St Stephen's RC Primary School receives positive inspection report
An inspection report published this week (Tuesday 24th January 2012) makes a positive assessment of the quality of education provided by St Stephen's RC Primary School in Blairgowrie.
Specific strengths identified in the inspection of the school were its well-behaved pupils who were keen to learn as well as they could, caring staff who worked together to help each child develop as an individual, high-quality support for youngsters with additional learning needs and the headteacher's leadership in gaining active community support for the school's work.
Key areas of St Stephen?s education provision were rated against national quality indicators, with learners' experiences, how pupils' learning needs were met and improvement through self-evaluation assessed as 'very good', while improvements in performance and the curriculum were considered to be 'good'.
Almost all youngsters at St Stephen's were found to be motivated learners, who work well in groups to share ideas and increasingly take responsibility for planning their work with their teachers. Most were making good progress in all areas of learning, with well judged plans to improve attainment put in place by the school, especially in writing. Children's literacy and numeracy skills were being developed in relevant and meaningful ways linking across the broad curriculum.
Staff working hard to support children's progress
Throughout the school, teaching staff help pupils to think about their learning, enabling them to identify their strengths as learners and understand how they can improve on their work. Staff have been asked to develop this by building on existing good practice to assist children to further personalise their learning goals, so that each pupil's individual progress is clearer.
Inspectors considered that staff knew children very well and took their shared responsibility to support and develop pupils seriously, with particularly strong support given to youngsters needing additional help. Teachers provided a wide range of activities, tasks and resources to meet the varying needs of children, especially in English language and mathematics. The report notes the inspectors' confidence that teaching staff will continue to build on how they already assess children's learning to ensure all have suitable challenge in their work. Pupils had good opportunities to develop personal and social skills through membership of school committees and participation in school and community events.
St Stephen's was considered to very effectively monitor and improve the quality of education it delivers in a range of ways, with contributions from all involved including pupils and parents. Inspectors felt the strong and sensitive leadership of the headteacher was supporting the school to continue providing a happy and positive learning environment. As a result, they will make no further visits in connection with this inspection. The Council and the school will work together on areas identified by HMI where continued improvement could be made.
Lifelong Learning Convener, Councillor Liz Grant said: "I am delighted that HMI have found much in their report to praise at St Stephen's. There is a strong focus at the school on everyone contributing to improvement and the headteacher and her team are leading this process very effectively. The significant involvement of pupils in planning their learning and considering where they can improve is also notable and I am sure this will continue to develop. Congratulations to the school community for this very positive report!"
