Concerns have been raised in the Scottish Parliament over ‘seriously flawed’ changes at Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh.
Dumbarton constituency MSP Jackie Baillie has written to Education Secretary Angela Constance, while list MSP Stuart McMillan has lodged two questions.
Unions have also spoken out about after exam results which fell below the national average, and councilors have asked for pupils to be allowed to take exams in S4 in line with practice in other schools.
In Highers the pass rate at Hermitage Academy was 75% compared to the national average of 79% – 680 exams were taken and 169 failed to get a pass mark.
With National 5 exams – which have replaced Standard Grades – not being taken in S4 there is no fall back for these pupils.
National 5 results show the pass rate at Hermitage Academy was 50% compared to the national average of 80% – 416 exams were taken and 207 failed to get a pass mark, although some pupils may have been awarded a National 4 qualification based on successful coursework.
Councillor James Robb asked for the school to be given additional funding and said: ““It is almost two months since the disappointing exam pass rates at Hermitage Academy were made public.
“Parents are anxious to know if this was due to the unique model at this school where exams in S4 are by-passed. It was a traumatic year for the then S5 pupils with many late changes to target exams and to curriculum.
“The council is still refusing to release details of attainment but the debate about whether the current system is helping students achieve their full potential is long overdue.
“It is probably too late to change the experiment for the current S5 but for students in the lower years, parents are demanding that their children be allowed to sit National 5s in S4 like other schools.”
Jackie Baillie said teachers had expressed serious concerns about the implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence at the academy.
The EIS and SSTA unions have issued a joint statement criticising the new Senior Phase model as ‘seriously flawed’, with teaching time for sciences being reduced.
Jackie said: “The teachers’ lack of confidence in the new system should be a wake-up call for the Scottish Government and Argyll and Bute Council to take action.
“We need an urgent review, involving the teaching staff and unions, to ensure that no more young people are let down in future.”
Mr McMillan has lodged two questions at Holyrood, asking Ms Constance about representations received from unions concerning Hermitage Academy, and about recent discussions she may have had with the council about that school.
A council spokesperson said the senior phase qualification model was developed in consultation with parents through the parent council, parental consultation evenings and newsletters.
She added: “The model was designed in a way that courses would last for two years toward qualifications, avoiding over assessment in S4, and allow for pupils to be presented at the most appropriate exam level. Many pupils have done well.
“As part of building on this for all our young people, the council and the school have been looking for opportunities for further improvement.
“This involves speaking to pupils, parents and staff. Any actions identified will be taken as they arise.
“Progress will be reported in December when exam results for all secondary schools in Argyll and Bute, including Hermitage Academy, will be considered by the council’s community services committee.
“In the meantime if parents have any concerns or questions we would invite them to contact the school directly so they can resolve them together.”
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