The Education Scotland report on Ayton Primary School published on 5 December has recognised a number of strengths in the school’s work
During their visit in October this year, inspectors talked to parents/carers and young people and worked closely with the head teacher and her staff.
Findings
Inspectors found the children and staff very welcoming, and Ayton Primary School a happy place to learn. Caring and nurturing relationships between all staff and children ensure children feel safe and engage well in learning.
They noted the headteacher provides strong leadership for the school community and is driving forward school improvements well. In her short time in post, the positive impact on children’s experiences and outcomes is evident.
The recent improvements in digital learning approaches are leading to children using technology effectively to enhance and extend their learning.
Inspectors also found positive steps in raising attainment of children across the school, particularly in reading, listening and talking and numeracy.
The following areas for improvement were identified and discussed with the head teacher and a representative from ourselves:
- Senior leaders and teachers should continue to improve high quality learning and teaching across the school. This should include increased opportunities for children to lead and review their learning.
- Develop a robust strategic overview of children’s additional support needs across the school. This will ensure all staff are confident in the range of supports used in Ayton Primary School to meet learner’s needs. This will help senior leaders to evidence more clearly the positive impact of the support children receive.
- Senior leaders need to improve the recording and tracking of data and measure and close gaps in children’s learning more effectively.
Headteacher, Jill Horsburgh
“I am delighted that the recent visit by His Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools to Ayton Primary School in October 2023 recognised the positive ethos of the school, the nurturing relationships between all staff and children, and the progress children are making in their learning across their Broad General Education entitlement of Curriculum for Excellence.
“The strong teamwork of my staff team over the last year has ensured that we have built on the key strengths of the school in the journey to improve learner outcomes and experiences for the children. I am confident that we are in a good position to continue to improve, and we have the capacity to do so.
“I would like to thank the parents/carers and the wider community for their continued support of the school within the village and the wider Eyemouth Learning Community”.
Ayton Primary Parent Council Chair, Amy Meek
“It is really wonderful to read the information shared after the recent HMIE inspection carried out at the school. I feel it is a positive outcome and highlights how our super wee school is developing and improving all the time.
“This is an exciting time for me in my role as chair of the PFA to continue to support the school, staff and children in all areas they need from the PFA.
“I am proud to send all my children to Ayton Primary School and see them flourish and grow within the school community.
"I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff at Ayton Primary School for everything they continually do to always include and support us all”.
Inspectors are confident that the school has the capacity to continue to improve and will make no more visits in connection with this inspection.