TOP MARKS FOR ST JAMES’ PRIMARY
Positive report card from education inspectors
St James’ Primary has received a glowing report from government inspectors – with the school being rated ‘good’ across two key indicators.
A team from Education Scotland visited the Renfrew school in Brown Street earlier this year to speak to staff, pupils and parents.
Its report was issued yesterday and it ranks the school as ‘good’ for learning, teaching and assessment, and for raising attainment and achievement.
In the report, inspectors praise the school and commented on the following:
• The nurturing ethos, which promotes inclusive and supportive relationships across the school,
• Children who are articulate, well behaved and respectful of each other, highlighting that they are proud of their school and are keen to learn,
• Effective teamwork, led by headteacher Natalie Fitzsimmons and her senior leadership team - they empower all staff to engage in professional learning and research to improve experiences and outcomes for children and,
• The approach to developing a culture of reading by providing a range of activities for children and their parents, including a well stocked school library and an environment rich in books.
They have also suggested the school could further improve by continuing to develop highquality learning and teaching approaches, and by continuing to raise attainment in literacy and numeracy for all children.
As the inspectors are happy the school has the capacity to improve with no more visits are planned.
Headteacher Natalie Fitzsimmons said: “It’s great news for the pupils and staff that our school has received a positive inspection result.
“Recognising our nurture approach and literacy work is fantastic.
“Our pupils’ have developed an immense love of reading and that’s a solid foundation to build upon and improve attainment for all within our school.”
Councillor Jim Paterson, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, added: “This is a great inspection report and is testament to the hard work of the staff and whole school community.
“I am delighted for them. “Encouraging children to read and improving literacy is a big focus across all our schools and it is pleasing to see this is one of the areas in which the inspectors praised the team at St James.
“We have high ambitions for our schools and for this inspection report to be released one week after Gryffe High became the first secondary in Scotland to receive an ‘excellent’ grade under the short model inspection format shows the consistently high standards acro s s Renfrewshire.”
This is a great inspection report and is testament to the hard work of the staff and whole school