Rosslyn School improves on last inspection

Rosslyn school, which caters for pupils with learning and physical disabilities, was previously classified as ‘weak’ in three key categories.

Terry Carr, inspector with Education Scotland stated: “Overall children and young people are making limited progress in literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing.”

While praising the care and welfare of children at Rosslyn, the curriculum “did not have a clear rationale,” he added.

But an outraged parents group contacted the Press saying the report “missed the point entirely” by focusing too much on academic achievement.

One parent Lynne Scott said: “Clearly they don’t have a clue about the complex needs of children at Rosslyn because they’ve ignored what they actually need.

“This report affects the whole school; it affects morale.

She added: “In the time teachers spend with our children they have to keep them safe, administer medications, deal with personal care and address behavioural problems.”

“Their main priority is to make sure pupils are healthy and safe. They are not in a mainstream school.”

Inspectors visited the school’s old Victorian premises on Viewforth Terrace prior to its recent move to the new Windmill Community Campus.

In a report published this week, Education Scotland said: “The school and education authority have responded well to the inspection and progress has been made with most of the recommendations.

“These changes are evident in classrooms, but they need to be fully embedded.”

While a move to the Windmill campus was “a very good opportunity to develop good practice” it also posed a “challenge for the pace of improvement.”

The inspector added: “As a result, our Area Lead Officer will work with Fife Council to maintain contact and monitor progress.

“We shall ask Fife Council to provide us with a progress report within one year of publication of this letter and decide at that point whether a further inspection is required.”

Paul Meijer, headteacher, said he was delighted inspectors had recognised the hard work and dedication staff put into improvements at the school.

Acknowledging that children and staff would have to adjust to their new purpose-built environment, he commented; “We welcome the report and the support from Fife Council’s education and children’s services directorate which will help to further develop all aspects of the school’s work.

“This will help ensure the very best outcomes for our children and young people.

“Our move to the new Windmill campus, with its state-of-the-art facilities, marks the beginning of the next chapter at Rosslyn School where we can continue to go from strength to strength.”