Staff praised for creating ‘calm and welcoming’ environment at Inverness primary school and nursery
Staff at a primary school and nursery in Inverness have created a “calm and welcoming environment where all children are nurtured”, an Education Scotland report has found.
Inspectors carried out an inspection Kirkhill Primary School and Nursery Class back in February.
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During the visit they met with parents, carers, children and staff at the school, which has 133 children attending across six classes, catering for children from Kirkhill, Inchmore, Lentran, Drumchardine, Cabrich, Knockbain, Bunchrew, Clunes and Newtonhill.
The school’s head teacher, who has been in post since 2016, also manages the day-to-day leadership of the nursery at the school, and is supported by two principal teachers who job share the post.
Education Scotland assessed quality indicators of learning, teaching and assessment and raising attainment and achievement where it concerned the primary school, concluding that it should be awarded a rating of “good” on its six-point scale.
The nursery was also evaluated on its learning, teaching and assessment levels, as well as securing children’s progress, for which they also scored “good” for both indicators.
Inspectors found that the school had been “led effectively” by the headteacher, with all staff in the school and nursery having developed “nurturing and supportive relationships with all children”.
It was determined that this had enabled children to engage well in their learning.
In the school, inspectors observed staff providing children with “a broad range of experiences”, both in and out of school, which “develop their skills and interests well”.
Inspectors also noted that in the school, staff use digital technology effectively to “enhance and support children’s learning”.
In the nursery, staff’s focus on supporting children’s wellbeing is helping all children to be “confident and resilient in their learning and play”.
A survey of children attending the primary school revealed that 95 per cent of pupils felt they had “someone they can speak to if they are upset or worried”.
The same percentage said they felt they had “lots of chances to get regular exercise”.
90 per cent said they agreed that their school “helps me to understand and respect other people”, while just 57 per cent agreed that “other children treat me fairly and with respect”.
75 per cent of nursery parents and carers surveyed either agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied with the setting of the primary nursery.
Inspectors advised the school to ensure consistency across classes to enable all children to maximise their progress.
They also identified a need for regular reviews of progress to boost attainment in literacy and numeracy, as an area for improvement.
