'Confident and enthusiastic' Carronshore pupils praised by inspectors
Children at Carronshore Primary School are “confident, enthusiastic and attaining very well in literacy and numeracy”, according to inspectors.
That was the view of HM Inspectors of Education who spent time at the school and its nursery class in June and published their report this week.
The report singles out the creative approaches staff use to build learning around what children are interested in, and a nursery where children are supported to show care and kindness to each other.
Four of the five areas examined were rated ‘very good’ overall.
In the primary school, learning, teaching and assessment, and raising attainment and achievement were both rated ‘very good’. In the nursery, curriculum and wellbeing, inclusion and equality were also rated ‘very good’, with learning, teaching and assessment rated ‘good’.
Inspectors found children across the school and nursery are confident and enthusiastic, enjoy learning and engage very well in activities. They noted the headteacher, supported by the depute headteacher, leads staff highly effectively in developing creative approaches to learning and teaching that are closely matched to children's interests.
Nursery staff were recognised for the way they support children to show care and kindness to each other, helping children build strong friendships based on trust and respect.
Inspectors also found children make strong progress as they move through the school, with a wide range of opportunities inside and outside the classroom to build their skills and personal qualities.
Laura Jarvie, Headteacher, said: "This report recognises the creative and exciting way that children learn here ultimately leads to very good progress in all areas including in literacy and numeracy.
"Our staff work hard to create a motivating learning environment that helps children become independent, resilient and confident. Our nursery findings also highlight the friendships children have built there and the care they show one another.
“We are delighted that our approaches to play and enquiry-based learning have been recognised as practice worth sharing beyond the school.
"I want to say thank you to our staff, children and families on such a great result. We will continue to work hard and build on the strengths in the report while continuing to challenge ourselves to deliver exciting and innovative approaches to learning.”
Councillor Iain Sinclair, Falkirk Council spokesperson for education, added: “Four ‘very good’ evaluations out of five is a fantastic outcome for Carronshore Primary, and the team there has earned it.
"What I take from the report is teaching built around what children are curious about, and children who are attaining very well in literacy and numeracy and keep building on it.
"It also points to effective leadership from the headteacher and depute headteacher, and a nursery where children are learning to look out for each other.
"Congratulations to the headteacher, staff, children and families on such a positive result."
In their report the inspectors did highlight some areas for improvement.
Staff in the primary school should support children to learn how to set their own personal learning targets, while staff in the nursery should continue to develop how they plan children’s learning in response to what children say and do during play.
The inspectors said they are confident that the school has the capacity to continue to improve and will make no more visits in connection with this inspection.