HMIe report – Glendinning Terrace Primary School
Tuesday, June 24 2008
Glendinning Terrace Primary School and nursery class were inspected in March 2008 as part of a national sample of primary and nursery education.
The inspection covered key aspects of the school at all stages. It evaluated the achievements of nursery children and pupils; 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:
• pupils’ skills in reading and discussing texts
• opportunities for pupils to develop their enterprise skills
• the range of opportunities for pupils to develop their wider achievements.
• contribution of visiting specialist teachers to developing pupils’ skills in expressive arts
• pupils’ active involvement in setting up a successful healthy tuck shop.
The inspection team found that good links had been made with parents and that there was a supportive parent council. Parents’ views were sought on areas of development which had included policies on homework and behaviour. Parents also valued the opportunities they had to discuss their children’s progress with the staff in the school, who knew their pupils well.
Attainment of pupils was reported as good in English language and mathematics. Strong community and business links were used to widen pupils’ experiences. The report also highlighted that pupils were involved in a range of activities to promote healthy lifestyles and worthwhile activities, which included recycling and composting waste fruit. Pupils were given good opportunities to develop their wider achievements and they were proud of their school.
The report acknowledged the recent tragic death of the school’s Headteacher, Irene Hogg, and highlighted the high regard in which Ms Hogg was held by staff, pupils and parents.
Upon publication of the report, Glenn Rodger, Director of Education & Lifelong Learning added his own tribute to Miss Hogg: “Irene was a dedicated and caring headteacher whose love for her school and pupils was clear to everyone who met her. The legacy she left for her pupils and colleagues was a memory of her infectious sense of humour and genuine enthusiasm for learning. I am pleased with the resilience staff and pupils have shown in coping with this tragedy and I am sure next session they will be ready to move on and build upon Miss Hogg’s legacy.”
Patricia Touw, chair of Glendinning Terrace Parent Council, added: “We welcome this positive report and look forward to the opportunity to work together with the school and our whole community to address the main points for improvement as identified by HMI.”
Both the school and local authority will work in partnership to address the main points for action outlined in the report in order to secure improvement in:
• learning and teaching to improve the experiences of nursery children and primary pupils
• meeting pupils’ needs by challenging them more consistently and supporting all pupils more effectively
• arrangements to support the care and welfare of children and pupils and
• approaches to ensuring equality and fairness.
The school and the education authority have been asked to prepare an action plan indicating how they will address the main findings of the report, and to share that plan with parents. Within two years of the publication of this report, parents will be informed about the progress made by the school.
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