HT Update: Week-ending Friday 13th March 2026

Friday 13th March 2026

This concise weekly HT Update is generally published every Friday afternoon.  It’s a simple opportunity for you to also feedback/ask questions via the link at the bottom of each Update.  Any feedback received will be responded to and published on Monday on the school website.  

No feedback was received from the last HT Update.

Key messages from this week  

Calendar:  Significant events week beginning 16/03/26;  on Wednesday we have students involved at the Global Infrastructure Showcase Event at Heriot Watt University;  on Thursday we’ll hold our 10th Annual Sports Personality of the Year Awards Ceremony, see below; on Friday we’ll have students, for the first time, at the Future Assets Final.

Staffing:   Congratulations to Emma Fairbairn who has been successful in securing a fulltime PCWO position in LHS.   She’ll move to this role after Easter.  We have no posts currently live on myjobscotland.

Mobile Phone Consultation Update: Information on this recent consultation is on our website, click here.  Staff were alerted earlier today. Posts were placed on each Google Year Group Classroom for students. The website ‘blurb’ is a summary with the full report available via the link at the bottom of the post.  Thank you to all parents and carers who responded.

EIS Industrial Action:   You will likely be aware of the recent teacher union (EIS) ballot on industrial action.  If the proposed ‘deal’ between the Scottish Government and the EIS is not supported by COSLA later today then national Action Short of Strike (ASOS) is scheduled to begin on Monday.  At this stage there is no planned strike action in Midlothian.   This message is to emphasise that ASOS does not apply to our extra curricular support for students through clubs, Supported Study or our Easter School.  These activities remain voluntary and highly valued by students.  If you’d like to keep up with any proposed industrial action, the EIS website might be a good source,  click here. 

SPOTY:   SPOTY 2026 remains live on ParentPay.  It’s our 10th anniversary event, and will take place on Thursday 19th March.  Tickets can be purchased for £4 limited to 2 per person.  Each student that has been nominated will receive 1 complimentary ticket for the award ceremony. 

Qualifications Scotland, formerly known as SQA:  This week we shared information about upcoming Qualifications Scotland exams, study leave and  study supports,  click here.   Apologies for the initial error in the dates. This has been corrected and to confirm: 

• Study Leave will be from Monday 27th April to Friday 29th inclusive. Students who have exams on 22nd, 23rd or 24th April will be entitled to a day’s study immediately prior.

Children’s Health in Scotland:  We have been asked to encourage parents, carers and students to take part in the national children’s health rights survey being run by Children’s Health Scotland as the organisation marks its 50th anniversary.  The survey aims to better understand what health and health rights look like for children and young people across Scotland in 2026. The feedback gathered will help inform the work of services, schools and decision-makers supporting children and families.  Parents, carers and young people are invited to share their views. The surveys only take a few minutes to complete, and responses will help ensure children’s voices are heard.

Please take part and encourage your child to do the same. The deadline to complete the survey is Monday 8 June.

• Children and young people survey:  Click here.
• Parents and carers survey:  Click here.

Charity Fundraising, Reminder:  If anyone is feeling charitable then Gavin Fort, our Schools Walking Development Officer,  is doing a sponsored abseil off the Falkirk Wheel on the 22nd to raise money for Walking Scotland (the national charity that champions walking and wheeling.) If you would like to donate to support Walking Scotland’s work in schools then follow this link: click here. 

EfL Annual Surveys, Reminder:  It’s that time again! The annual Equipped for Learning (EfL) annual surveys are now live. EfL is the Midlothian team that supports the 1 to 1 Chromebook programme as well as approaches to digital learning and teaching.  The team is keen to hear the voice of families.  Please if you have a spare few minutes take the time to complete the survey.  It can be accessed via Family Survey.

This year the surveys are more important than ever! EfL have commissioned an independent research report to assess the impact of the work across schools. Stakeholder surveys are a key measure in deciding what to do more of, less of and build towards to best meet the needs of young people. 

 

Feedback here

Take Care

Campbell Hornell,  Head Teacher

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