Dundee School Praised in Inspection Report

Harris Academy has received significant praise for its success in two key areas: raising attainment and achievement, and Learning, teaching and assessment. 

The school received a very positive inspection report following a visit from Education Scotland.  

The report highlighted several important strengths, including strong leadership across the school, including the head teacher and senior leadership team, and the consistently high-quality learning, teaching and assessment across the school. Inspectors also commended the school for creating calm and purposeful environments where young people feel valued and listened to. 

Young people reported that felt proud of their school and were eager to learn, with the 'Harris Pledge’ embedded in every aspect of school life. 

 Pupils in the school achieve well, particularly in literacy and numeracy from S1 to S3. 

Inspectors also reported that the overall quality of the achievements is a major strength of the school.  

Areas of improvement were included in the report. The school has been encouraged to further develop approaches to ensure regular feedback from S1 to S3 on their learning and continue to improve attainment, particularly at S4 in the senior phase. 

Children, Families and Communities Convener Stewart Hunter said: “This is a very positive inspection report that highlights the great work taking place in the school to ensure high quality learning and teaching.   

"I want to thank all the staff at the school, the young people and their families, who all work together to create a nurturing and caring environment.  

“As a council, one or our priorities is to increase the number of young people progressing into positive destinations after school. It’s great to see the school getting praised for providing career focused experiences and out of school activities that help develop essential life skills that will prepare them for the future.  

"There were two areas for improvement identified in this report, and we will take these on board as we move forward.” 

Chair of the Parent Voice, Murray McLeod said: "On behalf of the Parent Voice of Harris Academy, we are delighted at the recent findings and feedback of the inspection recently undertaken by HMIE.   

“This is down to the fact of the young people having an important voice in the school community and committed and inspirational teaching staff, with a dedicated leaders’ team who have already set in stone how they can make progress on further positive outcomes for all young people in the community.”