Winner of the 2001 Scottish Schools Ethos Award

Haddington Infant School, East Lothian
Contact: Lorna MacLeod, 01620 823271

Haddington Infant School provides education to over 400 children from Nursery to Primary 3. HMI had commented on the good school ethos, in particular the 'strong ethos of giving'. This helped prompt headteacher Lorna MacLeod to enter for the Award. The school promotes an ethos of community, aiming to develop positive and responsible attitudes within the school and in the local and world-wide community.

Every nook and cranny in the school reflects the children's work, their thoughts and their achievements. Parents are engaged in the life of the school through workshops to help them teach their children and through 'Helping Hands' in the classroom. All members of staff, whatever their role, share in the implementation of the school development plan. Teaching staff have recently embarked on a 'Sharing Expertise' programme allowing them to share good practice by spending time in each other's classes observing and team-teaching.

The school is very much aware of its part in the local community and works to maintain a high profile in it. The school's aim to build a school for the street children of Brazil reflects the desire to stimulate the children to know and care about what is happening in the world around them.

Joint Runners Up

Children's House Nursery
Edinburgh
Contact: Maureen Baker, 0131 661 1401

The Nursery serves an area of multiple deprivation. Staff work hard to ensure that parents are valued and have a sense of belonging to the Nursery. Parents, staff and children learn alongside each other and enjoy experiences in the wider community working with other professionals and experts. To meet the agreed priority of developing numeracy, the 'Number Bags' project evolved which brought together staff, parents and children in partnership. Headteacher, Maureen Baker notes that although the child was at the centre of the project, the learning by staff and parents was equally important. Now the school has a resource that promotes number work as fun and a source of sharing and learning for parents and children.

Fortrose Academy
Highland
Contact: Douglas Simpson, 01381 620310

Fortrose Academy has established the 'Seven Pillars of Ethos' as a foundation for development. These are: respect, support, motivation, communication, responsibility, opportunities and improvement. The school aims to sustain an atmosphere of mutual respect, providing support through a mentor scheme, an 'open door' communication policy and pupil support departments. Staff have high expectations of every pupil and the underachievement of boys has been tackled. Channels of communication to reinforce the school's positive ethos have been established both within the school and looking out to the wider community. Pupils are offered opportunities to develop responsibilities and skills. A former pupil has written to Headteacher Douglas Simpson to say that 'one thing that will always remain with me is the friendly heart of the school'.

The closing date for entries to the 6th Ethos Award will be 28th February 2002. We would strongly encourage schools to enter - past winners of the Award have emphasised the tremendous boost that recognition gives too all members of the school community.