'Urgent action' needed at Northfield Academy in Aberdeen where 'pupils don't feel safe'

More needs to be done to make pupils feel safe at a school in Aberdeen which has made “insufficient progress” after failing to improve areas of concern, according to a new report.

A HM inspector first visited Northfield Academy in March 2023 and published a damning report calling for “urgent improvement”.

An Education Scotland inspection took place in September and found that they had a number of issues including student wellbeing as well as a lack of a “purposeful” learning environment.

Officials found that a “significant minority” of young people say they do not feel safe or do not know if they feel safe in school.

Last year, teachers at the school voted to strike over concerns about the violent behaviour of a small number of pupils.

North East & Tayside

School ordered to ‘urgently improve’ after damning inspection report

Council to hold special meeting and ask for support from the Scottish Government.

The latest report also highlighted that pupil attendance and timekeeping is not “sufficiently well” monitored.

“Too many young people are missing from class and are therefore at risk of poor attainment,” the report added.

Student’s learning and teaching techniques in the school were also brought into question.

The report acknowledged that teachers had began to work with students to improve learning and teaching at the school.

The inspector advised that staff should continue to develop a system to track young people’s progress in learning.

“This will help ensure young people understand the progress they are making and what they need to improve.

“Parents should have a clearer understanding of their child’s attainment at all stages.”

Following the inspection, the report said the education watchdog would liase with Aberdeen City Council regarding the school’s capacity to improve.

Education Scotland will also maintain contact with the school and will carry out a progress visit within three months.

Parents will also be informed of the progress made at the school.

An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said: “Since the return inspection in September, considerable further action has been taken to address the areas for improvement.”