Tom Arthur, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire South, recently visited his former school, Barrhead High, to give his congratulations to Head Teacher Fiona Johnston for their amazing inspection report. Tom wrote to Fiona following the publication of Education Scotland’s findings back in January of this year and was delighted to have the opportunity to visit the modern campus.
He was particularly interested to hear more about the Learner Enquiry Project, which has become an area of focus at Barrhead High. A number of the young people have signed up to participate in this partnership project with Strathclyde University, where learners are empowered to research and lead change in many areas of their school life.
Tom also arranged to meet with the Higher Modern Studies classes for a Q&A session covering a wide range of topics from how Tom entered politics locally, to community improvements in the area and his thoughts on newly introduced legislation.
Speaking after the visit, Tom said:
“I was incredibly pleased to read the fantastic Education Scotland report for Barrhead High, a school which is very close to my heart as it is not only in my constituency of Renfrewshire South, but is also the school I went to as a teenager growing up in Barrhead.
“I reached out to Fiona to offer my congratulations for the school’s outstanding achievements and was delighted to go along for a visit and see first-hand the work being done which earned the school the joint best secondary inspection results in the country.
“The staff, pupils and wider school community should be so proud. Having met and had the opportunity to speak to some of the young people, it is no surprise that Education Scotland described the school as “sector-leading”. The fact that 100% of Barrhead High leavers are achieving positive destinations is testament to their fantastic programme of education and preparation for the world of work and further studies.
“These are very well-earned successes and I very much look forward to see what’s coming next.”