Work is underway at Preston Lodge High School to address recommendations made in a recent inspection report.
Preston Lodge benefits from a caring and committed staff team who will be key to this process.
Education Scotland visited the Prestonpans-based school in October. Inspectors met with parents, carers and young people and worked closely with staff and the Head Teacher.
"Strong relationships"
In a letter to parents sent on 21 January, the body praised “strong relationships between staff and young people [that] create a calm learning culture where young people are proud of their school.” They also highlighted that partners and pupil support staff work well to provide individualised provision for young people who require targeted support, noting that “this helps young people to improve their wellbeing and to feel included and engaged in school.”
Inspectors recommended that work should be undertaken by the Head Teacher to identify the school’s own strengths and areas of improvement which would lead to clear school improvement priorities. Learning programmes for S1-S3 should be reviewed and a whole school focus should be implemented on tasks and activities set at the right level of difficulty to meet learning needs more effectively. Inspectors also recommended that all staff should develop a clearer overview of existing support provisions including to support improved school attendance.
East Lothian Council’s education department is working with the school leadership team to take forward these recommendations and raise attainment.
Work underway
Cabinet member for Education and Children’s and Family Services Councillor Fiona Dugdale said: “Inspections are an opportunity to reflect on what is working well in our schools and what improvements can be introduced to benefit our young people. Work to implement Education Scotland’s recommendations is already underway so that we can ensure that all young people are supported to achieve their potential in school.
“While it has undoubtedly been a challenging few years for the school, our core focus must be on attainment and achievement. Additional staffing resource was allocated to the school while it dealt with RAAC to minimise the impacts on learning. Council officers will continue to support the team at Preston Lodge to take the necessary steps that will successfully drive forward improvements within the school. Preston Lodge benefits from a caring and committed staff team who will be key to this process.”
Inspectors will return to the school by January 2026 to review progress on its recommendations.
The full report is available to view on Education Scotland's website.