EDUCATION, LEARNING & LEISURE

STANDARDS AND QUALITY REPORT

FOR

UDNY GREEN SCHOOL

Standards and Quality Report for Session 2011-12

Aberdeenshire Council Education, Learning and Leisure Service Vision

“Working together for the best quality of life for everybody in ; from mountain to sea, and helping through Education and Recreation to make it the best possible place in which to live and learn, work and play.

Our aims are the building of capacity, the realisation of potential and the achievement of excellence in Aberdeenshire – the very best of Scotland”

Standards and Quality Report

Section Section Title Page

1 Contents Page 2

2 Aberdeenshire Council School Improvement Framework- Foreword 3

3 Vision, Values and Aims 4

4 The School in Context 5

5 Progress Check – Evaluating the School’s Previous Improvement Plan 6

6 How good is our school 2011/12 - Self Evaluation Audit 8

7 Other Achievements 12

8 School Improvement Priorities for session 2012/13 14

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2. Foreword: Aberdeenshire Council School Improvement Framework

Aberdeenshire School Improvement Framework forms part of the Education, Learning and Leisure Service’s Quality Improvement Framework, and is the overarching strategic management tool which directs and supports school improvement in establishments across Aberdeenshire. At the heart of the framework is the notion that self evaluation practice within each school drives improvement aimed at delivering positive outcomes for children and young people in Aberdeenshire.

“Self evaluation is a reflective, professional process through which schools get to know themselves well…Improvement Planning builds on that self knowledge by involving us in understanding and valuing the best of that which already exists, deciding how good we can really be, and identifying the best way forward.”

The Journey to Excellence Part 4: Planning for Excellence , HMIe , 2007

In partnership with its schools, Aberdeenshire Council will work to provide education of the highest quality to meet the aspirations of pupils, parents, staff and the wider community

“….to secure that the education is directed to the development of the personality, talents and mental and physical abilities of the child or young person to their fullest potential”. Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000, Section 2

Aberdeenshire Council is committed to support and challenge schools and staff in their efforts to nurture an ethos of achievement and to develop focused improvement strategies.

“A pre-requisite for sustained improvement is the recognition by all staff that there is indeed a need for improvement, and that improvement is possible. Giving learning and teaching the highest priority, results in improvements in ethos, behaviour and outcomes for learners.” Improving Scottish Education, HMIe, 2006

Aberdeenshire Council acknowledges its statutory duty to educate the whole child and to promote the active involvement of children and young people in their learning.

“To enable all children and young people to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.” Ambitious, Excellent Schools, HMIe, November 2005

The school’s Standards and Quality report is an important component of the School Improvement Framework which provides an account of the progress the school has been making in implementing it plans for improvement, together with an update of the school’s own assessment of the quality of its provision in relation to a set of recognised indicators, which reflect national, authority and school level priorities.

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3. Vision, Values and Aims

Our Vision

Our vision for Udny Green School is to have an ethos of excellence where every child will be valued, and provided with the opportunity to achieve their full potential in a safe and secure environment.

Our Values

Respect Responsibility Honesty Fairness Kindness

Our Aims

To provide a stimulating, welcoming and safe environment in which to learn

To raise attainment, encouraging all children to work to the best of their ability

To encourage a supportive climate where all are able to work effectively as a team

To involve parents in all aspects of their child’s learning

To build good relationships between school, parents and the wider community

To ensure equal opportunities for pupils in our school

To provide sufficient and appropriate resources to support learning

To maintain effective self-evaluation procedures to ensure continuous improvement

To value and promote health and well-being among pupils and staff

To continually improve the skills and professionalism of all staff

SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS CONFIDENT INDIVIDUALS EFFECTIVE CONTRIBUTORS RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS

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4. The School in Context

Udny Green School is a small rural school situated in the village of Udny Green. It serves a catchment bordering on , Cultercullen and . Udny Green is one of 12 primary schools in the Meldrum CSN with P7 pupils moving to Meldrum Academy for secondary education.

The present roll stands at 31 pupils in two composite classes: P1-3 and P4-7. Many of the children are local to the village and immediate surroundings and around one quarter use school transport. There are also a number of out of zone children.

The staffing complement is in line with the National and authority guidelines – 2 full time equivalents with a Head Teacher relief to allow the head teacher management time, 0.1 Support for Learning and 4 visiting specialists for the year.

In addition instructors visit to offer recorder tuition. Part- time non- teaching staff include a Classroom Assistant, Children’s Supervisor, Cook, Administrator, Receptionist/ Clerical Assistant, Cleaner and Janitor.

The school has a skilled and committed team of staff and enjoys an excellent and supportive ethos.

The school has two teaching rooms and two general purpose rooms. One of these serves as a computer and music room with a cookery area and a range of curriculum resources and the other is used for ECO work, table tennis and storage.

The school grounds are being developed to provide different habitats as a rich learning environment and include a wooded area, a pond and an orchard. The school was awarded its third Eco-Schools Green Flag in November 2011.

The school was last inspected in May 2006 to assess the extent to which the school was continuing to improve the quality of its work. Good progress had been made in meeting the points for action and the school has gained a very good reputation in the community for the many innovative and fun learning events and projects it undertakes.

Partnership with parents is extremely important and by working closely with them we can achieve the best for our children. Through this partnership, children will develop as successful learners and confident individuals, working to the best of their ability. Communication with parents is through a regular newsletter via email, GLOW and the regularly updated school website.

The school is well served by the Parent Council which is very supportive of all school activities and we will continue to develop links with the council.

As part of the Udny Green community, the school also tries to involve friends and neighbours as well as parents in the activities of the school. Children are encouraged to contribute to all areas of school life and so become effective contributors and responsible citizens.

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5. Progress Check – Evaluating the Schools Previous Improvement Plan

School Improvement Priorities 2011 / 2012

No Improvement Priority Evaluation / Impact Evidence

1 Curriculum Development Pupils show increased enthusiasm, motivation and Classroom observation and monitoring by HT understanding of core skills. Peer observation by teachers More interdisciplinary learning and teaching taking place. Monitoring of planning for learning

Pupils more involved in their own learning. Pupil Personal Profiles and setting of individual targets Increased standards of attainment and achievement across the curriculum. Pupil self-evaluation and learning conversations

Monitoring of attainment levels

Stakeholder questionnaires

2 Assessment and Moderation Pupils self and peer assess with confidence. Pupil Profiles including I Can e-portfolio

Pupils meet learning outcomes at appropriate Learning Conversations levels. Pupil tracking Pupils demonstrate good attainment in formal assessments. Assessment data

Staff self and peer assess with confidence, using Classroom observation and monitoring experienced gained. Standards and Quality Report Arrangements for moderation and quality assurance of assessment in place within school and across the cluster.

No Improvement Priority Evaluation / Impact Evidence

3 Self Evaluation and Improved standards of attainment and achievement Minutes of collegiate meetings Continuous Improvement for all pupils across the curriculum. Minutes of meetings with stakeholders, Understanding of the key features of an excellent questionnaires, surveys school. Pupil observations and sampling of work Staff are more confident when working with colleagues in the evaluation of learning and Attainment data teaching. Audits Consistent programme of self-evaluation in place using a variety of methods and involving all Standards and Quality Report stakeholders.

Stakeholders actively involved in all stages of review and implementation.

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6. Self Evaluation Audit How Good is Our School 3 (HGIOS3)

Quality Indicator Audit Levels (shaded) Evidence Next Steps

What outcomes have we achieved? 1 Key performance outcomes

1.1 Improvements in performance 1 2 3 4 5 6 Some tools for assessment and Continue to monitor attainment over moderation in place time

Pupil Profiles / I Can e-portfolio Develop tracking systems

Range of pupil achievements in and Continue to monitor quality of out of school learning and teaching

Pupils are confident, happy, caring Continue to develop use of the NAR and well-mannered

Quality Indicator Audit Levels (shaded) Evidence Next Steps

How well do we meet the needs of our School Community? 2 Impact on Learners

2.1 Learner’s experiences 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pupils are motivated and enjoy Continue to develop awareness of learning their own needs as learners

Cooperative Learning Develop more outdoor learning opportunities Pupil Profiles / I Can e-portfolio Begin work on Rights Respecting Pupil Council involved in whole School Award school decisions.

Pupils engaged in citizenship and enterprise activities at all stages

Quality Indicator Audit Levels (shaded) Evidence Next Steps

How well do we meet the needs of our School Community? 3 Impact on staff

3.1 The engagement of staff in the work and life 1 2 3 4 5 6 Collegiate curriculum development Review impact of CPD more of the school meetings – school and cluster systematically

CPD linked to Improvement Plan Continue to plan and assess collaboratively Teaching and learning teamwork

Staff attendance at extra-curricular events

Quality Indicator Audit Levels (shaded) Evidence Next Steps How good is the education we provide? 5 Delivery of education

5.1 The curriculum 1 2 3 4 5 6 Programmes and plans continue to Ensure depth and progression be developed for Literacy, across the curriculum Numeracy, HWB and Interdisciplinary learning using Es & Continue to develop interdisciplinary Os approaches to learning

Trackers for Literacy, Numeracy and Develop skills progression across HWB using Es & Os the curriculum

Co-operative learning established Further development of outdoor with pupils evaluating their groups learning

Transition programmes in place Develop citizenship through Rights - N-P1, P7-S1 Respecting Schools Award

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Quality Indicator Audit Levels (shaded) Evidence Next Steps How good is the education we provide? 5 Delivery of education

5.2 Teaching for effective learning 1 2 3 4 5 6 Learning intentions and success Continue to develop thinking skills criteria shared with pupils and co-operative learning

Pupil set targets and record progress Further use of AifL strategies

Pupils are able to express their views and opinions

5.3 Meeting learning needs 1 2 3 4 5 6 Teacher’s planning Continue to provide support and challenge so all pupils make Observation of learning and teaching excellent progress

Learning conversations with children Ensure pace of learning is appropriate for all pupils Involvement of SFL staff and other agencies Give pupils more responsibility for their learning

5.8 Care, welfare and development 1 2 3 4 5 6 All staff trained in Child Protection Continue to review processes for identifying and referring pupils to Caring attitude of children to each other agencies other Review transition programme – Health promoting school Nursery to P1

Transition programmes in place Review Health and Wellbeing across - N-P1, P7-S1 the curriculum

5.9 Improvement through self-evaluation 1 2 3 4 5 6 Improvement Plan Continue to focus on self and peer evaluation of learning and teaching Stakeholder questionnaires Gather evidence of improvements Records of progress, attainment and made through self-evaluation achievement

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Quality Indicator Audit Levels (shaded) Evidence Next Steps

How good is our leadership? 9 Leadership

9.1 Vision, values and aims 1 2 3 4 5 6 Parental focus group and pupil Develop Rights Respecting School council consultation Award

Learning and teaching planned to promote inclusion

9.2 Leadership and direction 1 2 3 4 5 6 Improvement priorities linked to Communicate school’s aims to the classroom practice wider community

Class visits, peer and self evaluation Develop curriculum planners to share learning with parents Open evenings for parents to share what happens in the classroom

Targeted use of support staff to work with specific pupils

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7. Other Achievements The school encourages an ethos of achievement through: • providing opportunities for participation in a variety of activities • recognition and praise of achievement

Some examples of our achievements this session are:

Curricular

• Whole school visit to TechFest • P4-7 pupils took part in K’Next workshop – Energy Investigators • P1-3 visit to Udny Castle • P7 pupils took part in ‘Hooked’ at Meldrum Academy • Visit from local author, Caroline Clough • All pupils took part in Shell Science Workshops • Pupils participated in World Maths Day • Pupils participated in World Book Day and live author presentations throughout the year • P7 pupils visited the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh • Titanic Evening for parents • All pupils took part in National Science Week • All pupils took part in Generation Science workshops

Health and Wellbeing

• Football coaching for all pupils • Young Leaders played games with children in playground • Weekly skipping organised by parents • Basketball and Rugby coaching for P4-7 pupils • Child Smile tooth brushing in P1-3 • P7 pupils attended Grampian Safe Team event • P4-7 Drugs Talk from the police • Visit from ALEC caravan • P5 & 6 pupils took part in Cycling Scotland Scheme • Inter house competitions including potted sports day, quiz and creative workshop • School football team took part in Strathythan League • P4-7 took part in Olympic Sports Event at Meldrum Academy • All pupils took part in Cricket coaching • P6&7 pupils took part in residential trip to Dalguise Outdoor Centre • Livewire Internet Safety presentation to P4-7 pupils • P4-7 pupils took part in Rugby, Basketball and Cricket festivals • Prize winners in Taste of Grampian Packed Lunch competition

Environmental

• School were runners-up in the Beginning to Blossom competition • Participation in RSPB Bird Watch and becoming A Bird Friendly School • Awarded 3rd Eco-School Green Flag • Wide range of fruit and vegetables grown in school grounds and school garden at Udny Castle • P1-3 pupils grew potatoes for Super Spud project • P4-7 took part in cluster Eco Day at • Participation in Eco Schools Food and the Environment Day • Runners up in P&J competition to design a Sensory Garden

Cultural

• Fortnightly assemblies led by HT, school chaplain or invited guests • P4-7 pupils took part in Doric Doo • Harvest Thanksgiving Assembly held with produce donated to the Cyrenians • Whole school visit to pantomime at HMT • Christmas production of Jesus’ Christmas Party • Scottish Culture week – Burn’s Lunch and Poetry competition • Daffodil Tea with pots of daffodils sold to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care • Individual successes at Music Festival • Recorder group success at Aberdeen Music Festival • P4-7 class took part in Drama Festival • Whole school trip to Aden Country Park

Creativity and Enterprise

• Udny Green Rotakids set up • Turnip Lantern and Easter Egg Competitions for all pupils • Community Cafe held each month • Rotary Club Shoe Box Appeal • Visit from Rotary Shelterbox • Pupils participated in Children in Need • Weekly Music, Art and Drama lessons with Visiting Specialist teachers • Recorder tuition offered to P3-7pupils • P6&7 pupils took part in Rotary Club Quiz • P5&6 pupils took part in Euroquiz • P5&6 pupils took part in Enterprise Event at Pitmedden School • P4-7 pupils took part in K’Nex Challenge and 2 pupils represented the school at the area final

Vocational

• Pupil Council including Eco Committee meet regularly • BP Tutor visit • P1-3 pupils invited various people who help us into school

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8. School Improvement Priorities for session 2012/13

1. Curriculum for Excellence - continue to develop programmes for • English and Literacy -Reading • Outdoor Learning • Inter Disciplinary Learning

2. Assessment and Moderation • Develop procedures for understanding, applying and sharing standards

3. Self Evaluation • Continue to develop and improve our self evaluation procedures in school