Paisley high school celebrating attainment boost praised by inspectors

Glasgow Times

24-06-2025

The Education Scotland team highlighted Gleniffer High's 'commitment to providing a wide range of courses tailored to the needs of pupils requiring additional support needs' leading to an increase in attainment at SCQF levels three and four.
The inspectors also praised 'the caring, supportive relationships between young people and staff that create a welcoming and nurturing learning environment' and 'senior leaders' approaches to encouraging close partnership working.'
Gleniffer High pupils (Image: Renfrewshire Council)
The report added: 'Successful partnerships are developing young people's employability skills and contributing to sustained improvements in the number of young people who achieve positive destinations.'
(Image: Renfrewshire Council)
As areas for improvement, the inspectors said the school should 'continue to develop the 'Gleniffer toolkit' to support teachers in embedding greater consistency in approaches to learning and teaching through professional learning and collaboration' and 'continue to improve approaches to the planning of learning.'
The school's successful netball team (Image: Renfrewshire Council)
They added: 'Teachers should make full use of all available information about young people to ensure that all learners make the best possible progress.'
Lisa Chalmers, headteacher, said: 'I am delighted the hard work and efforts of our staff and learners have been recognised by Education Scotland.
'We endeavour to provide a range of experiences for young people which ensure they have every opportunity to attain and achieve."
Gleniffer High's orchestra (Image: Renfrewshire Council)
She added: 'This report demonstrates our commitment to getting it right for our learners and celebrating their individual strengths and successes.'
Councillor Emma Rodden, convener of Renfrewshire Council's education and children's services policy board, said: "This positive inspection result is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at the school to achieve the very best outcomes for pupils.
'I'm immensely proud of our schools and the work they do for Renfrewshire's children, young people and communities.'
Janie O'Neill, director of children's services for Renfrewshire Council, added: 'Gleniffer High deserves this recognition from Education Scotland which reflects the positive relationships which exist between the young people and staff, which I have witnessed firsthand in my visits to the school, and the commitment of the head teacher and wider staff to doing their very best for the young people.'
Gleniffer High also recently won a UK-wide Rockets for All competition organised by Big Ideas in partnership with the Imperial Space Lab.
A group of fourth year pupils are visiting the London-based lab in June as part of an all-expenses paid trip.