LAW AND PENCAITLAND PRIMARIES IMPRESS THE INSPECTORS

Law Primary and Pencaitland Primary have both just received glowing inspection reports for Her Majesty’ Inspectorate of Schools. The schools were inspected in April and May of this year, when and the inspectors looked at key aspects of the work of the school at all stages. They evaluated the children’s achievements, the effectiveness of the schools, the environment for learning, the schools’ processes for self-evaluation and innovation, and their capacity for improvement.

The inspectors rated Law Primary as excellent on one quality indicator (engagement of staff in the life and work of the school), very good on 14 indicators, and satisfactory on one further indicator. Pencaitland achieved one excellent (management and use of resources and space for learning, 15 very goods and one good. This means that four primaries in East Lothian have now achieved ‘excellents’ over the past year, which is a major feat.

Law and Pencaitland had a number of key strengths in common, for example:

• High levels of attainment in English and mathematics
• Consistently high quality approaches to learning and teaching
• Well motivated and enthusiastic pupils
• Clear leadership by head teacher and management team.

Law was also praised for its broad, relevant and stimulating curriculum, and for the outstanding engagement of its staff in the life and work of the school. Inspectors singled out Pencaitland’s sound arrangements for the care and welfare of pupils and its positive links with parents and the wider community.

Examples of good practice that the inspectors noted at Law included the P7 musical, P6 Victorian Murder Mystery Week and the P3 Around the World presentation. They were also commended for their innovative use of ICT. Pencaitland was praised for promoting active learning.

The Inspectors would like Law to continue to develop numeracy across the curriculum, and Pencaitland has been asked to:

• Develop further strategies in the nursery class to monitor and track children’s progress
• Continue to innovate within the curriculum in line with the principles of Curriculum for Excellence
• Continue to increase the level of challenge for higher attaining pupils in writing and aspects of mathematics.

These points will be addressed in the schools’ action plans.

Neil Barnes, Head Teacher at Law Primary, says:

‘We are heartened that the hard work and commitment of the whole school community-staff, pupils and parents, has been acknowledged and recognised.’

Freda Ross, Head Teacher at Pencaitland Primary, says:

‘We welcome the findings of the inspection report and consider it a validation and recognition of the hard work by staff, pupils, parents, carers and the whole school community.'

Peter MacKenzie. Convener for Education and Children’s Services, says:

‘I’d like to extend hearty congratulations to both schools. The ‘excellent’ rating is very hard to come by, so well done to pupils, parents and staff. We now have four primaries in the county with ‘excellents’. I want to see this trend continuing.’

ENDS

Issued by Jane Ogden-Smith, Public Information Officer, Education and Children’s Services on Tuesday 2 September 2008

Phone: 01620 827199/07990 540 738

e-mail: jogden-smith@eastlothian.gov.uk