ROBERT DOUGLAS MEMORIAL SCHOOL
STANDARDS AND QUALITY REPORT 2008-09
School Aims
At RDM we seek to provide a relevant education for all our pupils as a Green Flag school with Health Promoting Status and taking account of national and local developments, including the Curriculum for Excellence guidelines as they emerge. As a result throughout nursery and primary schooling at RDM we aim to:
provide a healthy, happy and safe environment for all in which pupils can develop at an appropriate pace and in which their individuality is valued.
foster a school ethos that is conducive to effective learning and teaching which will consistently nurture each child's development and health: emotionally, culturally, socially, physically and spiritually as well as academically.
encourage all children to achieve their potential as independent, self-disciplined individuals, equipped with a sound basis of life skills required for their future, utilising a wide range of media and providing a good foundation in all areas of the curriculum.
encourage all children to be socially well equipped, able to share, respect themselves and others, to be tolerant, considerate, polite, co-operative and honest.
work in partnership with parents, other professionals and the local community in identifying and providing for the varying needs of all children within our care.
Inspections and Reviews
The Care Commission inspection of the Nursery in April 2009 categorised all aspects as “very good” and presented no requirements or recommendations. The Perth & Kinross Additional Support Needs Review in 2009 also reported very positively on the work of the Autistic Base.
The move from “5-14 Guidelines” to “Curriculum for Excellence”
We have made a good start to introducing the “Curriculum for Excellence” which now forms the basis for all development work in RDM. Teacher planning has been changed to reflect the new outcomes. We have a cross-curricular programme now to ensure what children are learning follows the new guidelines and is relevant to the world in which they live.
ATTAINMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
On or above |
Above level |
On or above |
Above level |
On or above |
Above level |
Reading |
82.1% |
44.9% |
85.1% |
48.8% |
89.4% |
43.8% |
Writing |
80.8% |
25.1% |
82.5% |
29.0% |
84.3% |
25.4% |
Mathematics |
83.0% |
30.4% |
90.4% |
32.5% |
88.5% |
31.3% |
Attendance |
|
96.64% |
96.55% |
The following indicates those pupils who have attained the level appropriate to their stage of development. The second figures indicate those who have attained beyond that level. (These figures all refer to pupils in our mainstream classes.)
We achieved the highest standard in the Eco School programme qualifying us for the Green Flag award, which was celebrated in the wider community with a parade and gathering. We were also awarded Health Promoting School status.
Pupil success is noted through Star Awards and certificates issued at assemblies. In local sports events: RDM won the PKC rugby tournament; the netball team won the PKC League and a one day tournament, 3 pupils were in the PKC Netball team; the boys football team was second in the PKC league; and a P7 girl won a national judo competition. Pupils won awards in swimming and horse riding for individual merit.
Out of school clubs run by staff, parents and members of the community this year included: netball; football; running & fitness; parent & child fitness club; reading; chess; rugby; gardening; Eco-school; volleyball; recorder; and choir. These gave pupils many opportunities to develop health and wellbeing, sometimes in a competitive context enabling them to experience success or otherwise.
We performed well in the Perform in Perth festival with the Brass Band winning their event and individuals and groups doing well. Pupils performed at the Nursery and P1-3 Nativities and the P4-7 Homecoming concerts and Scone Old Folks Christmas and Easter concerts. The choir performed with Perth Symphony Orchestra in a Concert Hall event and the Brass Band played in St John’s Kirk. All P7 boys took part in the “Only Boys Allowed” event. RDM was very well represented in the Blooming Artists exhibition. P6 pupils won a section in the Police Wildlife Crime competition.
About £1360 was raised during the session for charities selected by the pupils (£466 for Children in Need; £202 Christian Aid; £413 Childline; £87 BRAKE; £190 Poppy Appeal). We also participated in the Shoebox Appeal. Over £12,000 was raised by pupils through a Sponsored Fun Run contributing to half of the installation of Trim Trails round the school.
We contributed to the P7 Year Book and WIKIspace for all schools linked to Perth Academy and created a P1 transition book for all our new P1 pupils.
We again held a Health Week with a wide range of events, a parent information evening and our P7 Communications Group created videos about healthy aspects of the school.
All these activities helped to boost pupil confidence and self-esteem by providing contexts for the pupils to be effective contributors and responsible citizens.
LEARNING
Pupil involvement in learning experiences was enhanced through a new planning process which now includes their own ideas in real world contexts. 10 members of staff attended “Cooperative Learning” training, strategies of which are now embedded in most classrooms. All teachers, and some other staff, in the Perth Academy Cluster visited other schools to share and discuss good practice, providing opportunities to develop reflective practice and celebrate success.
The P7 pupils enjoyed a residential adventure week. Other visits out of school and active learning opportunities enhanced pupil experiences (eg Victorian Week, Class Museum, Class Art Gallery, Video work, WWII Evacuation and air raid enactments).
“Digicams” were bought for every stage to increase opportunity for video work.
Parental awareness of the curriculum was enhanced through a number of curriculum evenings and a well attended open afternoon. Parents were actively involved in P1 classes giving very positive feedback. Parental audits (20% of parents) on pupil Health & Wellbeing throughout the school indicated an overall 96.3% appreciation of the aspects covered (and 99.3% in Nursery). All class teachers issued term planners for parents to increase parental awareness of the curriculum at each stage.
The “Motor Skills Group” continued for pupils with fine and gross motor difficulties supporting them with developing their skills and having a follow on effect in their confidence and other aspects of school work.
Support for Music, Art, Drama and PE were provided by specialist staff on a weekly or fortnightly basis to complement the class teachers’ input.
The Autism Outreach teacher based at RDM supported other mainstream schools enabling them to make education experiences relevant to pupils on the autistic spectrum. This was warmly and extensively appreciated by the supported schools.
LEADERSHIP
Pupil groups across the school included: Pupil Council; P7 Communications Group; class buddying; playground buddies; Motor Skills Groups; Social Skills Groups; and Autistic Base buddying. Work by the Junior Road Safety Officers included the manufacture of an RDM road safety mousemat, road safety banner and considerations regarding pupils’ entrance to the school. All these pupil groups developed the pupils’ confidence as individuals and served the whole school community.
The Parent Council organised a number of pupil activities, raised funds, discussed school matters and assisted in school events. Parents assisted with trips, evening events and talks about a range of issues, encouraging involvement in school life. The Groupcall messaging system was introduced to improve communication to parents.
Through the Staff Consultative Committee, the Early Childhood Practitioners meetings and support staff meetings with the Management Team, relevant school issues were addressed. Some staff are involved in Perth & Kinross developments and committees. Our Child Protection leaflet was issued to all new staff to ensure measures are in place for pupil safety. Through monitoring by the Management Team and curricular tracking by teachers we seek to ensure an even progression by pupils through their learning and attainment. All staff participate in annual Employee Review and Development to assist with their personal professional reflection.
Staff took part in significant training opportunities including Aspiring Leaders; Cooperative Learning; Cooperative Meetings; Coaching; Motivated School; Autism Post-grad Certificate; Seasons for Growth training; CEOP training and Ambassador training (internet safety); CALM training (“Crisis Aggression Limitation & Management”); as well as ongoing school-based work on Curriculum for Excellence. These equip staff to be current in their educational thinking and practice.
A number of staff audits were carried out during the session identifying strengths and development needs. Staff rated the following as very good: Leadership; Ethos; Partnerships with agencies; School environment & resources; Personal and Social Education; Education about eating for health; Emotional Health & Wellbeing. Physical activity was rated as Good. Pupils expressed positive views about school through a questionnaire and made the pupil voice heard through the Pupil Council.
KEY IMPROVEMENT PRIORITIES FOR SESSION 2009-2010
Curriculum for Excellence planning formats beyond Environmental Studies
Focus on and utilise Numeracy/ Maths and Literacy/ Language Outcomes
Use of SEEMIS for pupil reports
Staff, parents and PKC Education & Children’s Services have all been involved in consultation in the production of this report.
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