“A family atmosphere”, “skilled teachers”, “energetic, enthusiastic and lively learners”, “nurturing and caring” – just some of the words used to describe Glenbarr Primary School in a glowing inspection report published today by Education Scotland.
The report praises school staff for providing a safe and engaging learning environment for children to achieve their potential, and describes the atmosphere in the school as that of a family.
Inspectors said there is clear evidence that the quality of teaching across the school is very good, and said teachers provide the right balance of additional support and extra challenge for children, as and when required. The head teacher and depute head teacher are clear about the national perspective of standards and expectations for assessment and achievement of a Curriculum for Excellence level, and they are praised for developing a strategic and proportionate approach to tracking and monitoring children’s attainment.
Pupils are described as being motivated and engaged in their learning and local community, with outdoor learning playing an important feature of the school. Pupils regularly make use of the school grounds, local farming community and nearby woodland and beach, and they are very knowledgeable about their local environment.
The report recognises that children’s wellbeing is central to the work of Glenbarr Primary and described relationships between children and staff as very positive. Glenbarr shares a joint headship with Dalintober Primary School, and inspectors noted that “the outward-looking and solution-focused school leaders and staff” make the most of opportunities to share good practice and expertise across the two.
Inspectors praised the head teacher and staff for having a strong focus on social inclusion and said they strive to ensure that children in Glenbarr have equity of opportunity as learners from larger, urban schools. Staff make the most of all opportunities to involve children in a wide range of out of class activities and projects and, as a result, the children’s experiences are enriched and they each have opportunities to achieve success in a variety of ways.
Robust data presented by the school demonstrates that in June 2022, all children made very good progress from their prior levels of attainment. A few children achieved appropriate Curriculum for Excellence levels in literacy and numeracy, relative to their age and stage, whilst a few exceeded national expectations in literacy and numeracy.
For children with additional barriers to learning, the school’s wealth of evidence demonstrates that they are attaining appropriately for their individual levels of need. Parents feel their children are very well supported and very much appreciate the individual encouragement and attention that their children receive. They feel strongly that the school’s caring and nurturing approach has helped their children to make better progress.
Ƶapp Council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said: “The head teacher, staff and pupils at Glenbarr Primary are a credit to the school. The staff are clearly very committed to providing children with high-quality learning experiences that enable them to thrive and achieve success, and the children are motivated and happy.
“The school provides a nurturing, safe family environment for its children and young people, and this is something that parents and carers strongly believe has helped their children to make better progress. This is a glowing report and everyone involved should be very proud of themselves.”
Head Teacher, Caroline Armour, said: “I am delighted that our recent school inspection report is now published. I am very, very proud that the enthusiasm, commitment and partnerships of our pupils, staff, parents and partners is recognised, alongside our relentless pursuit of achievement, attainment, nurture and care. The importance and vale of the partnership with Dalintober is also acknowledged. Well done to the brilliant .”