10 February 2020

Inspectors commend Meiklemill pupils for being "ready to learn"

Inspectors have praised Meiklemill Primary School pupils for being ‘happy, enthusiastic and ready to learn’ following an inspection.

Education Scotland also acknowledged the school’s efforts in creating partnerships with community groups, partner agencies and parents and encouraging them to become involved in supporting children’s learning.

The positive approach to inclusion and equality in the school and nursery and the encouragement and celebration of children’s achievements were also highlighted in the report.

The school received a “very good” rating for ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion and “good” ratings for leadership of change, learning teaching and assessment, and raising attainment and achievement.

The nursery was considered “good” for quality of care and support and quality of staffing. It also received a “good” rating for ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion and “satisfactory” for leadership of change, learning teaching and assessment and securing children’s progress.

Cllr Gillian Owen, Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee chair, said: “I would like to congratulate head teacher Jonathan Cordiner and his team on this inspection. I am really pleased to see the inspectors acknowledged the children and young people are keen to learn and that the school and nursery is working well with the local community.”

Committee vice chair Cllr Rosemary Bruce added: “This is an encouraging inspection which the school, pupils and parents should be pleased with. Whilst there are areas the inspectors said need to be enhanced, there are plenty of positive points too. I am pleased to read that Education Scotland is confident that Meiklemill School will address the elements that require improvement and build upon the strengths. Aberdeenshire Council officers will continue working with the school to achieve improvements.”

Inspectors highlighted raising attainment, developing better links between the school and nursery and reviewing and updating the curriculum in line with national benchmarks. However, inspectors were satisfied that the school required no further visits in connection with the inspection.