A headteacher has received praise for 'highly effective' leadership from education bosses after an inspection carried out shortly before lockdown.

North Berwick High School's head Lauren Rodger was described by Education Scotland inspectors as having a clear direction and being well respected.

However while the inspection, carried out in February, praised the staff and leadership at the school and achievements of its senior students, it pointed to improvements required to enable more S1-S3 pupils to learn a foreign language.

The report called for more work to be done to ensure all younger students received their full entitlement to Broad General Education (BGE) in the first three years at the school.

In particular it stated: "Currently, a few young people are not experiencing a modern language until the end of S3.

"In addition, the current arrangement is not sufficient for young people to receive their entitlement to a meaningful experience of a third language."

Inspectors urged the school to ensure the focus was on ensuring younger pupils received full access to experiences across the curriculum and did not allow a focus on reaching exam levels to impact on them.

The inspectors said: "Teachers should ensure that learning at S3

across all curriculum areas remains focused on the experiences and outcomes of CfE (Curriculum for Excellence) and does not prioritise the requirements of National Qualifications (NQs).

"Senior and middle leaders should ensure that learning experiences in S3 provide those young people specialising at fourth level with appropriate depth in their learning to provide successful progression to the senior phase."

Inspectors visited the school in February 2020 and assessed the school’s performance across four key indicators: leadership of change; learning, teaching and assessment; raising attainment and achievement; and ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion.

The school was evaluated as ‘very good’ in the first three categories and ‘good’ in the fourth.

Headteacher Lauren Rodger’s leadership style was described as “characterised by openness and by trust, promoting empowerment in a supportive ethos”. Inspectors highlighted the strong leadership at all staff levels and the use of effective research to support creative learning.

Innovative approaches to teaching and assessment encourage young people to take responsibility for their own learning. Where young people are facing personal challenges, the report noted that targeted strategies are used to support them, and an open climate exists within the school around mental health.

As part of the process, inspectors make recommendations for areas of improvement. The letter outlines recommendations that the school continues with its improvements to the planning process for S1-S3 and reviews its approaches for checking on pupil’s wellbeing.

Councillor Shamin Akhtar, East Lothian Council's cabinet spokesperson for education and children’s services, said: “I’d like to congratulate Lauren Rodger and her team on a very positive report. The inspectors’ comments regarding strong leadership and how this supports pupils’ attainment through creative learning and personal responsibility is a real testament to the school team’s positive work and ethos.

"This report will provide confidence and comfort for parents and carers, and is much-welcomed good news for the school community.”

Lesley Brown, chief operating officer for education at the local authority, said: “I’m sure this report will be welcomed by everyone connected with North Berwick High School.

"I’m especially pleased to see inspectors recognise the work that staff and pupils have undertaken to open-up conversations around mental health and wellbeing.

"This will be especially important in the months ahead as we return to school, and is very much in line with our approach to use nurture to help reconnect and recover from Covid. I’d like to commend Lauren Rodger and her team on their achievements and their commitment to creating such strong learning opportunities.”