HMIe inspection report on Carbost Primary School, Skye
An HMIe report on Carbost Primary School, Skye, has recognised the children’s rich and stimulating experiences in the nursery class and friendly and courteous children at all stages who support each other well.
The inspectors said the children in the nursery were happy, settled and good at forming relationships with staff and their peers. They were familiar with nursery routines and confident in choosing activities and partners, with minimal adult support. Both in the nursery and at the primary stages, many children achieve well in a range of activities. Children at the primary stages achieved well when taking an active role in music and physical education activities. They made effective use of computers when they were researching and when they were preparing final copies of written work. Children in P7 learned about teamwork and leadership during their annual residential visit. HMIe noted an example of how learning had improved where a teacher developed and built on activities which promote all children’s citizenship skills.
Inspectors also noted that children in the nursery were making a good start and good progress in their learning. In early language, most children were developing appropriate listening skills and spoke confidently. In early mathematics, most children were developing an appropriate range of skills. At different stages in the primary classes children had produced good pieces of writing for different purposes. Children were progressing better in mathematics. By P3, most children could add and subtract two digit numbers confidently. In the middle and upper stages most children were making appropriate progress in written and mental calculations.
HMIe also stated that expectations of children’s conduct were appropriate. As a result, almost all children were courteous and friendly with one another and with staff.
The Inspectors, however, have also made a number of recommendations for the school which include the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to improve children’s progress and achievement through better learning and teaching; improving the curriculum by using all aspects of Curriculum for Excellence, and monitoring closely its implementation and the implementation of self evaluation for improvement across all aspects of the school’s work, including developing leadership skills of all members of staff. In addition, HMIe identified the need to involve fully all children, their parents and the community in improving all children’s learning and achievement. Due to the scope of these improvement targets, HMIe will remain engaged with the school and education authority. The council will continue to support the school community as it takes these improvements forward to address the follow-through inspection within one year. At this point, HMIe will report to parents on the extent to which the school has improved. Following that visit, they may continue to check the improvements the school has made. This may include a further follow-through inspection within two years of the original report.
Miss Christine MacLennan, Head Teacher, who also has management responsibility for Struan Primary, said: “This HMIe Report gives us an ideal springboard from which to take our school forward in terms of the improvements suggested. I look forward to working with pupils, staff, education officials and our very supportive parents as we endeavour to do this.”
Claire Campbell, Chairperson of the Parent Council, said: “It is clear from the full report that HMIe has identified areas for improvement within Carbost Primary School. The Parent Council and wider community will continue to work in partnership with the school team to improve the situation for our children. We are confident that the school action plan, developed by senior staff, will drive forward a reinvigorated approach to teaching and learning and the Curriculum for Excellence at Carbost Primary School.”
ENDS