An Ayrshire school has received a glowing report after a visit from Education Scotland.
Blacklands Primary School and Early Years Class in Kilwinning received grades of “good” and “very good” following the visit from inspectors in November 2024.
On the How good is our school? Six-point scale, “very good” is the second-highest available grading and means “that there are major strengths” and “very few areas for improvement”.
Staff at the school and nursery were praised by inspectors for delivering “a very effective range of interventions and opportunities to support children’s emotional and social wellbeing”.
Inspectors also noted that children “are happy, confident and responsible” as well as being proud members of the school community.
Pupils benefit from “warm, nurturing relationships with staff and each other” and staff “feel empowered to lead improvements and activities”.
The head teacher was also praised for providing “clear leadership and strong direction to the staff team”.
For primary stages, the school was graded “very good” in leadership of change and ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion.
It was also graded “good” in learning, teaching and assessment; and raising attainment and achievement.
All four areas were graded “very good” for the nursery class.
Three areas of improvement were identified by inspectors. In a letter to parents they said: “In the school, all staff should work together to ensure there is a consistently high quality of learning and teaching. They should continue to develop approaches to tracking and monitoring of children’s progress.
“In the school and early years class, all staff should continue to develop approaches to planning children’s learning. All staff should ensure children experience progression, support and challenge in their learning across all curriculum areas.
“The headteacher and all staff need to continue to work closely with children and families to improve children’s attendance at school.
“We are confident that the school has the capacity to continue to improve and so we will make no more visits in connection with this inspection. North Ayrshire Council will inform parents/carers about the school’s progress as part of its arrangements for reporting on the quality of its schools.”
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