Largest primary school in the Highlands celebrates its success
Around 200 invited guests joined Provost of Inverness, Councillor Jimmy Gray with teachers and pupils of the 354 roll Inshes Primary School, Inverness for a celebration of success.
Marking the occasion, Provost Gray unveiled a plaque which formally marked the official opening of the school almost 2 years after is doors were first opened in August 2007.
Addressing the assembled guests, staff and pupils Provost Gray said: “You are a flagship school not just for Inverness but for the whole of the Highlands. Most of all Inshes is a successful school with innovative learning and teaching with highly motivated staff; high standards of attainment; an excellent recent Care Commission report on nursery and childcare provision; and very high standards of teaching practice which are being noticed by others including the Scottish Government.”
He added: “Some people have asked why we needed to extend the school so soon after it opened. Quite simply we underestimated the extent of planned housing development at Inshes and Milton of Leys; and there is a higher number of nursery and primary aged children in Inshes and Milton of Leys than in any other community in the Highlands and this wasn’t expected.”
The projected school roll for August 2009 will make Inshes the largest Primary School in the Highlands with and anticipated 404 pupils, with 67 nursery and 150 pupils registering for childcare.
Head Teacher Ishbel Gilroy said: “The achievements over the last two years have been phenomenal and I am immensely proud to be leading what has become known as the Inshes TEAM where together everyone achieves more. It has been my privilege to oversee the smooth transition of some 300 pupils from more than 20 primary schools into one new school with its own unique identity. We have a strong body of staff who provide cutting edge, innovative practice that is required for a 21st Century state-of-the-art school with the community at its heart.”
Chair of Inshes Primary School Parent Council Mandy Darroch said: “Staff go the extra mile at Inshes Primary School to ensure that our children become confident individuals and receive the best possible education. A true sense of belonging and identity has been there since the very beginning. Parents are actively encouraged to be involved in all aspects of the school. It is a fun, happy and safe environment and is the best learning experience we could possibly hope to have for our children.”
Inshes Primary school features 15 classrooms, two nursery rooms, specialist facilities for pupils with additional support needs, a multi-agency meeting room as well as a combined school and public library. Community sports facilities include a full-size football pitch and sports hall with bleacher seating. The foyer and reception areas are also suitable for meetings and exhibitions.
The library which now lends around 30,000 books each year is open to the public on Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:15pm to 8pm; Wednesday and Friday 3:15pm to 6pm and Saturday from 10am to 1pm.
The facility was delivered by Alpha Schools (Highland) Ltd, a consortium of Galliford Try Project Investments and Noble Fund Managers, and built by Morrison Construction.