Glowing report for Lossie primary

A Lossiemouth primary school has been given a glowing report by inspectors.

Eight areas on which the inspectors focused during their visit to Hythehill Primary were judged as very good and six as good, with only one – the standard of accommodation and facilities – considered to be merely adequate.

The inspectors were so impressed by the school’s high performance, its strong record of improvement and the very effective leadership that they do not intend to carry out any follow-up visits.

The school and nursery class were inspected in October as part of a national sample of primary and nursery education.

The report, published today, said the school provided a high standard of education for pupils in a caring and inclusive environment and standards of attainment at the primary stages were good overall.

Head teacher Hazel McPherson provided very good leadership and was very committed to the school and its community and had a clear vision for developing and improving provision.

She was ably supported by the two depute heads who held appropriate remits relating to stage responsibilities and quality assurance.

“Staff, pupils and parents were very proud of their school,” said the report. “Almost all pupils were very polite, well behaved and got on well with each other and with their teachers.

“All children were treated equally and with equal concern and staff promoted racial equality very effectively.

“Pupils with additional support needs were very well integrated into the life of the school.”

Staff also set high standards of behaviour for pupils and older pupils supported younger children very well.

The report said the school had also established very good relationships with parents and the local community.

“Parents were very positive about the work of the school and felt their children enjoyed being at school and that teachers set high standards for attainment.

“Almost all pupils enjoyed being at the school and thought the school helped them to keep safe and healthy.”

Inspectors found that at the primary stages the curriculum was very good, as was the quality of teaching.

“Almost all lessons were interesting, engaging and proceeded at a brisk pace,” said the report. “Teachers were very well organised and their classrooms were bright and stimulating environments for learning.”

Moray Council’s educational services director, Donald Duncan, said: “This is a very good and well deserved report.

“It reflects the strong teamwork, professional commitment and effective leadership throughout the school and, in particular, that of Hazel McPherson, the head teacher.

“The entire school community can be well satisfied with this report and the work of Hythehill Primary School.”

Councillor Jeff Hamilton, joint chairman of Moray Council’s education and social services committee, said it was an excellent report which identified many key strengths.

“I visited the school recently and was impressed with what I saw,” he said.

“I saw a happy and welcoming school where pupils and staff alike were getting on with the day-to-day business of education. Everyone involved during the inspection should be congratulated.”