Councillors heard this week that pupils in East Ayrshire schools had achieved their best ever examination results.
East Ayrshire schools show a sustained improvement by pupils in S4, S5 and S6 and show that the council is outperforming their benchmarks and in many areas show results which are above the national averages.
Highlights from the published data include:
Attainment in Literacy and Numeracy in S4, S5 and S6 is the highest it has been in the past 5 years and above the virtual comparator and national performance.
Attainment, in terms of average tariff points, has increased in S4, S5 and S6 with identified groups of pupils attaining above the virtual comparator and national performance.
Attainment in relation to deprivation measures, including the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, showing that overall attainment is improving, with demonstrable year on year improvements which compare favourably with virtual comparator and national performance.
This comes at a time when the Council has appointed Loudoun Academy Head Teacher Linda McAulay-Griffiths as their new Head of Education, taking over from Alan Ward who retires in March 2018.
The results show year on year improvement in attainment and achievement in schools across East Ayrshire and Linda acknowledged the work of her predecessor and his leadership, while looking forward to starting in her new post.
She said: “I can’t wait to get to grips with the job and to work with staff across the Education Service to help our young people to set their aim high and pursue even greater heights of achievement.”
Linda grew up in East Ayrshire, but began her teaching career in 1995 in Hertfordshire, becoming Principal Teacher of Maths in 1999, as part of a special measures team.
In 2001, she moved to Wales, progressing to Assistant Head in 2003.
Three years later she joined East Ayrshire Council as a Deputy Head Teacher at James Hamilton Academy and in 2013 was appointed Head Teacher of Loudoun Academy. She has worked at national level with the Scottish Government and Education Scotland.
“Working with the pupils, staff, parents, carers, businesses communities and stakeholders in and around Loudoun Academy has been a huge privilege and honour and it has been a real joy to witness the transformation of the school and our school community.
“I will leave the school with a very heavy heart but am confident that, when appointed, my successor will take the school forward in the most outstanding and positive direction, continuing the improvements we have already secured.”
Councillor Fiona Campbell, Cabinet Member for Skills and Learning said: “I warmly welcome Linda’s appointment as Head of Education and know how highly regarded she has been in her headship at Loudoun Academy.
“I am confident the inclusive and community focused-approach she has brought to her teaching and management will be a fantastic asset to the future direction of education in East Ayrshire, building on the solid foundations set down by Alan Ward.”
Linda concluded: “With eleven years spent in East Ayrshire schools and indeed growing up here, I am wholly committed to ensuring that every young person in East Ayrshire has an excellent education, leading to the best possible destinations in learning, life and work.
“I look forward to working with a wide range of partners within, across and beyond our council to secure this, building on the fantastic work that has already gone before me.”
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