Jack McConnell chose for his first education visit as First Minister a secondary school that is basking in one of the best recent inspectorate reports in the sector.

His choice of North Berwick High was also politic: there was unhappiness in East Lothian about a previous HMI report on Musselburgh Grammar and the authority itself, one of seven councils whose educational managements have been inspected so far, received only a lukewarm verdict.

Mr McConnell, who also visited Ross High in Tranent, where standards have been raised through initiatives such as the reintroduction of school uniform and “celebration of success” evenings, commented on the effect good leadership can have. “These headteachers are leading by example and guiding their staff, parents and pupils to improved, more confident performances.

“By improving standards for all youngsters we can help to reduce the gap between the haves and the have-nots,” he said.

At North Berwick High, teaching and learning attracts the inspectors’ commendation, but it is the school management for which their most enthusiastic praise is reserved. The “high profile” headteacher, Colin Sutherland, “inspired confidence” and is highly regarded by staff, parents and pupils.

Giving priority to participation and consultation in running the school, he has provided the basis for good teamwork among the staff. He has given priority to strategies that would raise attainment and improve pupils’ experiences. With a strong management team and a staff committed to these strategies, the results mean that North Berwick is “an improving school”.

Already well above the average, Scottish Certificate in Education performances were growing stronger. In 2000, the number of pupils achieving five or more Higher passes had increased significantly.

Overall, the curriculum teaching was good; in S5-S6 it was very good. There were no major weaknesses in any lessons. One task the school should now set itself is to raise attainment further, especially in the first and second years.

The inspectors say that the school had developed “a clear strategy” for developing information and communications technology skills, including courses for those in S2 and S3. It should now ensure that S3 provision is matched to pupils’ needs and built on their prior learning.

In his comments, Mr McConnell also highlighted the importance of new technology. “One of the strengths identified in the report is the use of computers to support learning through e-mail and online help for homework and tutorials. This not only helps equip pupils for life beyond school but also makes subjects like maths and science even more relevant and, just as importantly, more enjoyable,” he said.

An area inspectors identified as where North Berwick High could improve is in learning support. While provision was good, there should be more time for learning support staff and auxiliaries to consult with class teachers. Records of needs had to be kept up to date and complete, with reviews arranged at appropriate times. Individualised education programmes needed not only long-term targets but more short-term objectives as well. Links with the educational psychological service could be improved.

The school’s development plan is too long and complex, the inspectors complain, but it encapsulates well the aims of the school, and the audit section gave a very good summary of progress. Each priority had been well chosen and systematically set out.

Linked to the plan are highly commendable arrangements for quality assurance tied to a three-year strategy using performance indicators. The headteacher has established a faculty system within which members of the senior management team meet regularly with individual principal teachers and their departments. The head also meets each principal teacher once a year to analyse exam results.

Senior management has undertaken a programme of classroom observations, from which staff appreciate oral and written feedback. From this session, all principal teachers are also taking part in the observation programme.

Staff, the inspectors find, have a very good range of development opportunities, and the level of participation in education authority courses, including training in information and communications technology, has been high. Procedures for evaluating and recording participation were being enhanced.