Arrochar Primary top of the class

OUTSTANDING - that is the verdict of the schools inspector on Arrochar Primary.

The school and nursery class has received an outstanding report from HM Inspectorate of Education thought to be one of the best ever received by a school in Argyll and Bute.

The school was praised for every aspect of provision for its 67 pupils, which includes 15 children in the nursery class.

All areas of education at the school were evaluated as being either "excellent" which is described by the inspectorate as 'sector leading' or "very good" which the inspectorate use to denote 'major strengths'.

Among the particular strengths highlighted by HMIE were:

• Children"s enthusiastic and motivated attitude to their learning and their achievements across a wide range of activities.

• The breadth of children"s learning experiences.

• The head teacher"s leadership of improvement and the way she involves everyone in developing new learning experiences.

• The quality of staff teamwork and relationships between staff and children.

• The wide range of partnerships with the community which enhance children"s learning.

The Inspectorate also singled out for particular praise that 'the quality of children"s learning experiences is outstanding', 'children benefit significantly from the school"s very close partnerships with parents and the wider community', '(they) behave very well in and around the school and when .. out in the community', 'the school .. successfully develops well-rounded children, with skills and knowledge which will help them throughout life' and 'the head teacher gives inspiring leadership to children and staff and involves everyone in school improvement'.

The report also highlighted that 'the education authority"s significant improvements to school accommodation have had a very positive impact on the quality of the environment for learning.'

Argyll and Bute Council"s Education and Lifelong Learning spokesperson, Councillor Isobel Strong, was full of praise for everyone at Arrochar Primary School and Nursery Class.

'This is a fantastic report, and I warmly congratulate all those who have worked so hard to make the school what it is - pupils, staff, parents and the wider community,' she said.

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