Schools in the Scottish Borders
The schools service is responsible for the education of almost 18,000 children across the Borders. Education is delivered through 9 secondary schools, 65 primary schools (46 with nursery units) and a number of private and voluntary sector nursery providers.
Our schools consistently demonstrate high levels of attainment - well above national average. A number of the schools have support centers to help children with additional needs and offer part-time and full-time placements. We are pleased with this position but not complacent. We have five clearly articulated aims for the schools service that are focused on delivering continuous improvement. These are:
to develop the best learning and teaching experience for all that delivers high standards of achievement, creativity, motivation
and ambition
- to utilise our resources wisely to deliver effective, efficient and empowering learning environments for all
- to promote inclusion and ensure equality of opportunity and access for all and to all areas of the service
- to forge highly effective and productive partnerships and working practices with learners, staff, parents, professional colleagues and communities
- to encourage and develop citizenship in ways that actively promote participation, confidence, responsibility pride and ambition
Further information on our aims and Local Improvement Objectives can be seen in 'Better - next steps for schools 2007 - 2010' the document that links national legislation and priorities, through SBC's Corporate and Community Plans, departmental business plans to school improvement plan.
Our Schools
To find out more about individual schools in each area, please select one of the
areas below:
You can also find information on any other school in Scotland (external link).
School roll forecasts
Twice a year the department publishes school roll forecasts for each school and information on the number of pupils each school can accommodate.
Latest school occupancy forecasts
The above figures are based on projects at 31 March 2009.
Transforming Children's Services - proposals to change the way services to children are delivered in the Borders.
Information on this important project can be seen on the TCS pages on our web site.
Current consultations
There are no consultations underway.
General Information for parents and pupils
For more general and policy information about our schools, please select one of the links below:
- School Holidays
- Casual Holidays
- In Service Days
- Ask Kenny
- Anti bullying policy
- Excursion policy - new Sept 2008
- Attendance and absence management- June 2008
- Accessibility Strategy for Schools 2008/11 - new Nov 2008
- Admissions to the Authority's schools- Updated Policy
- Additional Support Needs
- Better - next steps for schools (Local Improvement Objectives)
- Broadband in school
- Composite Class policy new January 2009
- Parental Involvement Policy
- Music Instruction in Schools
- Application for Assistance 2009/2010
- School Meals
- Getting to School
- Home Education Policy - May 2008
- Pre-School
- Psychological Services
- Personal Learning Planning
- Internet safety policy
- Recruitment of headteachers and deputes
- Byelaws on employment
- Exclusion Policy - June 2007
- Small Schools Policy - second version January 2008
Useful leaflets for parents
A series of information leaflets have been developed for parents on the following topics:
- Admission to the Authority's schools
- The Exclusion Process
- The Exclusion Appeals Process
- Composite Classes in SBC Primary schools
- Resolving complaints about schools.
Parental Involvement
We wholeheartedly support and encourage the involvement of parents in their child's education. In August 2007 the Parental
Involvement Act became effective, giving parents new rights and education authorities new responsibilities to ensure that
parents can become involved in their child's education. All evidence shows that when parents are involved in supporting their
child’s education, children do better. The new Act builds on the good work that has already been done by parents, schools,
School Boards, PTAs and other groups.
The act has three key themes:
- learning at home
- home/school partnership
- parental representation - the new Parent Councils
All parents are now automatically members of the Parent Forum at their child’s school. As a member of the Parent Forum you will be encouraged to support events and activities at the school, get involved in your child’s learning and to support your school’s Parent Council. Each school in the Borders (with the exception of Burnfoot Community School which has decided to retain its existing parent body) now has a Parent Council. Further details on Parent Councils are available from each school's headteacher.
The Scottish Government's parental involvement support team has published a series of leaflets (above) to guide and help Parent Councils - these can be downloaded from Parentzone (external link). Following consultation with parent councils and schools, SBC's Education Executive approved the Parental Involvement Policy on 3rd June 2008.
Reports
Standards & Quality Report - Year to 31 December 2008 now available
Every year the department produces a Standards and Quality to highlight the department's achievements and next steps.
A copy of the Standards & Quality reports for the previous two years are still available.
Quality Improvement Framework
Scottish Borders Council has developed a comprehensive Quality Improvement Framework for schools which provides the framework for continuous improvement and a robust framework of support and challenge. This is an extremely lengthy document but you can view the whole document or individual sections.
Useful Links
Parentzone (external link) - the website which aims to develop partnerships between parents and schools.
Eco-friendly Kids (external link) - website jam-packed with ideas and tips for you and your children to help protect the environment.
Unified Solutions.