Lionel School

 

                       Audit Section - School Development Plan 2002-03
                               

The HMI HGIOS report ‘How Good is our School – Self Evaluation using Quality Indicators’ is used to audit each of the projects and targets for the previous school session.  For 2001/02, the Lionel School Development Plan contained two main projects focussed on Support for pupils and the Curriculum, with three other projects on Resources, Ethos and Management, leadership and quality assurance.  In addition to these five projects identified, other important developments occurred during the session, as summarised below.

Potentially the most important development which took place during 2001/02 with regard to the long-term sustainability of the community and school was the progress made with the Sporsnis project.  This ambitious project to build a £2 million sports centre in Ness began with a meeting in Lionel School in 1995, where a committee called the Ness Sports and Recreation Association was formed to look at the health, recreational and sports facilities in the community.  This committee concluded that the best location for the proposed sports centre was to integrate it with Lionel School, giving the school and the community the maximum overall benefit.

During 2001/02, a number of key developments occurred which moved the project timetable substantially forward.  An initial grant of £500,000 from Sports Scotland was subsequently followed by a commitment of  £500,000 by Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar in December 2001.  This meant that local fundraising could begin in earnest, and three committees were formed to oversee fundraising from various targeted groups.  Lionel School played a key role in initiating this fundraising with a sponsored walk in March 2002, with very good support from local emergency services.  The next key deadline is September 2002, when the final submission will be made for European funding, once local fundraising is completed.  In addition to providing the community and school with sports facilities, it is hoped to expand the educational functions within the school to provide a community library, a new music room and a new computer room.  If these objectives can be met, then the educational, health, recreational and sporting facilities available within the area served by the school will be greatly enhanced.

The five main 2001/02 projects were as follows, with each project audited on the following page:
  Project 1 - Support for pupils
To devise a long-term programme of work for Health Education, with particular emphasis on Drugs Education and Sex Education, and to review and update the Health Education policy.
   
  Project 2 - Curriculum
To extend the setting of S2 classes to subjects in addition to English and Mathematics, where this is achievable, desirable and feasible, as set out in the HMI report 'Achieving Success in S1/S2', Section 3.9.
   
  Project 3 - Resources
To implement the recommendations of the National Opportunities Fund for Information and Communications Technology, whereby all teachers will access training for curricular use of computers.
   
  Project 4 - Ethos
To assimilate the priorities of the Education Department Curriculum Support Plan into the Lionel School Plan.
   
  Project 5 - Management, leadership and quality assurance
To update sections of the Lionel School Handbook according to the review dates.
   

 

                       Audit Section - School Development Plan 2002-03
                               

Project 1 - Support for pupils
Audit 2001/02: A policy and programme of work for 5-14 Health Education, with particular emphasis on Drugs Education and Sex Education, has now been written by the Education Department of Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, and this has been adopted for use in Lionel School.  A Parents' Evening was held in May 2002 to discuss aspects of the policy, so as to give parents the opportunity for a full discussion of this important topic.
Aim of the school: To support all our pupils by providing a caring, well-ordered, happy and secure environment, promoting mutual respect and co-operation among teachers, pupils and parents, fostering the social and moral welfare of our pupils, and providing curricular and vocational guidance.  We will also promote effective links with Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, other educational agencies, statutory establishments and organisations, and with employers.
Project 2 - Curriculum
Audit 2001/02: The setting of S2 classes was extended to subjects in addition to English and Mathematics, where this is achievable, desirable and feasible, as set out in the HMI report 'Achieving Success in S1/S2'.  As long as flexibility remains to move pupils between classes, and all classes are moving towards the same outcomes, the report indicates that classes should be set on the basis of prior attainment in the subject concerned.  The results of setting in English and Mathematics over the past three years, based on prior attainment, enabled the school to extend setting to three other secondary subjects on a trial basis.
Aim of the school: To provide a balanced, broad-based, timetabled curriculum, which will ensure that all pupils master basic skills in language and number, introduce them to various fields of knowledge, and prepare them for entering the adult world.
Project 3 - Resources
Audit 2001/02: The recommendations of the National Opportunities Fund for Information and Communications Technology, whereby all teachers will access certificated training for curricular use of computers, will now commence formally in 2002/03.
Aim of the school: To optimise our provision of resources, ensuring that we develop the best possible accommodation and facilities, and that these are made widely available to the school and the wider community as appropriate.  We will also ensure that school staff have opportunities to develop their careers through Continuing Professional Development and Quality Assurance programmes.
Project 4 - Ethos
Audit 2001/02: All the teaching staff attended in-service training, as prioritised by the Education Department Curriculum Support Plan and the Lionel School Development Plan.
Aim of the school: To ensure a positive and supportive school ethos by stimulating in our pupils an awareness of their responsibilities, to develop a sense of identity and pride in the environment, history, language, culture and future development of their school and island home, and to widen their horizons by encouraging understanding of the wider world.  We will also promote effective links with Lionel School Board, Lionel School Parent Teacher Association, Lionel School Pupil Council and the wider community.
Project 5 - Management, leadership and quality assurance
Audit 2001/02: Sections of the Lionel School Handbook were updated according to the review dates.  New sections updated in the future will posted onto the school website.
Aim of the school: To provide sound school management, by maintaining high quality standards in the school through effective consultation, communication, evaluation and monitoring, and by promoting professional competence and commitment of staff through development planning.