Northfield Academy in Aberdeen ordered to 'urgently improve' after damning Education Scotland report

A secondary school has been told it must “urgently improve attainment” following a damning report.

Education Scotland inspectors rated some areas of Northfield Academy, in Aberdeen – including leadership and learning – as “unsatisfactory”.

Aberdeen City Council will hold a special meeting to discuss the findings and discuss what action to take.

It has also written to the Scottish Government to ask for extra support.

The report comes after members of the EIS union at the school last year voted for industrial action, following concerns about the violent behaviour of a small number of pupils.

Council education committee convener Martin Greig said: “The report indicates that important work is needed to take Northfield Academy forward. This work has already begun.

“We have produced a detailed and intensive programme of action for the school and its community over the next three years.

“I have also written to the cabinet secretary for education to seek Scottish Government support for our efforts.”

Inspectors also found that a majority of parents did not feel their child was safe at the school.

Kathleen Hoy, of Northfield Academy Parent Council, said: “There’s a mammoth job ahead – so the school has got a top-level approach now, and a plan in place.

“It involves work from everybody – that’s the parents, that’s the pupils, as well as the teachers.

“But it’s the whole community now, working together. And pupils understanding, you know, that it’s their future at stake.”

A “tactical team” of education experts, including head teachers from other schools in the city, has been set up to provide extra support.

Inspectors will return to Northfield Academy within six months to monitor its progress.