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ARDROSSAN ACADEMY
Standards and Quality Report Session 2015-16
AMBITION RESPECT EXCELLENCE
Ardrossan Academy is a comprehensive
school serving the towns of Ardrossan,
Saltcoats and West Kilbride.
The school is situated on an extensive
plot and dates back to 1882. The Main
Building has many original features,
Including Dux boards which are still
maintained every academic year and a
traditional Assembly Hall. There are also
4 newer buildings which were built in the
1970s. The school grounds include
extensive social areas and astro turf
pitches.
The school roll for session 2014-15 was
814 broken down as follows:
S1—144
S2— 159
S3— 140
S4—164
S5— 126
S6—81
Ardrossan Academy Particular Strengths of the School
Enthusiastic young people who are proud of their school and the wide range
of achievements.
Committed staff who provide young people with a range of opportunities
for achievement in and out with the classroom.
Improving trend of attainment in Literacy and Numeracy.
Clear Vision, Values and Aims.
The range of extended curricular opportunities that contribute to learners’
attainment and achievement.
Universal Personal Support which allows all young people to be carefully
tracked and monitored in their learning and health & wellbeing.
An innovative BGE curriculum.
A commitment to improving outcomes for learners through a wide and
varied curriculum.
How well do young people learn and
achieve?
“Young people learn and achieve well at Ardrossan Academy. They are motivated
and positive about their learning experiences and proud of their school. They enjoy
their learning and feel encouraged and supported to do their best. Across the school,
they participate actively, undertaking a wide variety of engaging and interesting
learning activities and contributing confidently in lessons.”
Education Scotland May 2016
We continue to have a positive impact on young people’s achievement and
attainment by providing a broad curriculum; enabling access to a range of courses in
conjunction with local colleges and other secondary schools; offering opportunities
to students to lead whole school activities and engaging with a range of agencies
and business links to enhance the learning experience.
Literacy & Numeracy Attainment
School Leavers
Careers in Languages
S3 pupils were involved in an event involving
local businesses and also Universities to gain
an understanding of how Languages can
impact on career routes. The Modern
Languages department linked closely with
Home Economics and Physical Education to
develop a fun and interesting programme of
study . This led on to a project involving a
local restaurant and some S3 pupils who were
studying Spanish devising a Tapas menu
which was researched, produced and sold to
teaching staff in a “Pop-Up” restaurant.
The Ad Astra Awards went ahead for a second year and following consultation with
pupils, it was made more challenging to achieve the Ad Astra Award, which was
recognised through award ceremonies. Pupils were formally recognised for their
contributions to the school in the categories of Respect, Uniform, Effort,
Contribution (to classes and whole school) and Behaviour. We feel it is vital that we
tell young people when they are doing well to help build confidence and
self-esteem. Reward activities including Cinema afternoons, Pizza lunches,
Inflatables day and theme park visits were offered to highlight to students how
much we value their citizenship 625 students were involved in reward activities last
session.
AMBITION RESPECT EXCELLENCE
Last session 19 pupils achieved their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and 9 their
Silver award. There is a small but very committed team of staff supporting young
people in their expeditions, volunteering and completion of their profiles.
There is a commitment to extend learning beyond the traditional curriculum in
Ardrossan Academy and Skills for Work Courses in Early Education and Childcare,
Digital Passport ,Travel and Tourism and now Web Design are a popular part of our
Senior Phase. We have also developed our approaches to wider achievement in the
Broad General Education with the introduction of Crest and Health and Wellbeing
Awards . Last session 126 S1 pupils were the first to achieve these awards.
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2015 91.9% 87.5% 74.4% 60.6%
2014 90.1% 81.5% 72.6% 36.7%
2013 90.7% 73.5% 60.3% 59.3%
2012 91.4% 72.9% 60% 54.3%
Our Senior Phase encompasses all the requirements and arrangements of SQA
while offering unique experiences for our learners, working with partner agencies.
Visits to local business including Woodward Aircraft Systems in Prestwick, where
young people were able to find out more about careers in engineering and see a
working factory provide useful learning experiences.
The introduction of new courses such as Higher Food and Health Technology, Web
Design and Digital Passport is an example of meeting the demand of learners as
well as the local labour market. Our curriculum has been designed following
consultation with learners, parents/carers and partners including business.
Consortium learning is a key feature of our Senior Phase as we strive to continue to
offer progress in academic and vocational pathways. Close links with local schools
and colleges ensure learners have the opportunity to study at Advanced Higher
level as well as experience a range of Skills for Work courses in Construction,
Technologies and the Hospitality industry.
AMBITION RESPECT EXCELLENCE
Curriculum and Meeting Learning Needs
Our Broad General Education is a result of a strong transition from Primary School.
Our P7 transition programme allows young people to not only experience learning in
the secondary sector but also has our practitioners going along to our Cluster
primaries to engage and facilitate learning in a range of curricular areas. Last
session pupils were treated to readings and activities from our Drama department
on “Haunting Halloween” and Rabbie Burns as well as working with teachers from
PE, Mathematics, Modern Languages and English in their own schools. Our Broad
General Education is entirely built around the spirit of Curriculum for Excellence.
There is a focus on ensuring breadth of learning in all Curricular Areas and providing
challenge and depth within subject specific contexts when pupils are ready. Robust
and exciting Inter-disciplinary learning is a key feature of the BGE.
Staff continue to review their provision to ensure we are meeting the needs of all
learners in the BGE and Senior Phase. Alternatives to traditional courses, particularly
in S5/6 are proving to be engaging and beneficial as pupils choose to continue their
learning in Ardrossan Academy. All levels of learning are catered for and allow
students to choose new pathways as they progress through the school.
Learning and Teaching remains at the heart of all we do. Workshops involving all
teaching staff on different aspects of teaching and also literacy took place last
session. Improving standards of teaching remains a priority and therefore
monitoring the quality of learning and teaching and sharing good practice is a key
part of our self-evaluation.
Developing the Young Workforce
Increasing links were formed during
2015-16 to improve opportunities and
outcomes for young people, making
them more competitive in today’s
market.
One pupil participated in the New
School of Sciences mentoring
programme “1000 Futures”. She
achieved mentee of the month
from a cohort of hundreds of girls
from all over the world and is now
working with them to develop
their mentoring programme.
Links with a local allotment have
been established and contribute to
our Food for Life group and
Learning for Sustainability group.
Our S1 Student Council have been
working with Youth Services on
Participative Democracy and are
developing our anti-bullying
strategy.
S2 pupils have devised their own
enterprise “ArdCo” and made a
successful bid to the Parent
Council for funding which will
allow them to showcase the
creative talents of Ardrossan
Academy pupils.
AMBITION RESPECT EXCELLENCE
Useful information and strategies to support learners with Additional Support Needs
and Alternative Assessment Arrangements are shared with all staff and reviewed
regularly. A planned programme of review meetings is set at the beginning of the
year and we actively encourage parents/carers and any external agencies working
with the young person to become involved with these meetings. All staff are
involved in CPD on Health and Wellbeing including physical, social, emotional and
mental health. The health of learners is a pivotal piece of our work and last session
specific sessions on wellbeing indicators and Child Protection took place with all
staff. As a School of Sport many young people are attracted to the alternative pro-
vision we have which engages them in additional training in Rugby and Basketball. In
conjunction with SRU and Basketball Scotland we offer a robust training programme
which has participants engaged in additional physical activity at the start and end of
the school day twice a week, no matter what the weather, as well as a training
session during the course of the school day.
Other opportunities for learning take place via Eco Committee, run and organised by
pupils, drama club, Ceilidh band, Young Singers, Student Councils, Netball, Football,
and many others.
We have also been fortunate to establish a Nurture base in Ardrossan Academy
which supports a small group of young people when they enter S1 and offer them
continued extended support throughout their first year of Secondary School.
How well do staff work with others to
support young people’s learning?
A successful Education Scotland Inspection highlighted areas of highly effective
practice within the school. Our work with Ayrshire College to develop pathways in
the Senior Phase ,which will allow young people to develop skills and make them
strong competitors in the areas of engineering was of particular interest and is
being rolled out in session 2016/17. The school is currently engaged with Education
Scotland to develop our approach to the delivery of STEM with our cluster
primaries, tackling issues around gender imbalance.
3 pupils attended a week-long residential summer school at Glasgow Caledonian
University on Cybersecurity. Senior pupils participated in a Leadership Development
programme at Arran Outdoor Centre.
The annual “Your Future” event is a popular event which gives young people and
their families information on school courses, careers, learning beyond school and
apprenticeships. We are also keen to learn from parents and carers and hold focus
groups and issue surveys throughout the school year to gather feedback on the
school and education. We are currently developing systems for sharing that
information with the whole school community.
Ace Base
Our Ace Base continues to provide
stimulating learning opportunities for
young people in S1 and S2.
This year outdoor learning and a CSi
style project were used to great effect,
encouraging the young people to
develop knowledge and skills in
science, research and teamwork.
Police Scotland and science staff
worked alongside the pupils as they
discovered more about investigative
techniques to track down a
perpetrator.
We continue to invite partners from across North Ayrshire and
beyond to work with our learners to develop their skills and put their
learning in context.
During the SQA examinations May 2015, Community Learning
and Development supported an extensive piece of work which
engaged a group of our S4 learners in developing a portfolio of
wider qualifications which included Heartstart, First Aid,
Customer Service Awards and Leadership.
Cumnock based poet, Rab Wilson, delivered a workshop which
helped S2 pupils develop their own poetry.
Quality Meat Scotland are working with Home Economics classes
to develop their understanding of Hospitality processes within
their National Qualifications courses.
BT STEM ambassadors delivered a “Raspberry Pi” workshop
raising awareness of and developing understanding of the gap in
the digital skills market.
This gives an idea of the range of learning opportunities open to our
learners with the support of the wider community.
Strategic Priorities 2015-18
Embed and enhance the principles of GIRFEC to ensure
improved outcomes for all learners.
Improve the quality of learning and teaching across the
curriculum to meet the needs of all learners.
Refine self-evaluation processes to support quality
improvement and positively impact on learners’ experiences.
Enhance the teaching and learning of numeracy skills across
the curriculum to increase attainment.
Enhance the teaching and learning of literacy skills across the
curriculum to increase attainment.
Develop the BGE and Senior Phase to improve learning
experiences and pathways. Leading to positive and sustained
destinations.
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