HMIE report - Coldingham Primary School
Monday, October 22 2007
Coldingham Primary School and nursery class were inspected in June 2007 as part of a national sample of primary and nursery education.
The inspection covered key aspects of the work of the school at all stages. It evaluated nursery children’s and pupils’ achievements; the effectiveness of the school; the environment for learning; the school’s processes for self- evaluation and innovation and its capacity for improvement. There was a particular focus on attainment in English language and mathematics.
HM Inspectors identified the following key strengths:
- Very good relationships between staff and pupils and the arrangements to support the care and welfare of pupils.
- Pupils’ skills in information and communications technology (ICT), most notably at P1-3.
- The effective contribution made by visiting teachers and the support for learning teacher which enriched pupils’ learning experiences.
- Well developed partnerships with the local community.
The inspection team found that parents were pleased with almost all aspects of the school, saying that their children enjoyed being at school. All parents thought that the school was well led, and they felt welcome in the school and found parents’ evenings helpful and informative. They also praised the settling in procedures and the work of the staff and commented on the school’s high profile in the local community.
Overall, the quality of attainment in English language and mathematics, at P1 to P7, was good. Pupils were aware of their learning targets in English language and mathematics and were clear about what they had to do to improve their learning. Pupils were attentive and worked purposefully on set tasks. The school took good steps to help pupils develop their wider achievements. At all stages, pupils were making good progress in developing confidence and self‑esteem. In the nursery class children were happy, settled and comfortable with nursery routines.
The report also highlighted that the school took good steps to help pupils develop their wider achievements. At all stages, pupils were making good progress in developing confidence and self‑esteem. In the nursery class children were happy, settled and comfortable with nursery routines.
The quality of pastoral care was very good. Staff knew pupils very well as individuals and were sensitive to their needs. Pupils felt safe in the school and were confident that they could discuss sensitive issues with staff.
Mr Norman Wood, Headteacher, Coldingham Primary School, said:
“We are pleased that the inspectors recognised that this is a happy school with a very positive ethos. Our attainment standards are consistently good and our pupils are well behaved and motivated. All these things are achieved through the teamwork of our staff and the continued support of our parents. We look forward to addressingthe report’s recommendations to build for the future.”
The main points for action outlined in the report are:
- improve the curriculum to ensure continuity and progression in pupils’ learning.
- give pupils more responsibility for their own learning and frequent opportunities to think for themselves and to reflect on ideas, issues and experiences.
- revise approaches to planning and assessment to ensure that teachers use the information effectively to meet the needs of all pupils.
- improve procedures to track the progress of pupils, monitor and evaluate the work of the school and the quality of learning and teaching; and
- improve the leadership of learning.
The school and the local authority have been asked to prepare an action plan indicating how they will address the main findings of the report and to share the plan with parents. HM Inspectors will engage with the school and the education authority to monitor progress, and will undertake a follow through inspection within two years.
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