| Date -22 Jun 2005 | Return to previous page |
New Elgin Primary School has received a good report from HM Inspectors of Education, following an inspection in March 2005 as part of a national sample of primary education. The inspection covered key aspects of the work of the school at all stages. It evaluated the pupils’ achievements, the effectiveness of the school and the environment for learning, the school’s processes for self-evaluation and capacity for improvement. There was a particular focus on attainment in English language and mathematics.
HM Inspectors examined pupils’ work and interviewed pupils, including the pupil council and staff. They also met with the chairperson of the School Board, representatives of the parent-teacher association (PTA), and a group of parents.
The key strengths of the school identified by HMIE were:
¨ Climate and relationships, including commitment and pupil behaviour.
¨ Provision for pupils’ care and welfare.
¨ The quality of the internal environment.
¨ The drive to improve learning and teaching.
¨ The leadership initiatives of the new headteacher.
In general, parents were very satisfied with the work of the school. They thought staff set high standards of work and behaviour, looked after pupils well and communicated effectively with parents. Almost all pupils enjoyed school and thought that staff gave them good support, listened to them and treated them fairly.
The Inspectors commented that he school offered an appropriately broad and balanced curriculum, covering all key areas. Within mathematics, pupils’ learning was not always developed systematically enough. Homework was set regularly and was generally appropriate to pupils’ needs. Pupils generally worked well in class and they were well motivated and attentive.
The overall quality of pupils’ attainment in English language was judged to be good. Standards of attainment over the last three years showed an improving trend. Most pupils were achieving or exceeding appropriate national levels of attainment in listening, talking and reading. A majority were achieving these levels in writing. Mathematics attainment was fair with standards having been maintained but not improved in recent years.
HMIE commented that the quality of pastoral care was good and staff had a good knowledge of pupils and their backgrounds and were alert to pupils’ physical, social and emotional needs. Most teachers organised classwork effectively to meet the range of pupils’ needs but in a few classes work set did not match pupils’ previous attainments.
The overall quality of accommodation was judged to be good. Internally the school presented a bright, attractive and stimulating environment for learning.
The inspectors commented very favourably on the school’s positive ethos. Staff morale was high, pupil behaviour was very good and relationships were based on mutual respect. The school had good links with parents and the community.
In summary HMIE commented that New Elgin Primary was an improving school, with a strong commitment to standards of social behaviour and a renewed emphasis on improving learning, teaching and attainment. Staff were very involved in improvement through the annual audit and planning process. Headteacher, Liz Manley, who had been in post for four months at the time of the inspection was praised, along with the depute headteacher, for the impact they had made on improving learning and teaching, pupil behaviour and the quality of the learning environment.
The appendix to the report summarises the performance of the school judged against various quality indicators, which HMIE use in all inspections. In the report, 2 were judged to be "very good", 10 were "good" 2 were "fair" and none were "unsatisfactory".
As a result of the inspection the school and education authority have been asked to take action to improve pupils’ achievements, learning and teaching, and meeting the
needs of all pupils. In doing so they should take account of the need to:
· raise attainment in writing and mathematics;
· continue to improve learning and teaching consistently across classes;
· make better use of assessment information to track pupils’ progress and meet the needs of all.
The school and education authority have been asked to prepare an action plan indicating how they will address the main findings in the report, and to share the plan with parents and carers. Within two years of the report parents and carers will be informed about the progress made by the school.
Commenting on the report, Donald Duncan, Director of Educational Services said, “New Elgin Primary School and all those associated with it are to be commended on their very good work as reported by HMIE. I am pleased to see that the clear emphasis on continuous improvement, the strong commitment to standards of social behaviour and improving learning, teaching and attainment has been highlighted by Inspectors. I believe that the school, under the leadership of the Head Teacher, Liz Manley, is well placed to address the main points for action”.
Councillor Alasdair Urquhart, Chairman of the Moray Council's Educational Services Committee added, “This is clearly a very good report and one that gives encouragement to everyone involved. The New Elgin community is being well served by its local school and it is good to see the hard work, which goes on in New Elgin Primary School, being recognised by the Inspectors”.
Local Member Councillor John Divers said, “This is a very good report that serves to reflect the high regard for the school shared by pupils, parents, the School Board and the local community. The professional dedication of Liz Manley and her staff has been fully credited. I offer my congratulations to everyone connected with New Elgin Primary”.
For further information contact Paul Watson (Quality Improvement Officer) Educational Services, the Moray Council, Tel 01343 563119 paul.watson@.moray.gov.uk
Contact: Joyce Pirie, Public Relations Co-ordinator on 01343 563046