Published 10 May 2024
Our Lady and St Patrick’s (OLSP) High School in Dumbarton has been shortlisted for Inclusive School of the Year award in the prestigious 2024 TES awards.
The educational awards celebrates the extraordinary commitment, quality and innovation shown by teachers and school staff across the UK. Only the most outstanding individuals and institutions that the education sector has to offer are recognised in the shortlist.
OLSP has been previously recognised as a School of Ambition and shortlisted in the TES awards for Mental Health Initiative of the Year as well as Secondary School of the Year twice. The school also received the ‘Success Looks Different Award’ in 2023 and in the same year were the first secondary school in Scotland to be awarded the ‘National Nurturing School Award’.
The shortlist was compiled by a panel of expert judges, including school leaders and experts. The schools and teachers they chose showcase the best of education across the sector within 21 award categories, covering all areas of school education.
Judges were impressed with the school’s commitment to the nurturing approaches with all staff trained in the subject and pupils following the Compassionate and Connected Classroom course designed to build confidence and support emotional and mental wellbeing.
The school stood out to the panel for its excellent and high attainment in allowing pupils to access the mainstream curriculum, reduce in the number of exclusions and increase the positive destinations achieved. The school were also praised for having bespoke timetables for pupils which increased attendance and supported young people with singular or complex additional support needs.
The school’s Family Support Hub was praised for having interventions tailored to the needs of young people and their families and having access to a range of external agencies. The school’s Pupil and Family Support workers signpost pupils and families to support highlighting the successes of a shared way forward and helping families enjoy progress along the way. The school proactively works to combat inequity, close the attainment gap and break down barriers to learning.
Laura Mason, Chief Education Officer, said: “I am delighted to see the great work of the whole school community being recognized and shortlisted in these awards. The school has rightly been recognised for the hard work, support and commitment to every young person throughout the year. I look forward to the announcement later next month and I wish Mr Smith and all his staff the very best of luck.”
Christopher Smith, Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School Headteacher, said: “I am very proud and grateful to all our dedicated teachers and support staff who work tirelessly and go above and beyond every day to support and nurture our young people. It’s through their commitment and dedication that we have been shortlisted in these very high-profile awards. We also have great support from our families who work so hard with us to ensure their young people achieve their best at school and go on to a positive destination when they leave school.”
Winners will be announced on 21st June at a glittering gala awards night at the Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane, in London.