HMIE Inspection Highlights Strengths Across Craighalbert

We are delighted to share the outcome of our recent HMIE inspection.

Following their visit in April 2026, HMIE Inspectors evaluated Craighalbert as Very Good in both Learning, Teaching and Assessment and Raising Attainment and Achievement.

Heather Gray, Chief Executive Officer of Craighalbert said:

"We are delighted to have received such a positive HMIE report which recognises the unique contribution and positive impact of Craighalbert for children with complex communication, learning, health and care needs in Scotland. The report clearly demonstrates the strengths of our current approaches and reflects the strong commitment of our team to work together to support children and young people to thrive and achieve."

The report highlights a number of important strengths across the Centre and recognises the commitment of staff to supporting children and young people with complex communication, learning, health and care needs.

Inspectors found that staff work very well together to create and sustain a positive school culture. They highlighted the very high expectations staff have of what children and young people can achieve and recognised the way staff meet learners' communication, learning, health and care needs.

The report also acknowledges the strength of communication support across the Centre. Inspectors noted that staff use symbols, eye gaze technology and computer programmes to ensure children and young people's voices are heard and that they are supported to improve their communication skills.

A further strength identified was the close partnership working between education and health professionals. HMIE recognised that staff meet daily to ensure clear plans are in place to support learning, health and care needs throughout the school day, enabling children and young people to make the most of their learning time.

Inspectors also highlighted the expertise of staff across the Centre, noting that education and health professionals are highly qualified and very well trained. Together they carefully assess children's needs and plan learning programmes that suit individual learners.

Importantly, HMIE found that children and young people are attaining and achieving very well and are gaining a growing number of qualifications and awards that demonstrate the progress they are making.

For one family, these findings reflect their lived experience.

When their daughter first visited Craighalbert, she was a young child with complex physical and communication needs. Her family were looking for a setting that could provide the specialist support she required.

What stood out immediately was the Centre's integrated approach.

Her parent recalls:

"What stood out was their integrated approach, therapy built into her daily routine, all specialists under one roof, and access to hydrotherapy."

Today, she is a secondary pupil who continues to thrive with support from a team who know her well and continually adapt learning opportunities to meet her needs.

Her story reflects the importance of specialist education and the impact that highly skilled staff, personalised support and strong partnership working can have on children and families.

You can read the family's story case study here: Finding the Right Support: A Family's Journey with Craighalbert

Read the full HMIE inspection report here: https://educationinspectorate.gov.scot/find-an-inspection-report/details/?id=2177

We would like to thank our children and young people, families, staff, trustees and supporters for their contribution to this positive inspection outcome.

Together, we remain committed to enabling children and young people to achieve their full potential.