HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 18 AUGUST 2023

It was great to welcome our young people and staff back after the summer holidays. All our young people looked so smart, embraced our new ‘Knox Academy Way’ and have worked really hard to follow our new (restricted) approaches to mobile phone use – wonderful to see them talking to one another instead of heads in their phones at break and lunchtimes. This restricted approach has also helped them focus really well in terms of their learning in classes.

Staffing (new)

Probationer – Erin Laing – Modern Studies

Emma Glass (ASN Teacher) Meadowpark. Dani Hurst and Mason Lees (ASN Auxiliaries at Meadowpark))

Pupil Support Worker – Amber Steele

Welfare Auxiliary – Alison Swallow

ASN Auxiliaries at Knox Academy– Jade Villa and Wenqi Tan (TBC start date)

Calum Blair – Curriculum Leader of Numeracy and Computing – returned to Knox Academy following secondment to Musselburgh Grammar School as acting Depute Head Teacher

Parents’ and Pupils’ Information

School Improvement Plan (SIP) and Standards and Quality Report (SQR)

These documents can found in the School Improvement section of the website. The SQR details the outcomes of what we achieved during session 2022-23 and our SIP details what we aim to achieve this session. 

Attendance

From the outset, we will be having a very big focus on attendance and punctuality (pupils should be in registration at 8.30am). Pupils must be in school to be able to achieve their potential. We appreciate that there will be times when there are reasons they cannot attend but we need to work together to minimise this. Our new approaches to attendance, called Every School Day Matters, also offers a variety of supports for pupils and parents/carers and also outline the impact of even a few days absence. Please take time to read this document and discuss it with your young person. Thank you.

Head Pupils’ Elections

Our Pupil Leadership Team for this session is as follows: Konnall Bunting and Natalie Campbell (Head Pupils); Depute Head Pupils: Lucy Craig, Leila Maycock and Indie Phoenix-Hill. They were elected by staff and pupils following a challenging process of interviews, preparing a manifesto and creating a campaign video. We’ll look forward to working with them across the year as they work to improve our school and have the pupil voice represented.

SQA Results (overview)

The pupils performed really well in the SQA exams in April/May 2023.   Our results were as follows:

Our attainment at A-C for National 5 was 80.1%. This was above the National results of 78.8% and the East Lothian figure of 76%. We had 12 pupils who achieved 7 National 5 passes, all at Band A, and a further 12 pupils who attained 6As and a B or C. We also increased our % of young people attaining one or more qualifications at National 5 was 76.8% (which taking out the Covid years, was the highest since 2017).

At Higher level, our A-C attainment was 80.5%. This was above the National results of 77.1% and the East Lothian figure of 77%. 16 pupils attained 5A passes and a further 8 attained 4As. A number of our pupils also attained very strong results in a combination of National 5s and Higher subjects.

At Advanced Higher, our A-C attainment was 79.1%. This was below the National results of 81.3% and East Lothian figure of 79.8%. One pupil attained 4As in their Advanced Highers and two others attained 3As/B and 4Bs. 9 others attained 2 Advanced Highers.

Within National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher, many young people showed great progress to achieve the grades they did – whether these were As, Bs or Cs. We also had many young people achieving well at National 3 and National 4, with an increase in qualifications achieved by young people at Meadowpark too.

The above statistics are pre-appeal. Our focus this year will continue to be on teaching for excellence, closing our GAP and ensuring that our young people attain the highest level and most qualifications they can that are relevant to them. We will continue to encourage our S6 to take as many subjects as they can as our results in S6 show the more qualifications they do, the better they do. S6. We also need to work together to ensure that, in particular, our S6 cohort see all courses through from inception to completion to guarantee them the best results and reach their potential.

Clothing Grants and Free School Meals

The thresholds have changed as of April for Free School Meals and School Clothing Grants.  Paper application forms are available from our school office for those parents/carers who are unable to complete online ones and the school office can then assist in emailing these for you freeschoolmeals@eastlothian.gov.uk

Knox Academy Way and Reconnecting

Following consultation with pupils, parents/carers and staff, our new approaches to expectations (The Knox Academy Way) and Smartphone Use started on 16 August. We would be grateful if you could discuss these with your young person (and staff here are also doing this at assemblies next week). Thank you for your support in making Knox Academy a great environment to learn and one that is safe for all to attend.

Active Schools

Free August-October Classes live to book this Monday the 21st August from 6pm

Paid September-October Classes live to book 1st September from 6pm

Total Adventure Classes Live to book now

Free access for kids who receive free school meals, care experienced or are a young carer (contact ldaborn@elcschool.org.uk for discount code)

View classes now at www.eastlothian.gov.uk/activeschools

Pupils’ Achievements

Success Stories

Motion to the Scottish Parliament by Craig Hoy

Congratulations to the East Lothian Senior String Ensemble for Winning the Scottish Young Musicians Ensemble of the Year 2023

That the Parliament congratulates the East Lothian Senior String Ensemble for winning the Scottish Young Musicians Ensemble of the Year 2023; recognises the work of team leader, Jonathan Gawn, from the East Lothian Council Instrumental Music Service, and instructors, Fiona Smith, Carolyn Wilson, Pauline Hickman and Ewing Lauder, in coaching the ensemble to win the awards; further recognises the contributions of violinists, Isabella Gold (Knox Academy), Brodie Wallace (Knox Academy), drummer, Ben Gentil (Knox Academy) in winning the award, and thanks the ensemble and pianist, Ivy Briggs, for playing at Craig Hoy MSP's Community Champions Reception in the Scottish Parliament to thank volunteers from across the South Scotland region for their contributions to local communities.

We are very proud of your achievements and so lucky to have such talented musicians at Knox Academy.

Music

Congratulations to Gaslight and Red Raven, two of our very talented school bands, who rocked the stage at Fringe by the Sea, North Berwick, during the last week of the summer holidays. Fantastic to have our young people play to the local and wider community.

Rugby

Following the FOSROC Scottish Regional Rugby Academy training & games over the summer break, Aidan Smith and Hamish Mainstone (both S4) were selected by the U16 Academy Coaches into the Scotland U16 Rugby training squad. Both had their first session at Murrayfield Stadium on Sunday 13th August.  A huge congratulations to both!

If you have any success stories about your young person please send these in to admin@knox.elcschool.org.uk so we can share these with everyone in our school and community. Thank you.

Support

Please can parents/carers make an appointment if they wish to speak to a member of Pupil Support or the Senior Leadership Team.  Last term we had an increasing number of parents/carers turning up, without an appointment, wishing to be seen and although we want to see you, we have been unable to do so as we have been teaching or in pre-arranged meetings. By making an appointment with us via the office, or email, we can ensure a time and date where we can meet to support you and your young person. Thank you.

Please do not hesitate to contact our Pupil Support Team by emailing your young person’s House Team if you would like to discuss any support we can offer.

 

Dates for your diary:

Tuesday 5 September – Parent Council Meeting (all welcome) – Library – 6.30-8pm

Friday 15 – Monday 18 September (inclusive) – holiday

 

Our school calendar is updated regularly and should be used to access all information throughout the year and allows you to plan ahead too.

 

Sue Cook

Parent Council

The Parent Council has requested a footer on my HT’s update that remains there year round and which offers quick links to remote learning resources, course choices, supported study and careers news. Clicking on these headings takes you straight to these pages.

Please also look at our website for lots of other information. Please also follow us on Twitter for up-to-date news on a day to day basis.

Please also remember to follow us at: www.ka-net.org.uk 84CEAEA2   for the latest information and updates.