A primary school in Renfrew has landed plaudits for its strong performance in a recent inspection.
Kirklandneuk Primary School was praised after it received a glowing report from Education Scotland in December.
Inspectors visited the Ard Road school in October and assessed it as ‘very good’ across leadership of change and ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion, as well as ‘good’ across learning, teaching and assessment and raising attainment and achievement.
The results were welcomed at a meeting of Renfrewshire Council’s education and children’s services policy board. Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, an SNP representative for Renfrew North and Braehead, said she was “delighted but not surprised” at the outcome.
She added: “I want it on record that I would give Kirklandneuk Primary School excellent across the board. I think that they’re an exceptional school. I loved that the report highlighted the holistic aspect of education.
“It’s something that Kirklandneuk do really well … I was also particularly pleased to see leadership highlighted. I think I speak for all of my board colleagues and ones in Ward 2 when I say that Mrs MacKechnie (head teacher) and her team are both well-liked and massively respected in the community and from all elected members.
“They knock on every door and do everything they can to achieve any additional experience they can for their young people… It’s just a brilliant school.”
During its visit, Education Scotland spoke to parents, carers and children and worked closely with the head teacher and staff. Highlighting the school’s strengths, it said: “The confident, polite children demonstrate a good understanding of their school values.
“They are proud of their school, enthusiastic and keen to learn. Relationships at all levels are nurturing and positive. The head teacher, ably supported by the senior leadership team, provides clear leadership and direction to the school.
“This enables the school to move forward at an appropriate pace with its improvement journey. As a result, the staff team demonstrate leadership and look outwards to improve outcomes for children.
“Staff across the school work very well with families and partners to improve children’s health and wellbeing. They collaborate to meet the wellbeing needs of children effectively, including those with barriers to learning.
“Staff encourage and support children to develop leadership skills and take responsibility in a variety of interesting and creative ways. As a result, children contribute confidently and positively to the life and work of the school.”
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