St Andrew’s Secondary School, Glasgow City Council

There is a very strong strategic vision for learning across the St Andrew’s Secondary School with high quality leadership clearly evident and well developed at all levels. There is a vibrant, culture of learning and this learning takes place in the context of a school community where over 75% of the young people live in SIMD 1 and 2, with another 10% in SIMD 3. The whole school vision aligns with this focus on leadership and learning and professional learning is at the heart of making this school a successful, caring place to learn for all.

There is real investment in time for professional learning with close care paid to sustainability of the initiatives. Coaching is very real and present as part of the culture of learning and is central to the ethos of learning, with professional dialogue making a real difference to promoting the growth of professional capital. Teachers are actively encouraged to understand the impact of their learning through critically examining a wide range of sources of information and are encouraged to develop their professional voice and act as leaders of change.

The Panel commended the motivation of staff and their willingness to really embrace professional learning; there is evidence of meaningful engagement because teachers described it as ‘worth it’. As professionals, staff were supported to excel and to find their passion for learning.