St Ronan’s Primary in Bonhill received a glowing report from inspectors, with pupils and staff given top marks following a visit.
Education Scotland published the findings of their visit to the Ladyton school last week, praising: “The outstanding leadership of the headteacher and two highly-effective principal teachers.
“Together they have worked to create a very strong staff team who provide a nurturing and inclusive environment for all children.
“The headteacher and staff have a clear focus on improving learning and teaching. Teachers provide well thought out activities and support for children which is improving their attainment and wellbeing.
“All staff are enthusiastic about improving their own learning and take on lead roles to help improve the school for children. As a result, children are treated equally, and all are included fully in school life.”
The inspection team were also full of praise for youngsters at the school, with the report highlighting their hard work and dedication.
It continues: “Across the school, children are very articulate, kind and supportive. They contribute fully to learning experiences by making decisions about their own learning and providing encouragement to their peers to ensure that others succeed.
“Children have very high levels of attainment and present work to a high standard. Teachers assess children’s needs very well to ensure that all children receive the correct support and challenge to make the best possible progress.
“Led expertly by the headteacher, staff’s approach ensures children’s socio-economic circumstances are not a barrier to high attainment. As a result, almost all children achieve nationally expected levels of attainment.
“The headteacher has shared this highly-effective practice, with a focus on literacy and English, across the learning community and local authority.”
The school was rated as ‘excellent’ under the ‘leadership of change’ criteria, earning ‘very good’ ratings for learning, teaching and assessment, ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion and raising attainment and achievement.
During the inspection, inspectors spoke with kind, supportive and very articulate children who contributed fully to their learning by making decisions and providing encouragement to their peers to ensure that others succeed.
Under areas for development teachers are urged to continue to extend the learning opportunities for all children in the area of food and nutrition.
The inspectors are also keen to see more opportunities for children to experience learning that links across different subjects.
They said: “In doing this, they should continue to support children to build on their skills effectively across the curriculum as they move through the school.”
However the report concludes: “We are confident that the school has the capacity to continue to improve and so we will make no more visits in connection with this inspection.
“West Dunbartonshire Council will inform parents/carers about the school’s progress as part of its arrangements for reporting on the quality of its schools.”
Councillor Clare Steel, convener of educational services at West Dunbartonshire Council paid tribute to everyone involved in the successful visit.
She said: “I am delighted the excellent work being done at St Ronan’s Primary School has been recognised in this very positive report.
“The report is a well-deserved acknowledgement of the fantastic commitment and hard work being carried out by the headteacher and all the staff in ensuring all children are receiving nurturing and inclusive education.
“Their enthusiasm and dedication to the quality of their children’s education is to be commended.”
Councillor John Millar, vice -convener of educational services added: “I would like to congratulate the staff, children, parents and carers of St Ronan’s Primary school on this excellent report and the outstanding achievement by the headteacher and her staff.
“The report rightly highlights the leadership, commitment and dedication to ensuring children are not only learning, but thanks to their efforts, are also achieving.
“I am delighted to see that all of their hard work has been recognised.”
