can obtain one from me at the High School. Copies of the Gaelic version are also available.

The Report identifies the key strengths of the school, and then goes on to detail the ways in which the whole school community needs to work together, with the Authority, in order to improve certain vital aspects of the school’s performance. The school staff, pupils and parents are now all working hard to ensure that when the inspectors return they will find a much improved situation. We appreciate that we are much more likely to be successful in this process if we take account of the opinions and ideas of our pupils’ parents, and of the broader community: if you have particular thoughts on how Portree High School can be improved, or if you might be interested in serving on any of our committees, or if you could give up some time to help the school in any way, please do make contact.

The HMIe Report contains information on our pupils’ performance in SQA examinations up to the 2005 diet. The table below gives an update, based on the 2006 data for the average performances in Scotland, in Highland, and in Highland’s comparator authorities – those which are also substantially rural – and I have added in (in bold) the figures for Portree High School. (Please note: Level 3 means Foundation at Standard Grade or better; Level 4 means General at Standard Grade or better; Level 5 means Credit at Standard Grade or better; Level 6 means Higher or better; Level 7 means Advanced Higher; “1+” means one or more awards at a certain level; “3+” means three or more awards at a certain level; etc.)

(Note: these results may change after appeals)

 As you can see from the table, our average figures are better in every single case than all the other averages, and we can be pleased with that. However, being merely above average is not good enough: we want to be among the best – we can be, and that’s what we’re working on.

 A school is about so much more than just exam results, though – important as those are. Portree High School has a great tradition of offering a wonderful range of extra-curricular activities, and our pupils respond with wonderful performances – musical and sporting performances, among others. Our pupils also think about others who may be less fortunate than themselves, and once again this year, the work the school has done for charity has been amazing in its scope and its generosity. The Charities Committee has been working hard, focusing this year on one main project – to raise money for Oxfam, to buy a classroom in the developing world, so that while we’re getting a whole new school, young people who have nothing will at least get a classroom to give them a start towards improving the kind of life they can expect. And then, in this exceptionally generous community, there has again been the Money Mile, which this year went metric, measuring more than a kilometre, and the money raised amounted to £650 – enough money to buy gifts for many senior citizens in the homes and in their own homes throughout Skye. I know also that when these presents were delivered, these same elderly folk were delighted with the performances of those of our pupils who went to sing and play for them, and also with the fact that they sat and chatted with them. The charity Hope4China has again been enthusing our pupils, and their efforts have once more gone some way towards making so much better the lives of the poor souls in that country.

 In many ways, our pupils are a credit to themselves, their families and the whole community. They deserve the best possible start in life, and part of that has to be the best possible education. In a little over a year, we shall be moving into a brand-new, state-of-the-art school building: what kind of education do you think they should be receiving there? What vision do you have of the kind of school it should be? We all have our own views, I’m sure, but we’re more likely to end up working together, pulling in the same direction, if we’re agreed about where we are aiming to go. So, now is your chance to have your say. The staff have all discussed this topic, and the draft below is the result.

 AIMS OF PHS (draft)

We want to give each one of our pupils the best possible Secondary education.

We recognise that in order to provide this a genuine partnership must exist amongst all stakeholders – staff, pupils, parents and others – so that all will want to work together in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

 This means – 

• We regard and respect each member of the whole school community as an individual, with his/her own talents, interests, needs and aspirations.
• We will work together, to help each individual pupil to become a successful learner, achieving to the highest possible standards, in whichever ways are appropriate.
• We will work together, to help each individual pupil to be aware of his/her cultural heritage, and of how that fits into the modern world.
• We will work together, to ensure each individual pupil is given the support he/she needs towards becoming a confident individual, a responsible citizen and an effective contributor in the future, whether that should be via further or higher education, or in employment; whether off the island, or recognising that economic sustainability here is possible and can be desirable.

Pupils are now being asked for their thoughts on this draft, and it is vital that you have your input, too. What are your thoughts about the vision that PHS should have? What should PHS stand for? Does the draft cover everything, or should other things be added? Should any parts be changed or omitted? Please consider, and contact me with any suggestions you may have. You can do so in writing, if you like, or else give me a ring to fix up a mutually convenient time for you to come into the school, and discuss with me.

Portree High School is changing – and changing for the better. Please join us in ensuring all our young people get the education they deserve. I look forward to hearing from you.

John G Howieson, Head Teacher.  March 2007