KNOX ACADEMY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2012-15

Whole School Depute Responsible: J Young Priority 1.1 Improvements in Performance What do we want to do? Ensure that pupils move through their education from 3-18 making progress from their prior levels of attainment and building upon their learning. Ensure that pupils experience learning opportunities that are relevant to them and their contexts and that pupils can relate their learning to their contexts. Improve the number of pupils achieving 5+ Passes at levels 3 & 5 at Standard Grade (or equivalent). Recognise the achievements of pupils. Ensure that pupils reach a positive destination post 16 years old. Further develop mechanisms for staff to share good practice in learning and teaching. Ensure consistency in moderation and assessment. Why do we want to do it? To ensure that every pupil at Knox Academy attains and achieves to the best possible and highest level that they can. To ensure that every pupil at Knox Academy achieves a positive post 16 destination. Ensure that all pupils leave KA feeling their successes have been recognised. How are we going to do it? When? Who? Resources? Liaise more closely with Cluster Primary colleagues to ensure that pupils are April 2013 All led by PTCs building on prior knowledge, skills and achievements when they arrive from primary school. May 2013 All led by PTCs Use monitoring and tracking software & procedures to ensure that pupils are supported and challenged throughout their secondary careers. April 2013 SIN & RF & Guidance Improve the monitoring and tracking of pupils in relation to 16+ Leavers Destinations. April 2013 SIN & RF & Guidance Develop opportunities for vocational courses to be taken by pupils. June 2013 All led by R Greenaway Develop the use of e-Portfolios, personal reflection and showcase events to recognise achievement and attainment. (Link with points and certificates) April 2013 All led by PTCs Focus on learning and teaching strategies e.g. AifL & Active Learning in all Faculties. Share good practice across Faculties. Focus on raising attainment at Levels 3 &5 in particular. Develop assessment and moderation of National 4 and 5 courses. Involve parents in a programme to assist learning and offer courses e.g. Talking to Teens. April 2013 March 2013 March 2013 & onwards October 2012 All All led by PTCs All led by PTCs SIN & PSP

What improvements do we expect to see? Improved exam results as evidenced by the data in STACS. E-Portfolios filled in and being used to inform staff, pupils and parents about achievement and attainment. In classroom observation: all pupils are being supported and challenged, there is innovative classroom practice and all pupils are included, pupils know what they are supposed to be learning and why, pupils are demonstrating the 4 capacities of CfE. 16+ Leavers Destination figures improve. Parents are involved in the school building e.g. helping pupils, attending showcase events, attending information and help evenings run by the school. Pupils report that their achievement inside and outside of school is recognised by the school, that teachers tell them how they can improve their learning, and that they feel confident asking for assistance. (S2 Authority-wide Survey).

Whole School Depute Responsible: S Illingworth Priority 5.1 The Curriculum What do we want to do? Continue developing CfE Increase inter-disciplinary learning across the curriculum. Improve the collegiate life of the school through the curriculum. Improve opportunities for personal achievement. Ensure that all transition points are well managed and enable all pupils to achieve and attain to the best of their ability and achieve a positive destination. Ensure that the curriculum is flexible enough to meet the needs of all learners: providing breadth, depth, personalisation and choice. Continue to develop links with the community and involve them in the learning life of the school as well as the extra-curricular activities. Ensure that all staff take responsibility for Health and Wellbeing, Literacy and Numeracy as well as refreshing subject specific areas of the curriculum. Ensure that there is progression for all in their learning. Involve parents in supporting the curriculum. Why do we want to do it? To ensure that the curriculum is based on values shared by the whole school community. To ensure maximum parental involvement in their childs education. To ensure that all pupils achieve the best possible destination post 16. To ensure that pupils value and enjoy their experience of education and that it provides them with an education that matches their context. When? Who? How are we going to do it? Resources? April 2013 MT Continue to develop the curriculum in line with CfE. April 2013 KF, K Mac, RB Ensure that all Faculties are delivering Health and Wellbeing, Literacy and Numeracy Experiences and Outcomes. April 2013 MT Develop a consistent approach to assessment and moderation at National 3, 4 & 5. March 2013 MT & Guidance Pupils will have appropriate subject choices in line with their chosen post 16 destination. June 2013 RG Develop the use of e-Portfolios to track achievement and attainment. Feb 2013 MT Develop closer links with Cluster Primary Schools, Community Learning and Development, Child and Adult Services, local employers and Haddington Community. March 2013 JD Develop Activities Week as a coherent and consistent experience for all pupils S1-3. August 2012 SIL & KMac Institute S6 Tutor 3-year cycle. October 2012 SIN Involve parents in assisting in the school e.g. for reading. April 2013 MT & Guidance Continue to develop systems to ensure robust and impactful use of tracking and monitoring data. Continue to develop the cycle of classroom observations to ensure that learning and teaching are of October 2012 SMT the highest standard.

What improvements do we expect to see? Innovative timetabling to ensure that the needs of all pupils are being met. Pupils are taking up places on vocational courses and Tots n Teens expands to meet the needs of the community and the school. STACS data shows that pupils are exceeding their targets. Pupils are taking up off-site learning opportunities and organising work experience placements outwith the traditional November Week. Pupils are taking part in Social Enterprise projects. E-portfolios are being completed, viewed by parents and teachers and demonstrate pupils abilities to reflect on their learning and decide on next steps. Activities Week meets the needs of all pupils. S6 Group Tutors are taking a more active role in supporting pupils in their final year at school pupils are hitting deadlines, keeping appointments and maintaining high attendance levels. Staff, pupils and parents are using tracking and monitoring data, communicating with each other about expectations and feel supported by each other. Parents are attending school events and are helping in the school. Good practice in learning and teaching is highlighted, shared and implemented across the school.

Whole School Depute Responsible: S Ingham Priority 5.3 Meeting Learning Needs What do we want to do? Ensure that all learners have the opportunities to enable them to attain and achieve to the best of their ability. To address barriers to learning for all e.g. LAC, ASN etc. Ensure that all pupils experience sufficient support and challenge and that learning and teaching allows this to happen. Continue to develop links with parents, partner agencies and the community. Ensure that IEPs and CSPs are appropriate and met. Develop resilience, responsibility and respect in pupils. Ensure that behaviour management is consistent, fair, proportionate and effective. Continue to develop alternatives to exclusions and ensure that support for vulnerable young people is robust. Ensure that all pupils know what it is to be successful and have their achievements recognised. Why do we want to do it? To develop the emotional, physical and mental wellbeing of all pupils. To ensure that all pupils feel valued. To ensure that all pupils have an equal opportunity to achieve and attain within and outwith the classroom. When? Who? How are we going to do it? June 2013 RG et al Develop e-Portfolios. June 2013 MT Institute showcase events. October 2013 SMT Continue to develop cycle of classroom observation with emphasis on pace, challenge and classroom management. March 2013 KMac et al Continue to develop respect-based behaviour management system. December 2012 SIN, RF, CLD Investigate opportunities for Social Enterprise opportunities, work experience placements, and further develop Tots n Teens. October 2012 All Review the Points System and develop further. June 2013 SMT Develop the roles of the PSP and Pupil Council. June 2013 MT Ensure that appropriate learning and teaching strategies are in place to meet the needs of all pupils. March 2013 JD et al Design Activities Week to better reflect the development of the 4 Capacities of CfE. June 2013 MT Develop and relaunch aspects of school ethos e.g. communication, website, Dress Code, service to the community.

Resources?

What improvements do we expect to see? E-Portfolios being accessed by parents and staff and pupils identifying their next steps and development needs. More parents involved in the life of the school. Pupils taking a pride in their work and being able to present their learning to peers, parents etc. Pupils report that behaviour has improved (S2 Authority-wide Survey) Social Enterprise up and running and pupils taking up work experience placements outside of November Week. All pupils being able to undertake courses and opportunities that are relevant to them and that contribute to a positive post 16 destination. Pupils responding favourably to the Points System. A variety of learning and teaching styles being used and catered for in the same classroom. Aspects of school ethos improve: Dress Code, punctuality, litter, communications, displays.