Lomond School’s boarding facilities have been hailed as “sector-leading” in a glowing new report from the Care Inspectorate published in September 2023.
Burnbrae House in Helensburgh was visited by the national regulator in September and a report published this week has rated the establishment’s quality of support for young people’s rights and wellbeing as ‘excellent’ – the highest possible grading.
Throughout the inspection process, which ran over three days, Care Inspectorate officers spoke with pupils, their families and school staff as well as visiting professionals.
In its evaluation, the Care Inspectorate said Burnbrae House’s performance was innovative and sector-leading, with a pupil’s family member also referring to the boarding school as “one of the happiest, nicest places they had been to.”
Lomond School is an independent school in Helensburgh, which accommodates day and boarding young people. It is currently the only school in Scotland offering access to the International Baccalaureate Diploma and Career Path programmes as well as SQA qualifications.
Burnbrae can accommodate up to 72 people in a distinctly family atmosphere, which the attending young people described in the report as a ‘home away from home’. Staff and pupils, boys and girls, live, work, eat and socialise together in a relaxed and secure atmosphere.
The Care Inspectorate reported the following findings:
- There was an excellent level of care provided to the young people
- Young people had brilliant opportunities available to them
- The staff went over and above to support young people
- There was a pro-active approach to ensure the safety of young people
- Staff had built very good relationships with the young people.
Johanna Urquhart, Lomond School Principal, said: “We are all thrilled to receive this glowing report from the Care Inspectorate.
“Head of Boarding Lesley Serpell and her team have worked tirelessly in ensuring the boarding house ethos matches the wider school and is truly a home away from home. Her warmth, compassion and sense of fun permeates the house and I cannot commend or thank her, our Matrons and our other House staff highly enough. They really are an exceptional team and it is so gratifying to see them receive the external recognition for their hard work that they so richly deserve.
“As our ever-expanding offering continues to grow, we are welcoming more and more pupils from all corners of the globe and I’m sure this report will give families full confidence that their child will be happy, safe and loved under our care.”