Lionel School

 

                       Audit Section - School Development Plan 2003-04
                               

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 2002/03, the Lionel School Development Plan contained two main projects focussed on the Curriculum and Resources, with three other projects on Resources, Support for pupils and Management, leadership and quality assurance.  In addition to these five projects identified, other important developments occurred during the session, as summarised below.

During the session, a new Primary classroom and a new computer room were built.  However, potentially the most important development which took place during 2002/03 with regard to the long-term sustainability of the community and school was the progress made with the Sporsnis project.  This ambitious project to try 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 2002/03, 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.  In April 2003 the final submission was successfully made for European funding, giving a total to date of £1.55 million pounds, which will be sufficient for a substantial facility.  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, and a new music 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 2002/03 projects were as follows, with each project audited on the following page:
  Project 1 - Curriculum
To review the courses and programmes relating to 5-14 Environmental Studies.
   
  Project 2 - Resources
To implement the recommendations of the National Opportunities Fund for Information and Communications Technology, whereby all teachers will access formal training for curricular use of computers.
   
  Project 3 - Resources
To review the arrangements to ensure health and safety throughout the school.
   
  Project 4 - Support for pupils
To assimilate the priorities of the Education Department Curriculum Support Plan into the Lionel School Plan through in-service training.
   
  Project 5 - Management, leadership and quality assurance
To update sections of the Lionel School Handbook according to the review dates, and thereafter to publish them onto the school website.
   

 

                       Audit Section - School Development Plan 2002-03
                               

Project 1 - Curriculum
Audit 2002/03: It was intended to review the courses and programmes relating to 5-14 Environmental Studies, as this was one of the programmes stated to be supported by the Education Department's Business Plan.  However, no Environmental Studies Secondary subjects were actually supported during in-service days, so the project was deferred.
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 2 - Resources
Audit 2002/03: The National Opportunities Fund (NOF) computer training was finally begun, in two groups including Cluster Group teachers from Airidhantium and Cross schools, supported by the two trainers from Lionel School.  The Airidhantium teachers completed their training in April 2003, and it is hoped that the remaining Cross and Lionel teachers will receive their certificates by June 2003.
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 3 - Resources
Audit 2002/03: The project on Health and Safety was successful, with three very good training afternoons led by Mr A Macdonald held within the school.  The Head Teacher had also previously attended a presentation by Mr Macdonald during one of the centre-based in-service training days in October 2002.
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 - Support for pupils
Audit 2002/03: 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 2002/03: Sections of the Lionel School Handbook were updated according to the review dates,  with new sections 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.