HMIe Inspection of Caithness Schools
As part of the inspectorate’s ongoing strategy for evaluating the educational provision of local authorities, reports are issued today (20 April) on the inspection by HMIe of the quality of education at Pulteneytown Academy Primary and nursery class in Wick and Crossroads Primary School, Dunnet in Caithness.
Pulteneytown Academy Primary and nursery class in Wick successfully develops motivated and creative children who are enthusiastic learners ready to take on challenges. This was the view of HMIe inspectors after their recent visit to the Wick school.
The report on Pulteneytown Academy commends the highly-motivated pupils who are keen to learn, proud of their achievements and who play an important part in helping the school to achieve its aims. It acknowledges that they are developing very effective skills in citizenship and enterprise, committed to protecting the local environment, leading an active lifestyle, taking on responsibilities and confidently using information and communications technology to enhance their learning. HMIe confirm that pupils feel safe, happy and very well cared for in school and regularly produce work of a very high standard.
Inspectors highlight the very good quality of education provided in the school and attribute that to the very effective work of all the staff under the outstanding leadership of the Head Teacher and the management team. They all work closely in partnership with parents and the community for the benefit of pupils. The report praises the highly skilled staff for the high-quality experiences they provide for pupils and also for their innovative approach to Curriculum for Excellence, which has been recognised nationally. In the evaluations of the school performance against HMIe quality indicators the school was judged to be performing at the two highest levels of very good and excellent.
HMIe concluded that the school is outward looking, seeking the very best practice, and therefore very well placed to continue to improve. Their recommendation is that staff continue to build on the very effective practice and high-quality experiences for learners
The Head Teacher Miss Lilian Wark said: “I am delighted at such a wonderful report which highlights the hard work and dedication of a talented staff team who provide such a stimulating learning environment for the pupils. I am especially proud of our enthusiastic and motivated pupils who are helping to maintain the long tradition of excellent education in Pulteneytown Academy.”
Parent Council Vice Chair Mrs Heather Cormack said: “The Parent Council is delighted with the report which matches our view of the excellent education we know our children are receiving in Pulteneytown Academy.”
Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “I was delighted to read such a glowing report for a Highland school, and this well deserved report is a tribute to all those involved in delivering the first rate education in Pulteneytown Academy Primary School. It also reflects the Council's efforts to provide continuing improvement in Education Culture and Sports services. I am delighted for the pupils, parents and staff of the school.”
The report on Crossroads Primary School is based on an inspection visit which was carried out in March 2010 and comments on the quality of education at the school.
In the report HMIe highlighted as strengths the children’s ability to reflect and report on their overall achievements; the arrangements made by the school for meeting the needs of children who needed additional support; the active support of parents for the work of the school; and the role played by the school in bringing together the local communities. HMIe particularly praised the school’s welcoming and inclusive ethos.
Inspectors noted that in classes, children are settled and work well and that they have a positive learning experience. Children are taking responsibility for their learning and are involved in planning what they want to learn. The school has successfully competed in a range of events and competitions from the small schools swimming gala to the Caithness Music Festival and children in the upper stages won the tug of war at the Junior Highland Games.
Across the school, the majority of children attain the appropriate national levels in reading, writing and mathematics. Children cooperate well on group tasks and listen to teachers and each other well. Children read a range of texts, including novels and P7s read regularly to children in the nursery. They are beginning to write about and demonstrate an understanding of the books they have read. In the upper stages, children write regularly for a range of purposes. Across the school, the majority of children are secure in using numbers and are developing an awareness of patterns and sequences in Maths.
Staff are taking positive steps to make learning active and the school has taken some positive steps in developing the curriculum taking account of “Curriculum for Excellence”. The curriculum has appropriate breadth and balance and staff have a good understanding of children’s pastoral and health needs as well as clear expectations of children’s behaviour.
As in all reports, HMIe:
• suggest ways in which the school might sustain its agenda for school improvement;
• identified that the school needs to further develop and implement agreed whole school approaches across learning and teaching at all stages to improve continuity and progression in children’s learning; and
• needs to build on existing approaches to self-evaluation to ensure children’s experiences are of a consistently high standard.
Parents are positive about the school and feel that staff are approachable and supportive. An active Parent Council provides very good support to the school and the sharing of topic plans in the upper stages has created good opportunities for parents to be actively involved in supporting and contributing to their child’s learning.
Parent Council Chairman Graham Winkle said: “The Crossroads Parent Council is most pleased to see from the report that our children are having ‘good, positive learning experiences’. There are areas where improvement is needed but the ‘highly skilled’ staff together with ‘very good’ parent support will give our children positive learning experiences and the opportunity to be a success.”
HMIe also recognised that the Head Teacher, Christine Sutherland, has worked effectively with staff, children and parents and has clear plans to take the school forward. Christine said: “I am was very pleased with the report and felt it is very positive and reflected the school well. Staff will now move the school forward by acting upon the recommendations made by HMIe.”
Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “We thank HMIe for a positive and fair inspection report that highlights the good work that takes place in Crossroads Primary as well as giving the school clear pointers for how to make further improvements. We have every confidence that the school will rise to the challenge.”