Parents are renewing their calls for action after a bid to reverse controversial changes to the exam system at Hermitage Academy was unsuccessful last week.
A campaign group, Parents For Change, is calling for pupils to have the option of taking National 5 exams in their S4 year.
Last week councillors pledged that updates on the review into the new structure will be made public, and acted on urgently if required.
Pass rates in Highers and National 5s fell at the Helensburgh school after a highly unusual system was introduced , prompting protests by teachers’ unions and questions in the Scottish Parliament.
And last week councillors were urged to allow pupils to take National 5 exams in their S4 year.
Bu the motion by Helensburgh SNP councillors was defeated by 19 votes to eight at Thursday’s full meeting of Argyll and Bute Council, after Liberal Democrat Rory Colville and Conservative Gary Mulvaney put forward an amendment.
They stressed that a school’s curriculum model was ‘an operational matter’ and said the council shouldn’t direct any changes before the review was complete – although they did add that earlier action could be taken if the review found ‘critical adjustments’ were needed.
Parents for Change are meeting in the Ardencaple Hotel on Tuesday night and have set up a website, www.parentsforchange.co.uk
They are asking as many parents and pupils as possible to send template letters to people including the school’s headteacher Geoff Urie and Education Secretary Angela Constance.
The full text of the motion and amendment from last week’s meeting are below:
MOTION
Moved by Councillor James Robb and seconded by Councillor Richard Trail:
The council notes that the pass rate at Hermitage Academy for the first S5 exams under the new Senior Phase Model is below the national average for Higher and substantially below the national average for National 5.
Notes the Hermitage Academy Senior Phase Model has pupils embarking on a 2 year course in S4/S5, bypassing certification in S4 and being presented at the appropriate level in S5.
Agrees pupils at Hermitage Academy shall have the option to undertake up to eight qualifications at National 5 level in S4. This does not preclude the substitution of higher or lower grade qualifications, vocational qualifications or other awards if appropriate to a pupil’s ability and maturity.
Agrees that additional resources be made available from within the education budget to Hermitage Academy as required to implement that change and improve overall academic attainment.
AMENDMENT
Proposed by Councillor Rory Colville, seconded by Councillor Gary Mulvaney:
The Council:
Notes the concerns expressed about the current curricular model in place at Hermitage Academy and the possible impact of that model on the 2015 academic results for the school
Reaffirms that the education of our children and young people is a key priority for the Council
Notes that the Council’s Education Service has commenced a review of the curricular model in conjunction with the Hermitage Academy Management Team following the publication of the first year of results
Agrees that the review will consult staff, parents and pupils with immediate effect to ensure their views are reflected in the evaluation and its outcome
Notes that the design of a curricular model for schools, firmly embedded in the Curriculum for Excellence, is an operational matter based on education professional judgement
Notes that it would be inappropriate for the council to direct the design of a school curriculum which is not based on a professional evaluation and prior to the conclusion of the current review
Agrees that any changes to the curricular model at Hermitage Academy should take account of the needs of all pupils at the school, including those currently in the senior phase
Endorses the view of the Education Service that any critical adjustments found to be necessary during the review will be implemented immediately to minimise potential disruption to learners
Agrees that regular updates on the ongoing review, and any resulting changes to the curriculum model, are reported to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee and the Community Services Committee.
Agrees that any policy implications or changes required as a consequence of the review are reported to the Community Services Committee and Policy and Resources Committee for consideration.
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