MORE than half of schools in the Scottish Borders have not been inspected since 2012 and three, Broomlands, Fountainhall and Walkerburn primaries have not been inspected since 2007 according to data released under a Freedom of Information request to Education Scotland. 

In total 36 of 69 schools have not been inspected for a decade

Although the figures have been affected by Covid-19, only eight inspections took place in 2019, four in 2018, and just two in 2017.

Education Scotland say that ‘schools are inspected on a proportionate basis, using a sampling approach, rather than a cyclical model.’

Despite the loosening of almost all restrictions in Scotland, inspections have yet to restart.

Local MP John Lamont is calling on the SNP Scottish Government to take action to address this to ensure schools in the Borders maintain their high standards.

He said: “These figures will come as a shock to parents across the Borders. Several schools in our area have not been inspected in the last 15 years. And around half have not been inspected since 2012.

“And this is according to the SNP government’s own education agency. This is another embarrassment for Nicola Sturgeon who said that education would be her number one priority.

“Our teachers do an amazing job, and this has been highlighted during the pandemic when they have had to deal with restrictions in their classrooms, and regular periods of self-isolation for pupils and teachers.

“We need to see a proper plan put in place by the SNP Government to provide regular and rigorous inspections of schools. This will reassure parents and give senior management in our schools guidance on how to maintain the high standards they are expected to uphold.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “School inspections increased in 2018-19 and would have increased further had it not been for the pandemic.

“HM Inspectors of Education have continued to engage with schools in a range of ways to support the education sector during COVID recovery.

“Inspections are not the only method of scrutiny - schools and local authorities also have responsibility for evaluating performance.

“Last month, the Education Secretary announced that a new and independent inspectorate body will be created. It will develop new inspection models and help to assess the overall performance of Scottish education.”

Last school inspection date: 

  • Broomlands Primary School - 31/12/2007
  • Fountainhall Primary School - 31/12/2007
  • Walkerburn Primary School - 31/12/2007
  • Glendinning Terrace Primary School - 30/03/2008
  • Jedburgh Grammar School - 20/10/2008
  • Cockburnspath Primary School - 03/11/2008
  • Stirches Primary School - 02/02/2009
  • Greenlaw Primary School - 02/03/2009
  • Ayton Primary School - 20/04/2009
  • Broughton Central  School - 11/05/2009
  • Newlands Primary School - 18/05/2009
  • Edenside Primary School - 09/11/2009
  • Lilliesleaf Primary School - 08/02/2010
  • Newtown Primary School - 22/02/2010
  • Channelkirk Primary School - 01/03/2010
  • St Peter's Primary School - 01/03/2010
  • Burnfoot Community School - 15/03/2010
  • Halyrude Primary School - 22/03/2010
  • Lauder Primary School - 19/04/2010
  • Yetholm Primary School - 10/05/2010
  • Balmoral Primary School - 15/11/2010
  • Ancrum Primary School - 21/02/2011
  • Peebles High School - 21/03/2011
  • Trinity Primary School - 21/03/2011
  • Westruther Primary School - 21/03/2011
  • Swinton Primary School - 18/04/2011
  • Yarrow Primary School - 24/10/2011
  • Kelso High School - 21/11/2011
  • Heriot Primary School - 05/12/2011
  • St Margaret's RC Primary School (Galashiels) - 27/02/2012
  • Melrose Primary School - 05/03/2012
  • Tweedbank Primary School - 23/04/2012
  • Kirkhope Primary School - 28/05/2012
  • Clovenfords Primary School - 18/06/2012
  • Earlston Primary School -03/09/2012
  • Coldstream Primary School - 26/11/2012
  • Galashiels Academy - 22/04/2013
  • Philiphaugh Community School - 22/04/2013
  • St Joseph's RC Primary School - 02/09/2013
  • Langlee Primary School - 23/09/2013
  • Chirnside Primary School - 07/10/2013
  • Eddleston Primary School - 25/11/2013
  • Selkirk High School - 06/01/2014
  • Reston Primary School - 24/02/2014
  • Wilton Primary School - 17/03/2014
  • St Boswells Primary School - 12/05/2014
  • West Linton Primary School - 19/05/2014
  • Sprouston Primary School - 26/01/2015
  • Denholm Primary School - 20/04/2015
  • Burgh Primary School - 14/03/2016
  • Drumlanrig St Cuthbert's Primary School - 30/05/2016
  • Gordon Primary School - 13/06/2016
  • Newcastleton Primary School - 09/01/2017
  • Knowepark Primary School - 16/01/2017
  • St Ronan's Primary School - 22/01/2018
  • Kingsland Primary School - 16/04/2018
  • Eyemouth Primary School - 17/09/2018
  • Coldingham Primary School - 12/11/2018
  • Priorsford Primary School - 07/01/2019
  • Eyemouth High School - 14/01/2019
  • Stow Primary School - 28/01/2019
  • Berwickshire High School - 04/02/2019
  • Morebattle Primary School - 11/03/2019
  • Duns Primary School - 20/05/2019
  • Ednam Primary School - 23/09/2019
  • Earlston High School - 28/10/2019
  • Hawick High School - 20/01/2020