Hamilton MSP Alex Kerr has congratulated St John Ogilvie High School on its impressive Education Scotland inspection report, which awarded one 'excellent' and three 'very good' gradings. He tabled a parliamentary motion at Holyrood commending the school's achievement.
MSP's Praise and Parliamentary Motion
Alex Kerr offered his "huge congratulations" to the staff and pupils of St John Ogilvie High, describing the outcome as "outstanding." He has tabled an official motion at the Scottish Parliament commending the school's achievement, noting that "the glowing evaluation noted that the young people were fantastic ambassadors for their school [and] keen to learn." The motion has so far been supported by 12 parliamentary colleagues.
Mr Kerr told the Hamilton Advertiser: "This result is a clear reflection of everyone's dedication to providing a nurturing environment where pupils can grow and learn. It is a testament to the school's values and the hard work of the entire staff. Our young people deserve to be celebrated for their commitment, and I am absolutely delighted to see their respectful attitudes and efforts recognized at such a high level."
Inspection Details and School Response
The inspection, conducted last term, gave St John Ogilvie High one 'excellent' and three 'very good' gradings. Inspectors highlighted that pupils are "excellent ambassadors for their community, remaining respectful, eager to learn and consistently embodying the core school values of commitment, ambition, resilience and equality." The motion notes that "these achievements are a direct result of the extraordinary efforts of the pupils, teachers, parents, carers and wider school community."
Headteacher Lorna Lawson said: "We are absolutely delighted with this report, which reflects the hard work, dedication, shared vision and values of our entire school community. Our young people are at the heart of everything that we do and it's fantastic to see their efforts, enthusiasm and pride in St John Ogilvie High formally recognised by the inspectors. This success was made possible by the commitment of our staff and the invaluable support from our parents and carers, which will allow us to continue to build on this great report and help us deliver the very best outcomes for every single one of our young people."
Council and Community Recognition
South Lanarkshire Council described the report as "one of the best in the country." Executive director of education Lyndsay McRoberts said: "This report really is sector-leading – it highlights the extremely hard work of Lorna Lawson and her dedicated team, [and] the respect and pride that the pupils clearly have for their school."
The motion also congratulates headteacher Lorna Lawson and the senior leadership team for their exemplary leadership and continued commitment to educational excellence, as well as the pupils for their clear dedication to education. The school, which has around 1,200 pupils, was praised for its bespoke data tracking systems and its "highly effective" School Shouldn't Cost campaign.
