St Ninian’s High School in Giffnock receives best inspection report in Scotland

St Ninian’s High School has achieved the best ever secondary inspection report to be issued by Education Scotland.
St Ninian's High School head teacher John Docherty, with pupils Grace Studham, 
Ali Alani, 
Poppy Rose Wright, 
James Lockhart, 
Mareesa Cassidy and 
Joseph Creighton. (Photo: 
Mark F Gibson / Gibson Digital)St Ninian's High School head teacher John Docherty, with pupils Grace Studham, 
Ali Alani, 
Poppy Rose Wright, 
James Lockhart, 
Mareesa Cassidy and 
Joseph Creighton. (Photo: 
Mark F Gibson / Gibson Digital)
St Ninian's High School head teacher John Docherty, with pupils Grace Studham, Ali Alani, Poppy Rose Wright, James Lockhart, Mareesa Cassidy and Joseph Creighton. (Photo: Mark F Gibson / Gibson Digital)

The Giffnock school, whose pupils regularly achieve some of the top exam results in the country, has been praised for the overall holistic education provided.

Inspectors scrutinised four areas of work during the week-long visit, with the school achieving two ‘excellent’ evaluations and two as ‘very good’.

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The quality of ‘raising attainment and achievement’ and ‘leadership of change’ were both recognised as being sector-leading, whilst ‘learning, teaching and assessment’ and ‘ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion’ were evaluated as very good.

Head teacher John Docherty’s leadership was singled out for high praise, with the entire senior leadership team also credited with helping deliver “outstanding outcomes” for pupils over a sustained period of time.

Other areas of highlight included the staff’s commitment to continuous professional learning, the highly motivated pupils who are determined to succeed and the “climate of aspiration” which has been created in the school.

Mr Docherty, who has been at the helm of the school for 14 years, said: “It is an absolute privilege to be head teacher at St Ninian’s High School and this excellent inspection report is reward for all the hard work put in by staff, pupils and parents over many years.

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“We always strive to provide the very best education for all our pupils, with a strong focus on giving them the skills they will need for later life.

“Our approach to preparing young people for employment involves a wide range of partners, and it is extremely pleasing to see this recognised by Education Scotland.”

Councillor Paul O’Kane, Convener for Education and Equalities at East Renfrewshire Council, said: “This is an outstanding inspection report for St Ninian’s and I’m delighted for everyone at the school.

“To achieve two excellent evaluations under Education Scotland’s new inspection approach makes this the most impressive report across the whole country, which is a phenomenal achievement.”

St Ninian’s High School has a roll of 1,800 and has a number of famous former pupils, including Scotland and Liverpool star Andy Robertson and Laurence Olivier Award nominated actor James McArdle.