Aberdeen City Council calls for Scottish Government support after damning Northfield Academy inspection

Aberdeen City Council has called for Scottish Government support to make changes at Northfield Academy following a damning inspection.

The school, on Granitehill Place, has been criticised for failing to develop a “calm, safe and purposeful learning environment” for pupils.

In a report by Education Scotland – shown exclusively to The Press and Journal – inspectors gave the school the lowest grade in all four areas of assessment.

A special meeting of the council’s education and children’s services committee is due to be held on Thursday to discuss the damning findings.

Aberdeen City Council has stressed improvements are already being made as part of a three-year plan but has written to the Scottish Government for additional help.

Education Scotland’s team visited the school, which has 800 pupils, in January.

One of the main issues raised by the watchdog was the lack of “positive relationships” across the school – saying better communication with students is needed.

It comes after teachers raised “serious concerns over the safety of staff” due to students’ challenging behaviour and threatened to strike over “inadequate protection”.

Student performance at Northfield Academy

Inspectors spoke to parents and pupils, and closely observed how the headteacher and staff carried out their work to determine the ethos within Northfield Academy.

While inspectors acknowledged there are some strengths in the school’s work, they identified issues that need to be urgently addressed.

In the report, they have said there needs to be more focus on the students’ performance and career prospects, as well as a clear plan to track and monitor progress.

They also stressed that staff need to work harder on “supporting broader achievements for all young people” and review the number of pupils leaving school in S4 and S5.

However, inspectors pointed out a few youngsters have had “positive experiences in preparing for life and work”.

Issues that need to be addressed

The following areas for improvement were identified by inspectors:

• Senior and middle leaders should work to improve the strategic leadership of all areas of the school.
• Review and update the school’s vision and values.
• There should be a clear and shared understanding of the expectations, direction and identity of Northfield Academy.
• Ensure plans for improvement are agreed with young people, teachers and parents.
• Develop a calm, safe and purposeful learning environment.
• Build positive relationships across the school.
• Young people should be central to discussions about behaviour expectations and feeling safe in school.
• Agree with staff a shared understanding of high-quality learning, teaching and assessment.
• Develop effective processes to plan, track and monitor young people’s progress.
• Ensure the wellbeing needs of all young people are a key part of all school activities.
• Clarify procedures relating to pupil attendance and time keeping.
• Urgently improve attainment from S1 to S6.
• Review the number of young people who leave school in S4 and S5, and those who do not go to a positive destination.
• Make plans to support broader achievements for all young people. The school should demonstrate how young people on reduced timetables are included, educated and safe.

Further inspection in six months

As a result of the inspection, Education Scotland said the school needs additional support and more time to make necessary improvements.

A further inspection will be carried out within the next six months.

HM Inspector Ann Floyd wrote in the report: “We will liaise with Aberdeen City Council regarding the school’s capacity to improve.

“We will return to carry out a further inspection of the school within six months of the publication of this letter.

“We will discuss with Aberdeen City Council the details of this inspection.”

Government support

Martin Greig, convener of the council’s education and children’s services committee, said: “The report indicates important work is needed to take Northfield Academy forward. This work has already begun.

“We have produced a detailed and intensive programme of action for the school and its community over the next three years. I have also written to the cabinet secretary for education to seek Scottish Government support for our efforts.”

Mandy Clark, chairwoman of Northfield Academy Parent Council, said: “The inspection report following the visit identified that the school is at the start of a big journey of improvement, but that process has already started and the school community are keen to look forward.

“Parents and pupils have already joined with members of staff in key activities such as visiting community based schools to help us with the exciting plans we have.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “This report is very concerning, especially for pupils at the school and for their parents and carers.

“While local authorities are responsible for the quality of education in their area, HM Inspectors will be working with Northfield Academy and the council to help ensure that the necessary improvements are made. The local authority has given assurances that this work has started.

“A further inspection will take place within six months and Ministers expect to see progress by then.”