Welcome

Welcome from Head Teacher Gib McMillan

I am honoured and privileged to be the Head Teacher of Newbattle High School.  I am proud to be leading such a great school where our vision and values are centred on supporting all young people to exceed beyond their potential.  This is reflected in our school motto “Challenge” and our hashtag “AIMHIGHER”.  The school’s ethos is ambitious, inclusive and supportive.

Based within our Community Campus, working together for better outcomes is a priority and I see this every day in action where we know, and are proud of, our students.

We are well supported by our parents/carers, community and partners both in and outside of school.

A few aspects of our vision which sets us apart.  All students are strongly encouraged to stay on until the end of S6 with correct courses to suit every young adult.   These range from Advanced Higher, Work Based Learning, College Delivery onsite, Wider SCQF courses etc.  We have an overwhelmingly nurturing ethos here where every student counts.   This can be seen through our extensive and unique pastoral structure staffed with our Mental Wellbeing Nurse, Teacher of Wellbeing, Nurture staff, Outreach Teacher, Pupil Care and Welfare Officers and our fully funded Positive Learning.  These important roles complement our House and Support for Learning teams.

At Newbattle have gained the European Digital School Award this was recognition of the way we use resources, partners, learning pedagogy etc to ensure that our pupils are advantaged digitally.  We have learner pathways for career, College or University and have engaged Higher Education (Edinburgh University being a pivotal partner), Further Education (Edinburgh College being a pivotal partner) and Businesses as partners in the totality of our curriculum and school.