In this vast geographic catchment area there are 21 associated primary schools varying in size from large town primaries to small rural schools.
Glencruitten Hostel provides accommodation to enable young people to attend Oban High School from the islands and remote mainland areas.
The school has a modern assembly hall with stage, stage lighting and sound system, very large modern P.E. and Technical block, Science, Art, Home Economics, Computing Studies and Learning Support, Music and Guidance suites.
In addition to suites of computers in Computing Studies, Business Studies and Graphic Communication, every classroom and staff base has at least one P.C. connected to the school network and the Internet. A bookable laptop trolley (classroom set) and LCD projector compliment classroom ICT resources and plans are in the making to purchase additional ICT resources. Hardware and software is backed up by a range of ICT related staff development sessions and one-to-one support.
Learning is always at the centre of our work in Oban High School and this priority is the focus of our Improvement Plan year-on-year. Our staff have undergone a number of staff development courses off-campus and on-campus using external and internal providers. Accelerated learning techniques are visible in classrooms and pupils鈥 work books. This is reflected in our continually improving performance at 5-15, S-Grade, Higher Still courses and attendance. Our pupils work hard and are well-behaved. Staff have undergone training in classroom management and this session, we have had three senior managers trained as trainers in Assertive Discipline techniques. A rolling programme of staff training in this is in progress.
The school curriculum offers a wide variety of courses at all levels with innovation encouraged (for example Higher Still science courses in S3 and S4) and we now have thirteen subjects offering advanced courses in S6.
The school has a positive, inclusive, caring ethos. It is designated to make provision for pupils with significant additional support needs arising from a range of factors. Pupils with additional support needs are taught alongside their peers in mainstream classes and, where appropriate, in a specially designed learning centre which is an integral part of the school.
Effective links with our 21 associated primaries presents a challenge, but it is one which we have overcome in a variety of ways. Our co-operative structure allows us to have regular meetings with primary colleagues and there are co-operative projects in place in Art, English, Mathematics, Languages (French and Gaelic), Craft and Design and Technology, Social Subjects, Physical Education. Primary 7 pupils visit the school on a number of occasions before their 3-day induction in June.
It is our strong belief that education in the widest sense should include personal and social development and apart from that which is provided within the curriculum, our pupils have opportunities to take part in our extremely wide variety of extra-curricular activities, trips and visits. We also have a flourishing after-school study club.
In November 2002 our school was the first Secondary School in Scotland to be awarded the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag Award and was also one of only two Scottish Secondary schools to be included in the 鈥楪ood Schools Guide鈥.
Parents and residents of our area have a high regard for Oban High School and we have a very supportive School Board and Parent Teacher Association. Amongst out many assets we include the area in which we live. There are few areas in the U.K. which can boast such beautiful scenery, rich culture and heritage with tremendous opportunities for leisure pursuits. Although Oban in itself is not a large town, its services and amenities as a tourist venue and service-centre for the surrounding communities are more numerous than towns of similar size.
We are a rural school but are not isolated or inward-looking. We work hard to 鈥渒eep in touch.鈥
HMIE inspection Reports:
HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) inspects and reports on the quality of education in pre-school centres, primary schools, secondary schools, special schools, community learning and development services, colleges, and residential educational provision.
You can read and download any inspection reports for this school, and find out more about the inspection process, on the .