Ayr Academy has shown “strong progress” in areas where improvements were required, but attainment levels in the senior phase are not yet where inspectors would like them to be.
The school, on University Avenue, was previously graded ‘weak,’ ‘satisfactory’ and ‘good’ across four quality indicators in His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland (HMIE) findings published in March 2025, following an inspection in November 2024.
In quality indicators relating to raising attainment and achievement, the school was graded ‘weak.’ Gradings of ‘satisfactory’ were applied for learning, teaching and assessment, as well as leadership of change. The school was graded ‘good’ for ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion.
Progress in learning and teaching
HMIE officials returned to the school in October and revealed that a number of areas where improvements were previously required are on the right track. One requirement said all staff should continue to ensure there is “high-quality learning and teaching” in “all lessons,” including a focus on planning tasks and activities “set at the right level of difficulty” to meet the learning needs of all young people.
The fresh report reveals that “strong progress has been made” in this area. The report said: “Senior leaders and staff have worked hard to create a more consistent approach to learning and teaching across the school. Staff are working well to develop a shared understanding of what high-quality learning and teaching looks like across the school through the implementation of the ‘Ayr Academy Lesson’.”
Lessons now follow a “clearer structure,” says the report, and teachers have “higher expectations” of young people. As a result, young people’s engagement in learning “has improved.”
Stronger culture of ambition
Another area of improvement related to approaches to “evaluate the work of the school” to help ensure staff at all levels are “more confident” at applying national standards to all aspects of change and improvement. Progress is being made, with the report stating: “Senior leaders have created a stronger culture of ambition, aspiration and success across the school. Staff and young people demonstrate higher expectations and greater confidence in improvement activities. Senior leaders have strengthened arrangements for checking the quality of the school’s work and supporting improvement.”
The previous report also highlighted a need for all staff to “work together” to raise attainment and aspiration at all stages across the school. The HMIE report said “sufficient progress” had been made in this area. The report said: “Attainment in S1-3 is improving, with more young people achieving expected Curriculum for Excellence levels in literacy and numeracy than in previous years. Staff are making better use of attainment data to identify young people who require support and to intervene earlier when concerns arise.”
Senior phase remains an issue
Raising attainment in the senior phase, with a particular focus on English, maths and top quality passes across all subjects, remains an 'issue,' though. The report said progress has “not yet been sufficient” to secure the required improvements, adding: “There are early signs of improvement in entries and attainment in some courses, particularly at S4. While this is encouraging, attainment in English and Mathematics remains too low and is below national measures and that of similar schools.”
In a letter to parents and guardians, HM Inspector Jacqueline Gallagher said: “The school has made progress since the original inspection. We will ask for a report on progress for the area for improvement related to attainment in the senior phase within 12 months of the publication of the letter. This report will inform any decision made by HMIE regarding further engagement. This may include another inspection visit.”
“When such a decision is made, we will write to parents again, detailing the improvements the school has made and outlining any further action, agreed with South Ayrshire Council that we intend to take.”
