The Education Scotland report on Yetholm Primary School and Nursery class has been published.
During their visit in June this year, inspectors talked to parents, carers and young people and worked closely with the head teacher and staff.
The Inspection team found strengths in the school’s work:
- Across the school and nursery, children have regular high quality outdoor learning experiences. This is supporting their enjoyment in learning well as they discover the natural world and the local environment. It is helping children to become confident and independent learners.
- In the school, children contribute effectively to the life of the school through a variety of events and experiences. These include taking part in cultural and sporting events and pupil groups. This helps children to feel valued and included in the life of the school and community.
- In the nursery, staff provide purposeful and enjoyable experiences which support children well to be confident and independent. This is helping children to make good progress in their learning.
Areas for improvement were identified and discussed with the head teacher and a representative from Education:
- In the school, staff should work together to promote further positive relationships, respect and tolerance. This will support children to engage well in learning.
- In the school, senior leaders and staff should improve the quality of learning and teaching. They should ensure all children experience clear routines and expectations. Staff should plan learning which is motivating, set at the right level of difficulty and provides appropriate support and challenge for all children.
- In the school, staff should continue to improve children’s attainment in literacy and numeracy. As part of this work, they should support children to develop further their skills in listening and talking.
- In the nursery, staff should continue to ensure the environment meets the needs of all children well. This should enable all children to engage well in learning. Practitioners should ensure there is a range of resources available to support children’s learning across the curriculum.
Headteacher Catriona Finn:
“We are pleased that the recent Education Scotland inspection highlighted several strengths across Yetholm Primary School and Nursery Class. Inspectors recognised our commitment to high-quality outdoor learning, which is helping children become confident and independent learners. They also praised the purposeful and enjoyable experiences in our nursery, and the meaningful ways children contribute to school life through cultural, sporting, and leadership opportunities. These affirm our dedication to creating an inclusive, engaging, and nurturing learning environment.
“We acknowledge the areas for improvement identified and are already taking steps to enhance positive relationships, strengthen learning and teaching, and raise attainment in literacy and numeracy. Our team is committed to ensuring every child receives the support and challenge they need to thrive. We look forward to building on our strengths and working together with our families and community to continue improving outcomes for all learners.”
Education Scotland will return within one year to carry out a further inspection of the school.