Largs Academy is preparing for its big move to the new school campus.
It may the last full academic session in the current building, but the secondary school continue to make the most of every opportunity to improve the school and provide the best experiences possible for all our young people, says head teacher Heather Burns.
In January, the school was visited by Her Majesty's Inspectors of Education(HMIE) and they were able to conclude that the school is in a very good place, with many examples of very good work evident across the curriculum and through the extensive extra-curricular activities and opportunities on offer.
Heather said: "Planning the move to the new campus in March 2018 is high on our agenda and we have three main work streams in operation to ensure we move with minimum impact on learning and teaching. We are focusing on SQA and exam preparation, planning the coordination and organisation of SQA course work and exams in detail; we have a team of enthusiastic ‘Decant Champions’ helping to coordinate the move, supporting each Faculty as they clear cupboards and pack up; and we have a Legacy Group, planning the activities around the move which will include an opportunity for former pupils to visit the school before it is demolished. An Open Evening to mark the closure of the building will take place on Wednesday 15th November 2017. If anyone has any information about the school they would like to share please get in touch with Mrs Scott or Mr Martin in Social Subjects.
"Our school motto, ‘labore et disce’ (‘work and learn’), will move with us as we continue to strive for excellence and equity in all we do. We aim to further embed our school values and continue to do all we can to instil an ethos where pupils believe they can achieve their dreams and aspirations. We continue to develop strong and effective partnership working, and value the support and involvement of parents, carers, partners and other agencies to achieve the best outcomes for all our young people."
This session had a strong focus on learning and teaching. Staff have been working together, sharing best practice and looking at the importance of feedback to support pupils’ progress. We have developed strategies to allow us to make more effective use of data to support learning and teaching and improve attainment. Through the development of a nurturing environment, making use of a restorative approach, we continue to build strong and effective relationships with pupils, parents and one another, leading to a more positive and inclusive ethos and a strong school community.
Guidance staff, Careers Advisers and our Principal Teacher with responsibility for Developing the Young Workforce, continue to support pupils into positive destinations, and we have seen the percentage who leave school and go on to university, to college, or into training or employment, rise significantly from 87.9% in 2012 to 98% in 2016. This is a success story we are very proud of at Largs Academy.
Following consultation with all stakeholders, the times of the school day will change from August 2017 to allow a smooth transition to the new campus in March 2018. We will start at 9am and finish as normal at 3.50pm on Mondays and Tuesdays and 3.20pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Details of the changes are outlined in the summer newsletter which is available from the school website. If parents would like a paper copy please call into the school and ask at reception. The newsletter contains key dates for next session, including parent's evenings and school holidays next session.
Thank you for your on-going support, wish you a restful and happy summer holiday, and look forward to working with you in the new session.
Mrs Heather Burns,