ONE school that does not feature in The Herald’s top table, but is leading the way in tackling the impact of deprivation is Vale of Leven Academy in West Dunbartonshire.
Extra classes on Saturday mornings and during the holidays have had a significant impact on the exam success of pupils from the school, which serves some of the most disadvantaged areas in Scotland.
At 38 per cent, the proportion of pupils from the poorest backgrounds is significantly above the national average, but attainment has grown steadily over the past few years.
READ MORE: West coast schools are top of the class in latest Higher results
Between 2012 and 2016 the school’s Higher pass rate rose from 67 per cent to 71 per cent.
And this year the proportion of pupils passing five or more Highers has jumped from 18 per cent to more than 22 per cent.
The school, which serves a number of communities highlighted in the latest Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, including Alexandria and
Renton, has introduced a raft of measures to improve results in recent years.
Headteacher Paul Darroch, who took over last year, highlighted the extra classes outside school time as one of the most important reasons behind the school’s success.
The school offers supported study every week where pupils can revise subjects and learn study techniques.
In addition, in the lead-up to exams, the school offers Saturday morning sessions and revision classes the day before exams. This is further complemented by an Easter Masterclass Programme offered for Higher pupils.
Mr Darroch said: “We have upwards of 80 pupils coming in here on a Saturday morning and that is possible because we have a group of staff here in the school that go above and beyond.
“We noticed that if pupils weren’t getting the support from home it was harder for them, so that extra supported study has been vital.
“We also have supported study after school and an incredible amount of work goes on at lunchtime, as well as the weekend work.”
Other key factors highlighted by Mr Darroch included getting backing from parents to ensure pupils were supported at home.
And he also highlighted a partnership arrangement between schools across the council area to make sure pupils can choose from a full range of subjects at Higher and Advanced Higher.
READ MORE: Herald View: Attainment gap is still stubbornly tough to close
The initiative means resources are pooled and senior pupils can travel to another school if they want to study a qualification not on offer in their own secondary.
Vale of Leven also ensures pupils have access to a range of extra curricular activities, including leadership qualifications and outdoor education, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Mr Darroch said: “If pupils want to go to university that makes their application forms more well rounded, but also gives them that opportunity for development.”
In order to keep a track of how well pupils are doing two raising attainment teachers have been appointed.
Their task is to track individual pupils throughout the year, contact their parents if needed and make sure they are going to supported study sessions.
The school now wants to use tracking and monitoring processes further down the school to identify potential right from the start.
“If we want to close the attainment gap we have to identify potential as soon as pupils come to school and make sure they are supported and get to where they should,” the headteacher added.
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