HM Inspection: Walkerburn Primary School
Tuesday, January 29 2008
An inspection of Walkerburn Primary School and its Nursery Class took place in September 2007
The inspectors identified several very important strengths of the school. These were:
• Positive relations between staff, children, pupils and parents
• Well behaved nursery children and primary pupils who engaged effectively with each other during learning experiences
• The quality of support for pupils with additional needs and the school’s positive approaches to inclusion
• Strong involvement of parents and members of the community in the life of the school
In addition, the inspection team reported that there were good progressive opportunities for learning experiences in expressive arts and good opportunities to develop enterprise skills. Teaching was good with instances of very good. Across the school most pupils were making steady progress in developing confidence and self esteem, were keen to learn and settled quickly to work. Attainment in writing and maths was improving.
The school provided a welcoming, caring environment. The headteacher provided, in her teaching, a model of good practice. She had worked well with staff, parents and pupils to develop effective procedures for promoting positive discipline and was developing a range of appropriate approaches to monitoring the work of the school.
The headteacher Mrs Norman said: "We were very pleased that the inspection team recognised the warm, supportive and welcoming environment that we have developed at Walkerburn Primary School. Our positive relationships with parents, pupils and community are very important to us. I am particularly pleased that the good behaviour of the pupils and their readiness to learn was highlighted. These two strengths provide us with a very good platform upon which to continue to build a successful future for Walkerburn Primary School.
“We recognise that there are areas in which we can improve and are confident in our capacity to deal with the development priorities identified within the report."
The Chairman of the Parent council, Mrs Allen said: “I am very pleased that the positive ethos of the school and the hard work and commitment of all the staff has been recognised. The strong relationships formed with parents and the wider community will ensure continued support for the school’s further development.”
The inspectors identified several areas for further development by the school. These were:
• Improve the balance and structure of the curriculum and make more use of information and communications technology
• Improve pace, challenge and quality of learning experience in order to meet the needs of nursery children and primary pupils more effectively
• Improve attainment in English language and mathematics
• Improve current practice to actively promote equality and fairness
The Education authority and the school are now working together to take forward the recommendations made in the report.
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