HMIe Inspection Report on Poolewe Primary School
HMIe inspected Poolewe Primary and Nursery recently and noted the following key strengths:
• Confident children who attain well and enjoy talking about their learning and achievements.
• Children’s ability to work well on their own and in small groups.
• Teamwork between staff and their support for children’s learning.
• Partnerships with parents and community links which enhance children’s learning.
• Leadership of the Headteacher.
In their very positive report on the school, Her Majesty’s Inspectors stated that the nursery children were motivated effectively to learn and talked confidently to one another. Across the primary classes, they noted that children were confident, articulate and developing independence. They enjoyed learning and responded very well to challenges. Inspectors said that there were examples of well paced and exciting lessons. Pupils had a sound understanding of sustainability and the school had achieved a second Green Flag from Eco-Schools Scotland. Children experienced a broad range of activities which helped pupils to achieve widely. They were developing secure citizenship skills by taking part in charity and community events.
In the nursery, pupils enjoyed listening to stories and looking at books. Their skills in early mathematics were developing well through play. In the primary classes, almost all children were making good progress in reading, writing and mathematics. Children could read well and expressively to each other and were able to talk in depth about books which they had read. Inspectors also stated that children wrote well creatively, including poetry. Staff planned a wide range of enjoyable and challenging, often active and relevant learning experiences for children. The school’s approaches to supporting children’s personal and social development were very good.
Inspectors also noted that all staff, including support staff, helped those children who have additional support needs very well. Children are challenged effectively in their coursework. Overall, staff ensured that the pace of learning enabled all children to make very good progress.
In their report Inspectors stated that the school has developed highly effective links with members of the local community which enhances children’s learning. The head teacher promoted a positive ethos of achievement. She had a strong commitment to the school and community. She was held in high regard by parents, children, staff and wider community.
HMIe identified two recommendations for the school which include continuing to develop recording and tracking systems using Curriculum for Excellence to ensure children continue to progress well and to include the nursery more fully in developing school policies and practices.
However, Inspectors are confident that the school will be able to make the necessary improvements in light of the inspection findings and stated that they will make no more visits in connection with this inspection.
Commenting on the report Mrs Margaret Young, Head Teacher, who also has management responsibility for Gairloch Primary School, said: “This is a very good report which acknowledges all of the hard work of pupils and staff. Pupils at Poolewe Primary are keen and enthusiastic and a credit to us all. Both parents and pupils value the quality educational experiences provided by a dedicated staff.”
Chairperson of the Parent Council, Wilma Drummond, also commented: “After representing the Poolewe Primary School’s Parent Council in a Highland Inspection I was impressed by the whole process. I found the inspector I dealt with very approachable, easy to talk to and felt that he showed great interest in our wee school. I was impressed that the whole aspect of the school was looked at, not just academic but social and extra curricular activities also, which is reassuring in these times of change especially with the introduction of ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ not only for parents but for staff also. It was clear all through the process that anyone with questions, concerns or input to give, could do so and in confidence. The importance of good communication within the school e.g. Parent Council meetings was highlighted to me and what a powerful tool it can be. I felt the report was accurate and gave justice to the school.”