A Stewarton Academy teacher has been celebrated for raising standards among her pupils at the school. 

Gillian Dunsmuir was recognised by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) for raising attainment for learners studying Higher religious, moral and philosophical studies (RMPS).

Having achieved some of the best results in Scotland, the school welcomed representatives from Education Scotland who visited the school to explore the reasons behind the faculty's success.

Inspectors also looked at a recent Practitioner Enquiry carried out by Miss Dunsmuir, in raising attainment for Higher RMPS learners. 

The teacher also found out that she has been awarded Professional Recognition from the GTCS for Assessment, based on the success of her research into raising attainment for the young people from the school. 

Miss Dunsmuir said: “I am incredibly proud of our young people who have been recognised for achieving some of the best results in Scotland for RMPS.

"I carried out a three-year Practitioner Enquiry, which formalises an alternative approach to teaching through careful planning, assessing and evaluating; with the aim of raising achievement within RMPS.

"I looked at new curriculum materials and strategies that work really well within our school. It was a great honour to be recognised personally by the GTCS for this work.” 

 Councillor Elaine Cowan, spokesperson for education, and children and young people at East Ayrshire Council, said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to Stewarton Academy and Gillian Dunsmuir for being recognised for attainment within RMPS and of course, to our young people who achieved some of the best results in Scotland within this subject area. 

“When you look at the units taken at Higher level, I sadly can’t think of anything more relevant or required for our times.

"RMPS helps teach our young people you can respectfully acknowledge and argue a point while empathising with cultural and moral differences.”