HMIe find Ballachulish Primary A Happy School

Ballachulish Primary School provides a happy and secure environment in which all pupils are valued and respected and good leadership is provided by a committed Head Teacher.

These comments were made by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, who inspected the 56-pupil school in April 2005 as part of a national sample of primary education.

Key strengths within the school were identified as:

In particular, parents spoke highly of the head teacher, Sam Clark, and praised the approachability and dedication of members of staff. The school was described as having very effective arrangements for ensuring the care and welfare of all pupils and high pupil and staff morale.

The curriculum provided was good and the overall quality of attainment in English language and Mathematics was also good with standards in reading and writing remaining high over the last three years. The curriculum was enriched by participation in a good range of visits to places of historical and educational interest and at all stages, pupils ran successful enterprise activities. Main points for action were to improve the pace of learning in mathematics in the middle and upper stages, to extend and improve the range of resources for pupils in reading and language development and to attend to health and safety aspects identified. These have already begun to be addressed through their inclusion in the School Development Plan.

Commenting, the Head Teacher said: "I am pleased with the report and that it reflects the dedication and hard work of staff and pupils. We are delighted that the very successful, productive links with parents and the wider community have been recognised."

Mrs Jill Mills, Chair of the School Board said "I am very pleased that this is such a positive report which recognises the commitment of the staff and pupils."