Stoneyburn Primary receive glowing report

Nov 5 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

PUPILS at Stoneyburn Primary School are happy, confident and proud of their school.

This was according to a report by HM Inspectors of Schools, which said Stoneyburn had a number of key strengths, including a positive ethos.

There are good relationships in the school, the children are cared for and treated well and there are high expectations of them in all aspects of school life.

Inspectors visited the school, which has a roll of 97, in September as part of the national survey of primary education.

They noted that the children benefit from good quality learning experiences, stating that almost all children are motivated and eager to learn.

They work well together in pairs and small groups and are becoming more independent and can take on responsibility for their learning.

At most stages children are becoming active in their learning and are at the early stages of identifying targets to improve their own work.

Inspectors said across the school, children are successfully planning aspects of their class topic work and achieve success both inside and outside the classroom.

They are also developing a very good awareness of environmental issues through their whole-school theme on 'food and farming'.

The report also highlighted the commitment of all staff to improving children's learning and the good practice in the school's use of the local environment to develop children's learning.

Executive councillor Andrew Miller congratulated the school, saying: "Staff, parents, carers and pupils can be very pleased with this report which highlights key strengths.

“We believe that the school is well placed to take forward the recommendations of the inspectors.

“It is great that the children are happy, confident and proud of their school."

The inspectors recommended that the school should continue to improve attainment and ensure that tasks and activities meet the needs of all learners consistently well.

They also said the school should continue to develop opportunities for parents to be involved in the life of the school and in their children's learning.