Arrochar Primary School has received a glowing report card from inspectors - with ‘very good’ ratings given all round.
The village school was visited by Education Scotland officers in January, and the published findings have rated learning, teaching and assessment and raising attainment and achievement as very good at both primary and nursery level.
The report also recognised pupils’ awareness of the school’s setting in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
Inspectors also recognised progress in language, early numeracy and health and well-being.
The report said: “Almost all children are calm, settled and show sustained engagement in their play. Staff are responsive to children’s needs, feelings and interests. Routines are flexible, and children choose to play indoors or outside.
“The setting’s unique outdoor environment offers a wide selection of risky play activities, loose parts, gardening, and opportunities to develop a range of physical skills.
“Staff are in the process of developing a newly created outdoor space that provides better free-flow access from the playroom.
“The learning spaces inside the playroom are very well organised and support children’s independence very well and encourage exploration and creativity.
"A next step for staff is to extend the use of digital technologies, such as tablets and cameras, to allow children to document their own progress in learning.”
The inspectors added: “Children contribute very well to the life of Arrochar Primary School and ELC class, and their wider community. They develop a broad range of skills through creative and meaningful opportunities, including high-quality outdoor learning.
“Practitioners work very effectively with community partners and organisations when planning and providing learning experiences linked across curricular areas. Children are rightly very proud of their achievements.”
“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.
“Argyll and Bute Council will inform parents/carers about the school’s progress as part of its arrangements for reporting on the quality of its schools.
Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, Policy Lead for Education, said: “Well done to everyone at Arrochar Primary School and ELC on receiving such a positive inspection report.
“We are committed to driving forward improvements in all our schools and ELCs to improve opportunities for our children and young people.
“It’s clear that we have dedicated colleagues who work in partnership with parents, partners and the local community who together, help the children achieve their aims and goals. Thank you to everyone for all your hard work.”
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