GOVERNMENT inspectors have told parents of children at Knox Academy that the school needs to "revisit" its "vision and values" to ensure there is a "shared understanding of respect and the value of learning".

Last December, a team of inspectors from Education Scotland visited the Haddington secondary school, talked to parents/carers and pupils, and worked closely with staff to gauge the quality of leadership, learning and teaching and young people's achievements and wellbeing.

While the inspectors identified strengths such as headteacher Sarah Ingham's engagement with a range of partners in the local community, the wide-ranging S4-S6 curriculum, and the good use of digital technologies, their just-published report highlighted several areas of concern and has triggered a return visit.

The school should: involve all stakeholders in revisiting its vision and values to ensure a shared understanding of respect and value for learning; a new re-invigorated approach to equalities and inclusion is required; the school should continue to focus on ensuring that young people experience consistently high-quality learning; and that staff should continue to build on discussing progress with learners in S4 to S6 to know their own strengths and next steps in learning.

In a letter to parents, HM Inspector Carol McDonald said: "We will liaise with East Lothian Council regarding the school's capacity to improve.

"We will return to carry out a further inspection of the school within one year of publication of this letter."

In its evaluation of Knox Academy, Education Scotland rated its 'Raising Attainment and Achievement' as 'Good'; its 'Leadership of Change' and its 'Learning, Teaching and Assessment' as 'Satisfactory'; and its 'Ensuring Wellbeing, Equality and Inclusion' as 'Weak'.

Inspectors said that Knox pupils were "attaining well in National Qualifications" and that community partnerships were enhancing the curriculum and increasing young people's successes and achievements.

Fiona Robertson, head of education at East Lothian Council, said that the report recognised a number of key strengths, including a wide range of courses on offer to young people, successful engagement with a range of partners in the wider community, as well as good levels of attainment in their National Qualifications.

But she added: "Clearly there are areas requiring some improvement and the council will be working closely with the headteacher and other school staff to ensure that the necessary improvements are made.

"We have already taken a number of steps to address the areas of improvement that have been identified in Education Scotland’s report.

"For example, we have posted an additional depute headteacher to improve the processes and practice relating to equality, inclusion and wellbeing.

"Education Scotland will also be supporting the school in improving these areas.

"We are developing an action plan to address the other areas that have been identified for improvement, and there has been and will continue to be regular meetings between senior managers and the headteacher to ensure that the necessary actions are being taken and progressed.

"In addition, we have arranged for staff to visit other schools that have been highlighted as having effective practice in the areas that have been identified as needing improvement.

"There will be also additional support for the identified subject areas to improve the delivery of the curriculum."

Ms Robertson was "confident" that the school was committed to making these improvements and she looked forward to "celebrating the progress made at the time of the follow-up report".