Our School | Braidhurst High School

Braidhurst high is a six year co-educational and non-denominational comprehensive school. The school was opened in 1962 and since 1974 it has been a six year comprehensive with the full range of ability in pupils throughout years one to six.

We are extremely proud of our National Sports Comprehensive Status, one of the first in Scotland, and as a magnet school for talented footballers through our Scottish SFA School of Football status. From August 2012 the school has also hosted a Scottish FA Elite Performance School of Football. The school has a well deserved reputation, with an outstanding climate for learning enjoyed by all our pupils. The quality of educational provision has been further recognised by our SFA Quality Mark Award, gold status as a health promoting school and a platinum award for enterprise.

A recent HMIe inspection highlighted the following strengths and examples of good practice:

The outstanding climate for learning and relationships in the school
Polite, well behaved young people
Young people’s response to challenging tasks and activities, and the very high quality of teaching in a number of departments
Important features of pastoral support, including the ‘Hub’
The sense of identity fostered by the house system, and through the school’s status as a sports comprehensive and school of football
The inspirational lead given by the headteacher, and examples of effective leadership across the school

Examples of Good Practice

The Sports Comprehensive and School of Football
Modern Languages – Opening up Learning
Interdisciplinary Projects – Linking Learning

Braidhurst high school has a very active and thriving informal curriculum. Every pupil in Braidhurst will have the opportunity to participate in a very wide range of social and educational experiences throughout their time in school. A wide variety of sports activities and clubs are available which the school encourages pupils to become involved in. Details of these activities are announced at assemblies, through the school newsletter and are indicated on school notice-boards. Pupils are warmly invited to take part in any of these activities where appropriate. A wide variety of house/inter-house competitions, outings and activities are on offer and pupils are encouraged to participate.

The school is well known for its talent contest, Christmas “Music in Motherwell” concert and annual school show. The school also organises lots of outings and educational trips.

Braidhurst has developed excellent home school links with pupils and their families to keep them informed about what is happening in the school. The success of the school is greatly enhanced when there are good links between home and school. These links are maintained by letters home, regular parents’ meetings and meetings with senior staff, talks given at school, events and meetings arranged through the parent council, individual contacts with pupil support or senior staff. Close partnership with parents help to promote a more positive and enjoyable all round experience of school for both pupils and parents.

The catchment area of Braidhurst includes the districts of North Motherwell, Forgewood, and Jerviston. Pupils are normally drawn from the associated primary schools which are:

We have extended transition arrangements with a number of other primary schools, due to the School of Football. Pupils are selected from schools across North Lanarkshire and currently we have pupils from over 25 primary schools in S1 and S2. Liaison arrangements with associated primary schools include: P6 Rich Tasks, a leisure visit in November, P7 Enterprise day, a two day curricular visit, an open evening, visit to see the school show and school sports, pupil support staff visits to primary schools and a parent open evening.