Nairn Academy’s Positive HMI Report

Staff and pupils at Nairn Academy have received a very positive report from HMIe Inspectors, who visited the school earlier this session.

The Inspectors commended many of the initiatives taking place in the school, highlighting:-

They also commended improvements in the school’s accommodation and grounds, efforts by volunteer staff in the school to develop a computerised tracking and monitoring system and the effectiveness of consultation with pupils and parents.

Improved teamwork amongst senior staff was also evident and the Acting Head Teacher, Douglas Simpson, was commended for his role in ensuring that the atmosphere for learning and for staff teamwork was substantially better, as was the school’s capacity to continue with the improvement agenda.  They paid tribute to the support Mr Simpson had enjoyed from the school’s staff and from The Highland Council’s Education Authority.

The school’s Girl’s Club run by girls for girls to improve participation in physical activity was highlighted as particularly good practice.

Areas for further development included aspects of learning, teaching and attainment in some departments and the school’s self evaluation processes which need to be more focused towards improving classroom practice. 

Mr Hugh Fraser, Director of Education Culture and Sport, welcomed the report. He said: “HMIe will return in a year to monitor progress under a new management team. We have appointed a new head teacher, Mrs Julie MacDonald, who joins us in June with a keen desire to continue to improve a school with a growing sense of pride in its achievements and a strong sense of optimism for its future.”

Councillor Sandy Park, Convener of The Highland Council, also welcomed the report on the 800-pupil school. He said: “This very positive report, allied to the recent complete refurbishment of the Upper School, the imminent provision of a new library and science block costing over £2 million promises a bright future for the school.”