STAFF and pupils at a Borders secondary school have revealed that they do not feel safe.

The claims were made in a damning report into the performance of Berwickshire High School, which was inspected in February.

A “considerable number” of pupils and staff divulged to Education Scotland inspectors that they do not feel safe within the school.

Inspectors also branded the quality of learning, teaching and assessment as weak and noted that “across the school, poor behaviour is impacting negatively on learning”.

Leadership at the school was adjudged to be ‘unsatisfactory’, with inspectors citing “an urgent need to improve leadership at all levels across the school”.

SBC’s Chief Education Officer, Michelle Strong, wrote to parents to inform them that she has spent the last four weeks at the school to “gain a clearer understanding of what changes are required in the short, medium and longer term”.

“A robust action plan has been drawn up and progress is being regularly monitored to ensure a positive change by the time the inspectors return in 12 months”, she added.

Whilst the report highlights a multitude of areas requiring improvement, it did praise the school for meeting the needs of young people with severe and complex additional support requirements and the provision of strong opportunities to develop creative learning activities.

The school has already made changes to address the issues highlighted in the report, including the introduction of a detention system and a Wellbeing Hub for those pupils on individualised timetables.

Speaking in response to the report, Headteacher John Clarke, said: “We are disappointed with the inspection outcome and how this reflects on the fantastic young people in our care.

“We have taken swift action to address a number of the priorities and have a strong plan for working with stakeholders over the coming months to ensure further improvements are made, and at pace.”

“Berwickshire High Parent Council Chair, Fiona Morris, added: “As a Parent Council we will continue to support our school’s efforts to address the issues raised in the report.

“We fully support the leadership team and the staff and are encouraged by changes that have already taken place.”