East Lothian Courier | News | Glowing report for ‘worst school’

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 17th April, 2008 08:00

Glowing report for ‘worst school’

EAST Lothian councillors this week welcomed a glowing inspection report into the progress achieved by Musselburgh Grammar School – nearly a decade after it was branded “the worst school in Scotland”.

A follow-through report conducted by HMIe (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education) inspectors last month noted the “good progress” made in addressing the recommendations of an inspection two years ago and members of the education committee were invited to congratulate current headmaster, Ronald Summers, and the staff for all their recent efforts.

The report concluded: “Musselburgh Grammar School has made good progress overall in the points for action set out in the HMIe report and has continued to provide a high standard of education for its pupils.”

Inspectors will make no further visits to the school in relation to the recommendations of the report.

Musselburgh East and Carberry councillor, Roger Knox said: “I was on the Musselburgh Grammar School board during the time of the last inspection and I’m very pleased with this report.

“In particular point three (related to staff development), which is tantamount to inspectors saying “you are doing fine just now get on with it!

“The school has fully recovered from the horrendous inspection report which labelled it as the worst school in Scotland.I look forward to subsequent reports and would thoroughly endorse these recommendations.”

Fellow ward councillor Andrew Forrest agreed. “The staff have put in excellent work,” he said.

“And the way pupils conduct themselves at Honest Toun Association events with their public speaking – they are a great reflection on the school.”

The recommendations to note the progress made and the contributions of the headmaster and staff were approved.

In June 1999 education inspectors arrived unannounced at the Inveresk Road school and issued their most scathing report on a Scottish school after witnessing a gang fight and hearing how pupils were concerned for their personal safety.

Inspectors said they saw “a fight between rival gangs at the entrance area of the school” and were aware of other “serious incidents”.

In a survey of pupils’ views, one third of respondents “expressed concerns about their safety in school”.

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