Inspectors report findings from Newmill and East End primary schools

AN INSPECTION of Newmill Primary School has reported strengths at the Keith-based school.

A team of inspectors from Education Scotland visited the school last month, and have reported back ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’ results.

Strengths included the strong leadership and clear direction provided by the headteacher, as well the supportive relationships between staff and children, and the partnership working to improve learning experiences for all children.

They also praised the ‘empowered, committed and active’ children at Newmill, who play their part in evaluating and improving their school.

Now the school will work to make further improvements to learning, teaching and assessment, and continue to monitor attainment in literacy and numeracy for all children.

Meanwhile inspectors carrying out a follow-up visit to East End Primary School and nursery in Elgin have reported their findings.

It follows a full inspection in 2015 of the Elgin school, and another visit in June 2016.

In their latest letter to parents, Education Scotland noted improvements to the learning and teaching of early language and mathematics, the ‘significant success’ of the new behaviour policy in the primary school, and the consistent and appropriate structuring of lessons, following support from Moray Council’s Quality Improvement Officers.

Relationships between staff have also improved, with inspectors noting: “Staff report feeling much more involved in the work of the school and that they work as a team, supporting each other.”

It was stated that there’s still more work to be done, particularly in improving childrens’ spelling, punctuation and handwriting, and a report on progress will be sent to Education Scotland within 18 months.

You can view the East End findings here, and the Newmill findings here.